# Myokensan (Nose Myokensan)

> Nose Myokensan is a Nichiren-sect temple at the 660-metre summit of Mount Myoken, on the border between Osaka and Hyogo prefectures. A branch hall of Tokyo's Shinnyo-ji, it enshrines Myoken Bosatsu, the deity of the North Star and Big Dipper. The grounds include the Seirei worship hall, a glass-and-steel building designed by architect Shin Takamatsu in 1998, and offer views over the Osaka plain that are popular during the autumn foliage.

- Prefecture: Osaka
- Type: Temple
- Address: Nose, Osaka, Japan
- Official site: https://www.myoken.org/

Nose Myokensan is one of the main centres of Myoken faith, the worship of the North Star and Big Dipper, and is visited as a fortune and power spot; Myoken is also revered as a deity of beauty and the performing arts. Its most distinctive feature is the Seirei hall, a ship-shaped building of glass and steel completed in 1998 by the architect Shin Takamatsu to evoke the descent of Myoken Bosatsu; it won a BCS architecture award the following year and is unusual among Japanese temple halls. The precinct sits at the 660 metre summit on the Osaka and Hyogo border, so a visit combines the temple, wide views over the Osaka plain, and mountain air, with autumn foliage the busiest season. Since the Myoken no Mori cable car and chairlift closed at the end of 2023, most visitors now come by car up the toll road or by the Nose Electric Railway and a hike or bus.

## FAQ

### How do I get to Nose Myokensan?

Note that the Myoken no Mori cable car and chair lift closed permanently on 3 December 2023, so they are no longer an option. The easiest way now is by car, driving up the Nose Myokensan toll road to the hilltop parking area. By train, take the Hankyu line from Umeda to Kawanishi-noseguchi, transfer to the Nose Electric Railway to Myoken-guchi Station, then continue by bus toward the Hyogo (Kurokawa) side and walk, or hike up to the summit.

### What is Nose Myokensan known for?

It is known for star worship: the temple enshrines Myoken Bosatsu, the deity associated with the North Star and Big Dipper, and people visit to pray for protection and good fortune. It is also known for the Seirei hall, a glass-and-steel worship building shaped like a ship designed by architect Shin Takamatsu in 1998. The mountaintop precinct straddles the Osaka and Hyogo prefecture border.

### Are there entry fees, and when is the best time to visit?

Visiting the temple grounds is free. Autumn is the most popular time for the foliage, while the views over the Osaka plain are clear on fine days year-round. Because the precinct sits at 660 metres, the summit is noticeably cooler and weather can change quickly, so bring a layer and check conditions before you go.

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Source: Myokensan (Nose Myokensan) — Japan Voyage