Sennyu-ji Temple (泉涌寺) is the grand head temple of Shingon sect Senyuji school located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City.
The honorific mountain prefix is ‘Tozan (東山).’
Its principal images are Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来), Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来) and Miroku Nyorai (弥勒如来), which are known as known as ‘Sanze-Butsu (三世仏).’
Because this temple was a family temple of the Imperial Family for a long time, it is also called Mi-tera (御寺).
History of Sennyu-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
It is said that this temple was founded in 856 of the Heian period by Shinshu Shonin (神修上人).
The high priest Shunjyo completed the temple buildings after returning from Sung dynasty (China) in 1218.
At that time, it is said that a sacred fountain gushed out in the precinct.
So, the temple was renamed ‘Sennyu-ji’ which has the meaning of the flowing fountain.
After that, Sennyu-ji prospered as a training hall for Yonshu kengaku (learning the four sects of the Ritsu, Mitsu, Zen and Pure Land).
Since Emperor Shijo’s demise in 1242 and his mausoleum’s construction on the precinct, it became the family temple of the imperial family.
After that, it was designated as an Imperial mausoleum, Koge-ji temple (general name for temples where ihai or ancestral tablets are enshrined) and relations with the Imperial House was deepened.
Information for visitors
Address：27, Sennyuji Yamanochicho, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 605-0977, Japan
Phone：+81-75-561-1551
Foundation：856
Founder：Shinshu Shonin (神修上人)
Sect：Shingon Sect Sennyu-ji School (真言宗泉涌寺派)
Principal image：Sanze-Butsu (三世仏)
Its precincts require an admission fee.
■Open
| March – November | 9:00～16:30（17:00 closed） |
| December – February | 9:00～16:00（16:30 closed） |
■Admission fee
| Regular fee | Additional fee | |
| Adults | 500 yen | 300 yen |
| Junior high school student or younger | 300 yen | free |
Regular fee is necessary to enter the precincts.
Additional fee is necessary to enter the Gozasho and garden.
・Photography and video recording are prohibited inside the building of this temple.
・The worship method of a Shinto shrine and a Buddhist temple, please refer to the following article.
Next, Let’s go to see the highlights of this temple with me!
Highlights of Sennyu-ji
・「*」Regular fee spot
・「**」Additional fee spot
・「***」Private spot
- 総門:So-mon gate
- 大門【重要文化財】:Dai-mon gate【Important cultural property】
- 仏殿【重要文化財】*:Butsu-den hall【Important cultural property】*
- 舎利殿*:Shari-den hall*
- 勅使門*:Chokushi-mon gate*
- 御座所**:Gozasho**
- 御座所庭園**:Gozasho garden**
- 海絵堂**:Kaie-do hall**
- 霊明殿***:Reimei-den hall***
- 月輪陵*:Tsukinowa-no-misasagi*
- 開山堂【重要文化財】***:Kaisan-do hall【Important cultural property】***
- 浴室*:Yokushitsu (bathing room)*
- 泉涌水屋形*:Sennyusuiyakata*
- 楊貴妃観音堂*:Yokihi-Kannon-do*
- 心照殿*:Shinsho-den hall*
- 鎮守社*:Chinju-sha Shrine*
- 解脱金剛宝塔*:Gedatsu-kongo-hoto pagoda*
総門:So-mon gate
大門【重要文化財】:Dai-mon gate【Important cultural property】
仏殿【重要文化財】*:Butsu-den hall【Important cultural property】*
It is the structure rebuilt in 1668 of the Edo period owing to the donation made by Ietsuna TOKUGAWA (徳川家綱).
Sanze-Butsu (三世仏) of the principal image of this temple is enshrined.
舎利殿*:Shari-den hall*
It was relocated from Kyoto Imperial Palace and rebuilt in 1668 of the Edo period.
勅使門*:Chokushi-mon gate*
It was rebuilt in 1845 of the Edo period.
御座所**:Gozasho**
It was rebuilt in 1884 of the Meiji period.
Additional fee is necessary to enter this building.
御座所庭園**:Gozasho garden**
Additional fee is necessary to enter this garden.
海絵堂**:Kaie-do hall**
It was rebuilt in 1873 of the Meiji period.
Additional fee is necessary to enter this building.
霊明殿***:Reimei-den hall***
It was rebuilt in 1884 of the Meiji period.
Houses the Buddhist mortuary tablets of successive emperors from Emperor Tenchi and Emperor Konin to Emperor Showa (including emperors of both northern and southern imperial courts) and their wives.
月輪陵*:Tsukinowa-no-misasagi*
It is the Imperial mausoleum called Tsukinowa-no-misasagi.
The inner area is not ordinarily open to the public.
