Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto

Ninnaji Temple in Kyoto

Ninnaji Temple is a representative and well-known temple in Kyoto. It was founded in 888. The temple has 90,000 square meters in area.

Ninnaji Temple is a historical and traditional temple. Also, Ninnaji Temple is well-known to Japanese, because of the well-known essay, "Tsurezure-Gusa", written by YOSHIDA Kenko (1283? - 1352?) , at the end of the Kamakura Age (1185 - 1333).

In the essay, he wrote the story of a monk at "Ninnaji" temple in Kyoto who visited Iwashimizu-Hachimangu shrine. He just visited an auxiliary shrine located at the foot of Mt. Otokoyama, where the main Iwashimizu Shrine was located, He regretted it a lot after knowing that the main Iwashimizu Shrine buildings were located on the top of Mt. Otokoyama and said a guide is necessary in everything.

If you walk from Omuro-Ninnaji Station on the Randen Line to the north, you will see the Deva Gate.

The Deva Gate was rebuilt by the third Tokugawa Shogun, TOKUGAWA Iemitsu (1604 - 1651) in 1645. It is designated an important cultural property of Japan. The Deva Gate of Ninnaji Temple is said one of three major temple gate in Kyoto. Other two major gates are at Chionin and Nanzenji Temples.

Please refer the page of Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kansai/NanzenjiTemple_E.html

The statues of Deva Kings are located on the both side of the gate. They are temple gurdians and look very fierce.

After passing through the Deva Gate, you will see "Honbo Omote-Mon" gate. It was built in the early seventeenth century. "Honbo Omote-Mon" gate is also designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

Emperor Uda (867 - 931) entered the Buddhist priesthood and placed his palace at the south-east area of Ninnaji Temple. "Honbo Omote-Mon" gate is the entrance of the site of the palace.

The original palace buildings were destroyed by fire in 1887 and were rebuilt in 1913 and 1914. There are three main palace buildings at the site of Ninnaji Palace. They are "Shinden", Emperor's residence, "Kuroshoin", private residential quarters, and "Shiroshoin", an official residence where formal events were performed.

The above picture shows the view from "Shiroshoin". "Shinden" is located on your left. In the middle, "Chokushimon" Gate, an gate for Imperial Envoys, is located. You will see the Deva Gate behind "Chokushimon" Gate, on your right.
This scenery seems remain the atmosphere in the Heian Age (794 - 1185).

Behind "Shiroshoin" (to the north), a traditional Japanese landscape garden is located. The garden is a "Chisen" style garden, which has a pond in the middle.

The garden is beautiful. You will enjoy beautiful garden from "Shinden" Palace. The Five-Storied Pagoda behind the garden is very impressive. "Shinden" Palace is very elegant and excellent.

After visiting the site of Ninnaji Palace, you will walk the main alley in Ninnaji Temple to the north. Then, you will pass through "Chumon" gate. "Chumon" gate was built in the early seventeenth century by TOKUGAWA Iemitsu. It is designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

To the north of "Chumon" Gate, you will see the Five-Storied Pagoda on your right. The pagoda was built in 1644 and is also designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

Trees near the Five-Storied Pagoda on your left are "Omuro Zakura", cherry trees, which bloom in the middle of April as an average year, later than other cherry blossoms. The "Omuro-Zakura" in Ninnaji is designated as a national scenic spot of Japan.

At the end of the main alley, you will see "Kondo" Hall, the main hall of Ninnaji Temple. "Kondo" Hall was originally "Shishinden" Palace in the Imperial palace. It was moved to the current location between 1624 and 1643. Because of formality and historical value, "Kondo" Hall is designated as a national treasure of Japan. Amitabha Buddha statues are enshrined in "Kondo" Hall.

To the west of "Kondo" Hall, "Miedo" Hall is located. Emperor UDA, Priest "Kukai" (774 - 835) and Imperial Prince Shoshinho (1005 - 1085) are enshrined at "Miedo" Hall.

Ninnaji Temple belongs to the Shingon Sect in Buddhism, and Prist Kukai was the founder of the sect. Prince Shoshinho was the second head priest of Ninnaji Temple. "Miedo" Hall was rebuilt in the early seventeenth century by using waste woods of "Seiryoden" Hall, the pavilion used as the Emperor's habitual residence in Imperial Palace. "Miedo" Hall is designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

To the east from "Kondo" Hall, "Kyozo" Hall is located. Sutra books of complete Buddhist scriptures are installed.

To the south of "Kondo" Hall, "Kusho-Myojin" Shrine is located. "Kusho-Myojin" Shrine was originally built in 1212 and moved to the current location. "Kusho-Myojin" Shrine has been the guardian god of Ninnaji Temple.

"Kyozo" Hall and "Kusho-Myojin" Shrine were also rebuilt in the early seventeenth century and designated as important cultural properties of Japan. Many temple buildings were rebuilt during that period of time and they now became very important properties after four hundred of yeas have passed.

Ninnaji Temple has high formality and long history. The restoration of Ninnaji Temple by TOKUGAWA Iemitsu in the early seventeenth century inherits the formality and history of Ninnaji Temple to us.
Ninnaji Temple is designated as a world heritage.

How to get there
From downtown Kyoto, take a Randen train, the Arashiyama Main Line of Keifuku Railway to Katabira-no-tsuji. Change a train to Kitano-Hakubaisho. Omuro-Ninnaji Station is the fifth station from Katabira-no-tsuji. From Kyoto Station, take a Kyoto City Bus Route 26 to Omuro-Ninnaji. The bus runs through downtown Kyoto (Shijyo-Karasuma).

Official English site: https://ninnaji.jp/en/

Other Historical Sites near by:
Kosanji Temple
Ryoanji Temple
Myoshinji Temple
Daikakuji Temple
Sagano Area