Shigisan Senju-in

Shigisan Senju-in is the oldest tatchu (sub-temple) on Mt. Shigi and historically the residence of successive abbots of Chogosonshi-ji, Japan's oldest place of worship to the deity Bishamonten. The temple was opened in 902 by Myoren Shonin, the priest who prayed for Emperor Daigo's recovery and received from the Emperor the imperial designation "Chogosonshi-ji" for the entire Mt. Shigi complex. Old records describe Senjuin as "the head household of Mt. Shigi"; abbots of Gyokuzo-in and Jofuku-in were originally dispatched from Senjuin's own line of disciples. The temple's most extraordinary inheritance is its Bishamonten goma fire, which has burned without interruption for over 1,100 years and continues to be performed daily by the resident priests. Lodging is divided into the Honkan — Shigisan's second-oldest building (the oldest is the Tahoto pagoda), built in the Edo period and famous for its painted fusuma sliding doors and undulating Taisho-period glass — and the modern Shinkan, which adds a 150-person large hall and the 60-seat Daihikaku training room used for zazen and group retreats. Across both wings there are 13 tatami guest rooms (6–12 tatami) suitable for solo travellers, couples and groups. Senjuin also holds the only pond-strolling garden on Mt. Shigi, attributed to the warrior, tea master and architect Kobori Enshu, who is said to have designed it during the Sengoku-era reconstruction of the mountain temples by Katagiri Katsumoto. Shukubo rates are 13,200–35,000 yen per person with two meals depending on occupancy. Practice menu includes zazen, shakyo (sutra copying), shabutsu (Buddha tracing) at 5,000 yen each, with optional waterfall ablution (taki-gyo) for advanced participants. Day language is Japanese.