Koryu-ji Temple, located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, is a Buddhist temple belonging to the Shingon Sect (真言宗).
It served as the ujidera (temple devoted to a clan’s guardian deity) of the Hata clan (秦氏) of naturalized citizens, is said to have been founded in 603 is the oldest temple in Kyoto, originating since before the relocation of the capital city to Heian-kyo (平安京).
It is also one of the seven major temples constructed by Prince Shotoku (聖徳太子).
The temple is known for its statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya (弥勒菩薩) sitting contemplatively in the half-lotus position, the Japan’s first national treasure.
History of Koryu-ji
Let’s study the history of this temple with me.
I think that we can enjoy sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Koryu-ji Temple is the oldest temple in Kyoto.
It is said to have been founded in 603, has a history of over 1400 years.
Its honorific mountain prefix is ‘Hachiokasan. (蜂岡山)’
It is also known by the names Hachioka-dera, Hoko-ji, Hatanokimi-dera and Uzumasa-dera.
It is known for its statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya (弥勒菩薩) sitting contemplatively in the half-lotus position, a National Treasure, and is one of the seven major temples constructed by Prince Shotoku (聖徳太子).
Seven major temples constructed by Prince Shotoku
According to the tradition, Prince Shotoku erected seven large temples in japan, and they are called ‘The seven major temples constructed by Prince Shotoku’.
Koryu-ji Temple is also one of them.
Seven major temples constructed by Prince Shotoku are as follows.
- Koryu-ji (Kyoto)
- Horyu-ji (Nara)
- Hokki-ji (Nara)
- Chugu-ji (Nara)
- Tachibana-dera (Nara)
- Katsuragi-ji (Nara)
- Shitenno-ji (Osaka)
Information for visitors
Information
Address：32, Uzumasa Hachiokacho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 616-8162, Japan
Phone：+81-75-861-1461
Foundation：603
Founder：HATA no Kawakatsu (秦河勝)
Sect：Shingon Sect (真言宗)
Principal image：Prince Shotoku (聖徳太子)
Open (Shin-Reiho-den Hall)
9:00~17:00 (change with the seasons)
Admission Fee (Shin-Reiho-den Hall)
| Adults | 800 yen |
| High school students | 500 yen |
| Junior high school students or younger | 400 yen |
Other information
・Please ask temple’s staff where you can take photos and videos.
・Worship method of a shinto shrine and a buddhist temple, please refer to the following article.
Next, Let’s go to see highlights of this temple with me!
Highlights of Koryu-ji
- 楼門(Ro-mon Gate)
- 上宮王院太子殿(Joguo-in Taishi-den Hall)
- 講堂:重要文化財(Ko-do Hall:Important Cultural Property)
- 新霊宝殿*(Shin Reiho-den Hall)*
- 旧霊宝殿*(Kyu Reiho-den Hall)*
- 薬師堂(Yakushi-do Hall)
- 能楽堂(Nohgaku-do Hall)
- 地蔵堂(Jizo-do Hall)
- 太秦殿(Uzumasa-den Hall)
- 書院(Shoin Hall)
- 弁天社(Benten-sha Shrine)
- 大酒神社(Osake-jinja Shrine)
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
楼門(Ro-mon Gate)
Ro-mon Gate (built in 1702)
It has a pair of wooden statues of the Deva Kings.
上宮王院太子殿(Joguo-in Taishi-den Hall)
Joguo-in Taishi-den Hall (rebuilt in 1730)
This building has the role of the main hall of this temple.
講堂:重要文化財(Ko-do Hall:Important Cultural Property)
Ko-do Hall (rebuilt in 1165)
It was designated as an important cultural property.
This building is said to be the oldest wooden building in Kyoto.
新霊宝殿*(Shin Reiho-den Hall)*
Numerous cultural properties are stored and exhibited in the Shin Reiho-den hall (treasure hall).
旧霊宝殿*(Kyu Reiho-den Hall)*
薬師堂(Yakushi-do Hall)
Standing Statue of Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来) (Important Cultural Property) is enshrined in it.
能楽堂(Nohgaku-do Hall)
地蔵堂(Jizo-do Hall)
Statue of Haraobi Jizo (腹帯地蔵) (Jizo with maternity girdle) is enshrined in it.
太秦殿(Uzumasa-den Hall)
HATA no Kawakatsu (秦河勝) who was the founder of this temple is enshrined in it.
書院(Shoin Hall)
Inside of this building is not open to the public now.
弁天社(Benten-sha Shrine)
・大酒神社(Osake-jinja Shrine)
This shrine is Garanjin (伽藍神) located in the east side of Koryu-ji.
Garanjin means a deity that guards temples.
Qin Shi Huang (first emperor of unified China) is enshrined in it.
Video of Koryu-ji
Photo of Koryu-ji
Goshuin (red ink stamp) of Koryu-ji
Goshuin is “弥勒菩薩 (Miroku-Bosatsu/Maitreya)” which is one of the principal image of this temple.
How to get to Koryu-ji
Nearest station is Randen Uzumasa-Koryuji station.
We can also go by bus from Hankyu Kawaramachi station or Keihan Gion-shijo station.
From Umeda (Osaka) Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Hankyu Kyoto Line from Umeda Station to Saiin Station and change to the Randen Arashiyama Line.
2.Get on the Randen Arashiyama Line from Sai Station to Uzumasa-Koryuji Station.
From Namba Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji-Line from Namba Station to Umeda Station and change to the Hankyu Kyoto Line.
2.Get on the Hankyu Kyoto Line from Umeda Station to Saiin Station and change to the Randen Arashiyama Line.
3.Get on the Randen Arashiyama Line from Sai Station to Uzumasa-Koryuji Station.
From Kyoto Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma-Line from Kyoto Station to Karasumaoike Station and change to the Kyoto City Subway Tozai-Line.
2.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Tozai-Line from Karasumaoike Station to Uzumasa-Tenjingawa Station and change to the Randen Arashiyama Line.
3.Get on the Randen Arashiyama Line from Uzumasa-Tenjingawa Station to Uzumasa-Koryuji Station.
From Uzumasa-Koryuji Station (on foot)
Get on a bus from Kawaramachi Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.11 (Shijo Kawaramachi [D]) and get off Uzumasa Koryuji-mae.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：11/Bound for Saga Arashiyama (嵐山･嵯峨･山越)
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Kawaramachi [D] (四条河原町D)
Alighting bus stop：Uzumasa Koryuji-mae (太秦広隆寺前)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 33 min
Get on a bus from Gion-shijo Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.11 (Shijo Keihan-mae [C]) and get off Uzumasa Koryuji-mae.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：11/Bound for Saga Arashiyama (嵐山･嵯峨･山越)
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Keihan-mae [C] (四条京阪前C)
Alighting bus stop：Uzumasa Koryuji-mae (太秦広隆寺前)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 48 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：About 3,000 yen (15 minutes)
From Arashiyama Station：About 1,200 yen (10 minutes)
・Let’s show a taxi driver the following phrase.
・If you want to call a taxi, let’s show the following phrase.
[Phone number of taxi dispatch : Around the Kyoto Station]*Japanese text only.
Hotel search & reservation around Koryu-ji Temple
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
