Shinsho Gokuraku-ji Temple (真正極楽寺) is a Tendai Sect Buddhist temple located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.

It is also known as Shinnyo-do (真如堂) which is another name of this temple’s Hon-do Hall.

It was founded in 984 of the Heian period by Kaisan (戒算), and its honorific mountain prefix is Mt. Reisho.

The principle image is Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Tathagatae) crafted by Jikaku Daishi, that helps women.

Its precincts are known as a famous place of the cherry blossoms and colored leaves.


History of Shinnyo-do

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


真如堂-総門と石碑

Shinsho Gokuraku-ji was founded in 984 of the Heian period by Kaisan who was a monk of Tendai sect.

However, this temple was destroyed by fire during the Onin War (1467-1477).

It was reconstructed in 1693 of the Edo period at the order of Emperor Higashiyama (the 113th emperor).

And the mail hall was rebuilt in 1717.


真正極楽寺/真如堂-阿弥陀如来像
quoted from the brochure of this temple

The principal image of the main hall is Amida Nyorai which is said to relieve a woman.

So, it was patronized by nenbutsu devotees and common people alike, particularly women.

Information for visitors

■website

■Information

Address:82, Jodoji Shinnyocho, Kyoto Shi Sakyo Ku, Kyoto Fu, 606-8414, Japan
Phone:+81-75-771-0915
Foundation:984
Founder:Kaisan (戒算)
Sect:Tendai Sect(天台宗)
Principal image:Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来)

■Open

9:00~16:00

■Admission Fee

  Adults High school student Junior high student
Normal period 500 yen 300 yen 200 yen
Special period 1000 yen 800 yen 700 yen

Special period (specific days in spring and autumn)

■Other Informations

・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.


真正極楽寺/真如堂-パンフレット

Next, Let’s go to see the highlights of this temple with me!

Highlights of Shinnyo-do

This mark 「*」 is a pay area.

総門:So-mon Gate

真正極楽寺/新世堂-総門

So-mon Gate was built in 1695 of the Edo period, also called ‘Aka-mon (red gate)’.

It is designated as cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture.

本堂【重要文化財】:Hon-do Hall【Important cultural property】

真正極楽寺/真如堂-本堂

Hon-do Hall was built in 1717 of the Edo period, designated as an important cultural property.

Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Tathagata), the principal image of this temple, is enshrined.

(Registered Tangible Cultural Properties)

書院*:Sho-in Hall*

真正極楽寺/真如堂-書院

涅槃の庭*:Nehan-no-niwa Garden*

真正極楽寺/真如堂-涅槃の庭01

Nirvana Garden (Nehan-no-niwa) was designed by Saburo SONE in 1988 of the Showa period.

Nehan (涅槃) means scenery of the death of Buddha.


真正極楽寺/真如堂-涅槃の庭02

It is a dry landscape garden incorporating the scenery of Higashiyama (Kyoto Prefecture) with Mt. Daimonji and Mt. Hiei.

隨縁の庭*:Zuien-no-niwa Garden*

真正極楽寺/真如堂-隨縁の庭01

Zuien-no-niwa Garden was designed by Chisao SHIGEMORI in 2010 of the Heisei period.

He is a grandchild of Mirei SHIGEMORI (重森三玲) who was famous Japanese gardener during the Showa period.

Zuien (隨縁) is one of the Buddhist terms.


真正極楽寺/真如堂-隨縁の庭02

This temple is also a family temple of the Mitsui family, one of the most famous Zaibatsu in Japan.

So, Yotsumeyui (four squares) which is a family crest of the Mitsui family is designed in this garden.

三重塔:Three-storied pagoda

真正極楽寺/真如堂-三重塔

Three-storied pagoda was built in 1817 of the Edo period.

It is designated as cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture.

鎌倉地蔵堂:Kamakura Jizo-do Hall

真正極楽寺/真如堂-鎌倉地蔵堂

Kamakura jizo-do Hall is enshrines Kamakura-Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva).

万霊堂:Banrei-do Hall

真正極楽寺/真如堂-万霊堂

Banrei-do Hall is enshrines Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva)  and many spirits.

石薬師堂:Ishiyakushi-do Hall

真正極楽寺/真如堂-石薬師堂

Ishiyakushi-do Hall was rebuilt in 1966 of the Showa period.

It is enshrines Yakushi Nyorai.

元三大師堂:Ganzan Daishi-do Hall

真正極楽寺/真如堂-元三大師堂

Ganzan Daishi-do Hall was built in 1696 of the Edo period, enshrines Genzan Daishi (Ryogen).

It is designated as cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture.

