Chionji Temple

Chionji Temple (智恩寺), located at the southern entrance of the Amanohashidate Sandbar, is part of the Rinzai School of Japanese Zen Buddhism. The temple is famous for housing one of Japan's "Three Important Statues of Monju Bosatsu," the Buddhist god of wisdom. Visitors, especially students, come to pray for wisdom and success in academics and life. Special fortunes in the shape of folding fans are sold and often left hanging from pine trees around the temple grounds.

The temple complex also features a large entrance gate and a two-story tahoto pagoda built in the 1500s, which is the oldest structure on the grounds. Chionji Temple is also home to the tomb of Izumi Shikibu, a renowned female poet from the Heian Period, adding historical and cultural significance to this peaceful site.