日本語

Origin

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple is located in the Adashino area in the mountains of Okusaga, just past Saga Arashiyama in western Kyoto. The place has served as a burial and memorial site since ancient times, and the name of the area itself carries the meaning of transience. It is said that Kukai (774-835), the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, established a temple in the area about 1,200 years ago to pray for the souls of the people buried there. Later, Honen (1133-1212), the founder of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, transformed it into a temple that practiced a form of prayer called nenbutsu, a ritual recitation of the name of Amida Buddha to ensure one's rebirth in a paradise-like realm.

One of the most remarkable features of Adashino Nenbutsuji is Sai no Kawara, a dedicated space where approximately 8,000 stone grave markers of people who were buried in the area over the centuries are preserved. The temple grounds also contain several noteworthy Buddhist halls and statues, a grand Indian-style stupa, quiet cemeteries, and a serene bamboo grove. Various memorial services and rites are held at the temple over the course of the year, including a ceremony in late August when thousands of candles are lit among the grave markers.

Because Adashino Nenbutsuji is a place of memorial dedicated to the souls of the people buried in the area, visitors are requested to be quiet and respectful while exploring the temple.

Sai no Kawara

In the center of the temple precincts is a dedicated space enclosed by low stone walls called Sai no Kawara.

Sento Kuyo

This is an event where candles are lit and offerings made to unrelated Buddhas, who died with no one to tend their grave on Sai no Kawara river in the evening of August every year.

Hondo (Main Hall)

The main hall of Adashino Nenbutsuji was constructed in 1712 and enshrines the temple's principal object of worship, a statue of Amida Buddha from the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

Mizuko Jizo

At the back of the temple grounds, at the foot of the bamboo grove, there is a shrine dedicated to the Mizuko Jizo, built to offer memorial services to babies who were born and died before their days were up.

Bussharito Stupa

At the easternmost area of the temple grounds is a large, dome-shaped brick stupa (bussharito) that serves as an ossuary: a final resting place for bones of the deceased.

Bamboo Grove

A short distance past the main hall is a stone stairway lined on both sides by a thick grove of moso bamboo.

Visiting Guide

Entrance Hours

Opening 9:00〜16:30 (closing of reception)

*The gates will close a maximum of 30 minutes after the reception closes.
*Reception closes at 15:30 in January, February, and December.
*Please note that the hours may be changed or the temple may be closed on days of temporary religious ceremonies.
*The temple will be closed for safety reasons when a storm warning is issued for Kyoto City or when there is snow or ice on the ground.

About the Red Stamp Book

If you have a goshuincho book, or a red stamp book, we will write directly in it.
Some are also pre-written.

Entrance Fee

Adult
¥500
Junior high
and high school students
¥400
Elementary school students and under
(Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
Free
Group Rate (charge)
Adults ¥400 for a party of 30 or more,
junior high and high school students will be ¥300.
(Cash payment in full is required)

*Groups of elementary school students or younger for school or school events are not permitted.

Contact Us

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple 17 Sagatoriimoto Adashinocho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 616-8436 Japan
E-mail : adashino@nenbutsuji.jp

Temple Grounds Map

Access

on JR Sagano Line 
From Kyoto Station, get off at Saga-Arashiyama Station.

on Keifuku Electric Railway 
From Shijo-Omiya Station, take the Randen Ranzanmoto Line and get off at Arashiyama Station.

on Keifuku Electric Railway 
Take the Randen Kitano Line from Kitano Shiraume-cho Station, transfer at Katabashinotsuji Station, and get off at Arashiyama Station.

*Any of these can be done by taxi, on foot or by transfer to the Kyoto Bus.