Jingoji Temple

Published on : 19/07/2016
by : Japan Experience

Jingoji Temple: Jingoji Temple, famous for its fall leaves, is located in the Takao district of north west Kyoto close to Kozanji Temple.

Jingoji Temple 神護寺

Jingoji Temple is the most visited temple in the Takao district of north west Kyoto and is usually seen along with Kozanji Temple and Saimyoji Temple which are both very nearby.

Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan. Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan

History

Jingoji was established in 824 and is located in the mountains of Takao off of the winding road that begins at the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), passes the famed stone garden at Ryoanji Temple and Ninnaji Temple, and leads west out of the city to the mountains of Takao.

Jingoji Temple has a number of National Treasures including ancient calligraphy written by the priest Kukai (Kobo Daishi) as well as several important Buddhist statues. Replicas are on show at the temple while the originals are kept at the Kyoto National Museum and Tokyo National Museum.

The two-story Romon (Tower Gate) at Jingoji dates from 1623 in the Edo Period and is one of the few buildings at the temple to have survived the vicissitudes of fire, earthquakes and war. The Bell Tower is the other surviving Edo Period structure.

The Main Hall or Kondo (金堂) was rebuilt in 1934. Its main image is that of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing and Medicine. The life-size Heian Period statue is 170 cm (5 feet 7 inches) tall.

Jingoji is located above the Kiyotaki River in Takao, an upland area famed for its brilliant fall colors. Visitors can purchase special clay plates at the temple and hurl them into the river valley below in an act of purification of throwing away evil.

A steep set of stairs leads up to the temple, with a similar set of stairs running down to the Kiyotaki River with a bridge over the waters.

Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan. Romon Gate, Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan Yakushi Nyorai, Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan

Jingoji Access - Getting To Jingoji Temple

Jingoji Temple is open from 9am - 4pm daily. Take the JR Takao Keihoku Line bus to Yamashiro Takao from Kyoto Station (about 50 minutes). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on this bus.

Alternatively take the number #8 Kyoto city bus from either Shijo Station or Karasuma Station and get off at the Yamashiro Takao bus stop. The temple is not within the Kyoto City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-day Pass (500 yen) zone.

Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan. Entrance Stairs, Jingoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan