The shrine is one of the major three Benzaiten shrines (or temples) in Japan and is also called “Omine Hongu” (the main shrine of Omine). The Benzaiten here is also famous as a deity of water and performing arts.

Noh is performed at the stage of the main shrine building on the day of the annual grand festival. From 19:00 on July 16th, the eve of the main festival, “Yoimiya” festival will be held including the dedication of musical performance.

　Date: Saturday, July 17, 2010  From 10:00
 　　　　(Noh performance starts at 13:00.)
　Location: Tenkawa Daibenzaitensha Shrine, Tenkawa-mura
　Access: At Kintetsu Shimoichiguchi Station, take a bus for
　　　　　“Dorogawa Onsen” and get off at “Tenkawa Kawai”.
　　　　　Then take another bus for “Nakaiosumi” and get off
 　　　　　at “Tenkawa Daibenzaitensha”. The shrine is close
 　　　　　to the bus stop.

The water lily ceremony is one of the three major events of Kinpusenji Temple. It is said that Ennogyoja, the founder of the temple was given a first bath with the water from a pond in Okuda, Yamatotakada City. Water lilies from that site are brought by a party of mountain ascetics for this ceremony. The party is welcomed by monks of Zaodo Hall and a giant frog mounted on a drum platform, forming a large procession that walks through Yoshinoyama toward Zaodo Hall where the ceremony is held.

The frog-hopping ceremony is based on a myth. Long time ago, a man was climbing the Kinpusen mountain range and insulted the teaching of Buddhism. As a result of his behavior, he was snatched away by a big eagle to a towering cliff. When he repented, a high priest passed by and changed him into a frog and rescued him. Later the priest changed the frog back into a man using the supernatural power of the deity Zaogongen.

　Date: Wednesday, July 7, 2010

　Location: Zaodo Hall of Kinpusenji Temple, Yoshinoyama,
　　　　　　　Yoshino-cho
　Access: Take the ropeway in front of Kintetsu Yoshino Station
 　　　　　　and get off at Yoshinoyama, then walk 10 minutes.
　Contact: 0746-32-8371 (Zaodo of Kinpusenji Temple)

Being closely related to Prince Shotoku, the year of the tiger has a special meaning for this temple. This year 2010 falls on the year of the tiger according to the zodiac calendar, and for the first time in twelve years, the secret principal image “the standing statue of Bishamonten” will be specially exhibited. The grand festival commemorating the emergence of Bishamonten will take place on July 3rd.

　Dates: Thursday, July 1 – Thursday, July 15, 2010   9:00 – 16:00
　Location: Chogosonshiji Temple on Mt. Shigi, Shigisan,
　　　　　　　Heguri-cho, Ikoma-gun
　Fee: ￥1,000 (for seeing Okuhibutsu)
　Access: Take a bus for “Shigisan” at Kintetsu Shigisanshita
 　　　　　　Station and get off at the terminus. Then walk 15 minutes.
 　　　　　　Alternatively, take a bus for “Mimuroen-higashiguchi”
　　　　　　at JR Sango Station and get off at “Shigisan” and walk
　　　　　　15 minutes.