開山堂【重要文化財】***:Kaisan-do hall【Important cultural property】***
浴室*:Yokushitsu (bathing room)*
It was rebuilt in 1897 of the Meiji period.
It has the role of the bathroom that cleanses the body for ascetic practices.
泉涌水屋形*:Sennyusuiyakata*
It was rebuilt in 1668 of the Edo period.
楊貴妃観音堂*:Yokihi-Kannon-do*
Wooden sitting statue of Kannon (Yokihi Kannon) is enshrined.
心照殿*:Shinsho-den hall*
A museum adjoining the Yokihi-Kannon-do (Empress Yang-Avalokitesvara Hall) that sequentially displays the cultural properties possessed by Sennyu-ji Temple and its sub-temples.
鎮守社*:Chinju-sha Shrine*
It is the Chinju-sha shrine (Shinto shrine on Buddhist temple grounds dedicated to the tutelary deity of the area) of the Sennyu-ji.
解脱金剛宝塔*:Gedatsu-kongo-hoto pagoda*
Sub-temples of Sennyu-ji
- 今熊野観音寺(Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple)
- 雲龍院(Unryu-in Temple)
- 来迎院(Raigo-in Temple)
- 善能寺(Zenno-ji Temple)
- 新善光寺(Shinzenko-ji Temple)
- 戒光寺(Kaiko-ji Temple)
- 法音院(Hoon-in Temple)
- 即成院(Sokujo-in Temple)
- 悲田院(Hiden-in Temple)
今熊野観音寺(Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple)
It was founded in 807 of the Heian period by Kobo-Daishi Kukai (弘法大師空海).
The principal image is Juichimen Kannon Bosatsu (十一面観世音菩薩).
It was founded in 1372 of the period of Northern and Southern Courts by Emperor Gokogon (後光厳天皇).
The principal image is Yakushi Nyorai (薬師如来).
▽Visit report▽
It was founded in 806 of the Heian period by Kobo-Daishi Kukai (弘法大師空海).
The principal image is Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来).
It was founded in 823 of the Heian period by Kobo-Daishi Kukai (弘法大師空海).
The principal image is Sho Kannon (聖観音).
It was founded in 1243 of the Kamakura period by Chigan Nensai (値願念西).
The principal image is Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来).
It was founded in 1228 of the Kamakura period by Jogo Donsho (浄業曇照).
The principal image is Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来).
It was founded in 1326 of the Kamakura period by Munin Nyodo (無人如導).
The principal image is Fukukensaku Kannon (不空羂索観音).
It was founded in the Heian period by TACHIBANA no Toshitsuna (橘俊綱).
The principal image is Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来).
It was founded in 1326 of the Kamakura period by Munin Nyodo (無人如導).
The principal image is Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来).
Video of Sennyu-ji
Photos of Sennyu-ji
Goshuin (red ink stamp) of Sennyu-ji
Temple’s Goshuin is ‘Reimeiden (霊明殿)’ which is the name of the building to enshrine the spirits of successive Emperors.
It is the Yokihi-Kannon-do’s goshuin.
How to get to Sennyu-ji
Nearest station is Keihan Railway or JR Tofukuji Station.
(We can also go by bus from JR Kyoto Station and Keihan Gion-Shijo Station.)
From Osaka Sta. to Tofukuji Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.
2.Change to the JR Nara Line at Kyoto Station.
3.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Namba Sta. to Tofukuji Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Umeda Station.
2.Change to the JR Kyoto Line at Osaka Station.
3.Get on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.
4.Change to the JR Nara Line at Kyoto Station.
5.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Tofukuji Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Tofukuji Sta. (on foot)
It’s about 25 minutes (1.2 km) on foot.
Get on a bus from Kyoto Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
①Please get on the Kyoto City Bus No.208 or 88 (bus stop D2) and get off at Sennyuji-michi (Sennyuji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination
-No. 208[Bound for Tofukuji Temple]
-No. 88[Bound for Tofukuji Temple](Only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta. [D2]
Alighting bus stop：Sennyuji-michi (Sennyuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 15 min
[Timetable]No. 208[Bound for Tofukuji Temple]
[Timetable]No. 88[Bound for Tofukuji Temple](Only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
Get on a bus from Gion-shijo Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
①Please get on the Kyoto City Bus No.2078 (Shijo Keihan-mae [A]bus stop) and get off at Sennyuji-michi (Sennyuji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No. 207[Bound for Tofukuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple]
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Keihan-mae [A]
Alighting bus stop：Sennyuji-michi (Sennyuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 15 min
[Timetable]No. 207[Bound for Tofukuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple]
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 1,000 yen ~ (about 10 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：about 1,500 yen ~ (about 15 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
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip! XD
