noun
prayer hall; temple or shrine for petitioning
A temple or shrine, especially one where worshippers come to pray for specific favors or blessings. The term emphasizes the function of offering prayers and making requests.
この祈願所では、毎年多くの人が合格祈願に訪れる。
Every year, many people visit this prayer hall to pray for success in exams.
山のふもとにある祈願所は、安産祈願で有名だ。
The prayer hall at the foot of the mountain is famous for prayers for safe childbirth.
寺 is a general Buddhist temple; 祈願所 can be either a temple or shrine, but emphasizes the act of petitionary prayer.
Compound of 祈願 (kigan, 'prayer' or 'petition') and 所 (sho, 'place'). The reading きがんじょ follows standard on'yomi.