鐘楼堂:Shoro-do Hall (Bell tower)

真正極楽寺/真如堂-鐘楼堂

Shoro-do Hall was built in the Genroku era (1688 – 1703).

It is designated as cultural property designated by Kyoto Prefecture.

県井観音堂:Agatai Kannon-do Hall

 真正極楽寺/真如堂-県井観音

Agatai Kannon-do Hall is enshrines Nyoirin Kannon (the Bodhisattva of Compassion).

千體地蔵堂:Sentai Jizo-do Hall

 真正極楽寺/真如堂-千体地蔵尊

Sentai Jizo-do Hall was built in 1780 of the Edo period, enshrines Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva).

赤崎弁天堂:Akasaki Benten-do Hall

 真正極楽寺/真如堂-赤崎弁天堂

Akasaki Benten-do Hall is enshrines Benzaiten.

阿弥陀如来露仏:Statue of the Amida Nyorai

 真正極楽寺/真如堂-阿弥陀如来露仏

新長谷寺:Shin Hase-dera Temple

 真正極楽寺/真如堂-新長谷寺

Shin Hase-dera is the fifth temple of the Rakuyo 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, enshrines Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-faced Kannon).

法伝寺(吒枳尼天):Hoden-ji Temple (Dakiniten)

真正極楽寺/真如堂-法伝寺(吒枳尼天)

Hoden-ji is one of the sub temple of the Shinnyo-do, enshrines Dakiniten.


Cherry blossoms of Shinnyo-do

The best season of cheryy blossoms is early April.

Video of Shinnyo-do


Photos of Shinnyo-do

Shinsho Gokuraku-ji Temple (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto):真正極楽寺(京都市左京区)

Goshuin (Red ink stamps) of Shinnyo-do

真正極楽寺/真如堂の御朱印

Goshuin (red ink stamp) of Shisho Gokuraku-ji, ‘Muryoju (無量寿)’.

This is a Buddhist word that expresses ‘Amida Nyorai.’


How to get to Shinnyo-do

The nearest station is Keihan Jingu-marutamachi Sta.

We can also go by bus from Kyoto Sta. or Hankyu Kawaramachi Sta.


From Osaka Umeda Sta. to Jingu Marutamachi Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Umeda Station to Yodoyabashi Station.

2.Change to the Keihan Railway at Yodoyabashi Station.

3.Get on the Keihan Railway from Yodoyabashi Station to Jingu Marutamachi Station.


From Namba Sta. to Jingu Marutamachi Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Yodoyabashi Station.

2.Change to the Keihan Railway at Yodoyabashi Station.

3.Get on the Keihan Railway from Yodoyabashi Station to Jingu Marutamachi Station.


From Kyoto Umeda Sta. to Jingu Marutamachi Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.

2.Change to the Keihan Railway at Tofukuji Station.

3.Get on the Keihan Railway from Tofukuji Station to Jingu Marutamachi Station.


From Jingu Marutamachi Station (on foot)

神宮丸太町駅から(1/9)

Image 1 of 9

It is about 30 minutes (1.7 km) on foot.


 Get on a bus from Kyoto Station

Timetable and Route Search (bus)

Please get on a bus No.5  (bus stop A1).

[Timetable]Kyoto City Bus No. 5

Bus company:Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination:No.5[Bound for Ginkakuji Temple Via Heian-jingu Shrine]
Boarding bus stop:Kyoto Sta. [A1]
Alighting bus stop:Shinnyodo-mae (Shinnyodo Temple)
Bus fare:230 yen
Time required:About 32 min


 Get on a bus from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station

Timetable and Route Search (bus)

Please get on a bus No.5 (bus stop H1) or No.203 (bus stop E).

[Timetable]Kyoto City Bus No. 5

Bus company:Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination:No. 5[Bound for Ginkakuji Temple Via Heian-jingu Shrine] 
Boarding bus stop:Shijo Kawaramachi [H]
Alighting bus stop:Shinnyodo-mae (Shinnyodo Temple)
Bus fare:230 yen
Time required:About 15 min

[Timetable]Kyoto City Bus Route No.203

Bus company:Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination:No.203[Bound for Ginkakuji Temple Via Gion]
Boarding bus stop:Shijo Kawaramachi [E]
Alighting bus stop:Shinnyodo-mae (Shinnyodo Temple)
Bus fare:230 yen
Time required:About 16 min


From Shinnyo-do mae bus stop (on foot)

真如堂前バス停から(2/5)

Image 2 of 5

It is about 10 minutes (500m) on foot.


Take a taxi

From Kyoto Station:2300 yen ~ (about 20 minutes)

From Gion-Shijo Station:1200 yen ~ (about 10 minutes)

・Let’s show a taxi driver the following phrase.

shinnyodo-htg-01

・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