Ninna-ji Temple, Omuro-zakura

The information about Ninna-ji Temple is presented here. Ninna-ji Temple was added to the list of World Heritage Sites in 1994 as a “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)”. Ninna-ji Temple is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto, and Omuro-zakura (cherry tree) has been designated a place of scenic beauty. Ninna-ji Temple has also been selected as one of the top 100 cherry blossom spots in Japan. Omuro-zakura blooms later than Somei-Yoshino, the most popular variety of cherry tree, and can be enjoyed after Somei-Yoshino has passed its best viewing time.

• Temple Location Map ＆ Directions
• Temple History
• Temple Highlights

【Ninna-ji Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 33 Omuro-dairi, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Omuro-Ninnaji bus stop (about 1 minutes on foot), Randen Omuro-Ninnaji Station (about 5 minutes on foot), JR Hanazono Station (about 15 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00 (Mar.-Nov.), 9:00-16:30 (Dec.-Feb.)
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Adults 500 yen, Junior High and Elementary School Students 300 yen

【Ninna-ji Temple History】

Ninna-ji Temple (仁和寺) originated in 886, when the 58th Emperor Koko requested the construction of Nishiyama Gogan-ji Temple (西山御願寺) at the foot of Mt. Ouchi-yama. However, in the following year 887, Emperor Koko died. In 888, the 59th Emperor Uda, son of Emperor Koko, followed his father’s wishes and founded Nishiyama Gogan-ji Temple, which was named Ninna-ji Temple after the era name “Ninna”. In 897, Emperor Uda abdicated to the 60th Emperor Daigo, and in 899 he entered the priesthood and became the first head of Ninna-ji Temple. By the way, Ninna-ji Betsuto was served by the descendants of Emperor Uda for generations. In 899, Endo-in (octagonal hall) was built. In 904, Emperor Uda built a sobo called Omuro (Gozasho) and lived in it, and Ninna-ji Temple became known as Omuro-Gosho. After that, Ninna-ji Temple became a monzeki temple where members of the imperial family have served as monzeki (monk) for generations. Emperor Uda died in 931, and in 952, the 61st Emperor Suzaku moved to Ninna-ji Temple, where he died in August of that year. In 1010, Kannon-in Kancho-do was built at the request of Minamoto no Michiko, the wife of Fujiwara no Michinaga. In 1119, most of the temple buildings including Kondo and Kannon-in were destroyed by fire, and Kondo was rebuilt in December of that year, and Kannon-in was rebuilt in 1122. In 1130, Hokongo-in was built at the request of Taikenmonin, the empress of the 74th Emperor Toba. In 1135, Emperor Toba repaired Ninna-ji Temple, and built Kujyakuou-do in 1144. Mieido is said to have been built in 1211. Ninna-ji Temple maintained its highest status as a monzeki temple during the Heian period (794-1185) and the Kamakura period (1185-1333). In the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), the Onin War (1467-1477) broke out, and many of the temple buildings of Ninna-ji Temple were destroyed by fire. At Ninna-ji Temple, the western army, led by Yamana Sozen, set up camp, while the eastern army led by Hosokawa Katsumoto attacked. The main statue, Amida Sanson, was moved to Shinko-in Temple, a sub-temple of Ninna-ji Temple. It is also said that the base of the temple was moved to Seiho-ji Temple at the western foot of Futarugaoka. In 1591, Hideyoshi Toyotomi Hideyoshi granted 860 koku of land to Ninna-ji Temple, and in 1617, Tokugawa Hidetada, the second shogun of the Edo shogunate, granted 1,500 koku of land to Ninna-ji Temple. In 1634, Kakushin Nyudoshinnou, the first prince of the 107th Emperor Go-Yozei, suggested to Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo Shogunate, who was visiting Kyoto, that Ninna-ji Temple be rebuilt, and he received permission. In 1646, the Kyoto Imperial Palace was rebuilt, so the Shishinden, which became kondo (main hall), the Seiryoden, which became Mieido, and the Otsunegoten, which became Goten were given, and the reconstruction of the temple was completed in 1646. In 1827, Sainin Hoshinnou, established the Omuro 88 Sacred Sites. 1887, Omuro Gosho was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in the Taisho era (1912-1926).
*reference・・・Ninna-ji Temple website

【Ninna-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Kondo (Main Hall, 金堂, National Treasure) was built in 1613 as the Shishinden Hall of the Imperial Palace and moved to Ninna-ji Temple during the Kanei period (1624-1645). Kondo is said to be the oldest remaining structure of the Shishinden of the Imperial Palace. Kondo houses the statues of Amida Sanson, Shitenno, and Bonten. The former main statue of Amida Nyorai was moved to Reihokan.
★Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda, 五重塔, Important Cultural Property) was rebuilt in 1644. Gojyu-no-to is over 35 meters high and is the symbol and landmark of Ninna-ji Temple. Gojyu-no-to houses Dainichi Nyorai, surrounded by Amida Nyorai and other Buddhas of the four directions.
★Mieido (Miei Hall, 御影堂, Important Cultural Property) was built during the Keicho era (1596-1615) as part of the Seiryoden Hall of the Imperial Palace, and was rebuilt during the Kanei era (1624-1645) using materials moved to Ninna-ji Temple. Mieido houses statues the of Kobo-daishi Kukai, the founder of the Shingon sect, the 59th Emperor Uda, and Seishin Nyudoshinnou.
Ninna-ji Temple Highlights

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is around mid-April. About 200 Omuro-Ariake, known as Omuro-zakura (Place of Scenic Beauty), and Somei-Yoshino cherry trees are planted, and the view of the cherry blossoms and Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) is said to be beautiful. Ninna-ji Temple is illuminated every year around the time of the cherry blossoms, and a special night viewing is held. (night illumination, 桜ライトアップ)
仁和寺桜ライトアップ (Ninna-ji Temple night illumination)
★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-November to late November. Maple trees, cherry trees, and other plants are distributed, and it is said that the scenery from Nio-mon to Cyu-mon leading to Kondo is beautiful. Ninna-ji Temple is illuminated every year around the time of autumn leaves, and a special night viewing is held. (night illumination, 紅葉ライトアップ)
仁和寺紅葉ライトアップ (Ninna-ji Temple night illumination)
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-75-461-1155

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Ninna-ji Temple is along the Kinukake-no-michi to Ryoan-ji Temple. Ryoan-ji Temple has a rock garden that is famous in Japan and abroad and can be enjoyed in all four seasons. Further east along Kinukake-no-michi is Kinkaku-ji Temple, and a walk to Kinkaku-ji Temple is also recommended, although the distance is a bit longer. Ninna-ji Temple, Ryoan-ji Temple, and Kinkaku-ji Temple are all World Heritage Sites.

【Remarks (access, parking, disclaimer, etc)】
If you plan to visit Ninna-ji Temple, be sure to check the latest information.