Ogura-Yama Nison-in Temple

Founded in the Jouwa period (834-848), the temple is also known as the SANTEIRYO (Emperors' Mausoleum）, which is said to contain a part of the bones of Emperor Saga, Emperor Tsuchimikado, Emperor Gosaga, and Emperor Kameyama, and as a temple associated with Honen Shonin.

The main statue of KEGONNISON, designated as an Important Cultural Property, was created by KASUGA Buddhist priests in the mid-Kamakura period (1185-1333) and is enshrined in the center of the main hall, which underwent its first major renovation in about 350 years in 2016, and can be seen with the Shaka Nyorai statue on the right and Amida Nyorai statue on the left.

The temple grounds, which cover an area of about 50,000-tsubo (about 197684.3 yards ), include the main hall, the CHOKUSHI-gate, the SOUMON-gate, Hasami- Shrine, the TANKU-byo Temple, the Shoro (temple bell), and the GARAN (a place where monks gather to practice Buddhism). Soumon-gate was moved and donated by Suminokura Ryoi from Yakuimon-Gate in Fushimi Castle in 1613 and is designated as a cultural asset by Kyoto City as a Muromachi period building.
Also worth seeing is the Chokushi-gate, a gateway through which only emperors' messengers could pass. There is also Hachisha-gu Shrine, which enshrines eight shrines: Ise Jingu Shrine, Matsuo Taisha Shrine, Atago Shrine, Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, Atsuta Jingu Shrine, Hiyoshi Shrine, Yasaka Shrine, and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, and Bentendo, which enshrines the KUZURYU-OMIKAMI and UGAJIN deities.

The approach to the temple is famous for its autumn foliage, with maple and cherry trees planted alternately along a 100-meter path, providing a spectacle of bright red in autumn. The tea ceremony room, "Misonotei," located at the back of the Shoin, was originally a dressing room for the sixth daughter of Emperor Gomizunoo, Yoshiko-naishinno, which was moved to Nison-in and is open for use during certain periods in spring and fall.　
※Please confirm when using the "Misonotei."