Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple

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Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple in Sagano is overwhelming with the sight of about 8,000 stone Buddhas and pagodas lined up within its precincts.

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This Jodo sect temple is located midway on the road from the center of Arashiyama to Kiyotaki. It originated when Kobo Daishi (Kukai) collected and buried the bodies that were exposed to the elements in Adashino, once known for its wind burial practices, and built the Gochi-san Nyorai-ji Temple for their memorial services. Later, it became known as Nenbutsu-ji Temple when the monk Honen opened a Nenbutsu (Buddhist chanting) dojo here.

The approximately 8,000 stone Buddhas and pagodas, huddled together in the "Sai-no-Kawara" within the precincts, are the graves of people once buried throughout the Adashino area. Unclaimed for hundreds of years, these were unearthed and gathered in the middle of the Meiji period and arranged as if they were listening to a sermon. Every August, the temple holds a "Thousand lights memorial service", where countless candles are lit to memorialize these unclaimed Buddhas, creating a fantastically ethereal scene in the late summer.

With the changing seasons, such as the blooming of cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves, the scenery of the precincts also changes. The bamboo grove leading to the cemetery at the back of the precincts has a quaint charm and has become a quietly popular spot.

Highlights

  • A Jodo sect temple in Sagano.
  • Originated with Kobo Daishi gathering remains from wind burials around the area and establishing a temple for memorial services.
  • About 8,000 stone Buddhas and pagodas are enshrined within the precincts.
  • The Thousand lights memorial service, a candle lighting event for the unclaimed Buddhas, is held every August.
  • The bamboo grove at the back of the precincts is a quietly popular spot.

Photos

  • About 8,000 stone Buddhas and statues are enshrined.

    About 8,000 stone Buddhas and statues are enshrined.

  • The "Thousand lights memorial service" is held every August.

    The "Thousand lights memorial service" is held every August.

  • The bamboo grove extending to the back of the temple is a quietly popular spot.

    The bamboo grove extending to the back of the temple is a quietly popular spot.

  • The ambiance transforms during the cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage season, offering a different experience from the usual.

    The ambiance transforms during the cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage season, offering a different experience from the usual.

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have pamphlets in other languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)

A

English explanations are included in the Japanese brochure.

Q

Is there a temple stamp available?

A

Direct writing in the stamp book is available (not in ordinary notebooks), and there are also stamps set aside for visitors.

Q

Is parking available?

A

Not available.

Q

Are coin lockers available?

A

Not available.

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Details

Name in Japanese
あだし野念仏寺(化野念仏寺)
Postal Code
616-8436
Address
17 Sagatoriimotoadashinocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Telephone
075-861-2221
Closed
Open every day(however, closed during adverse weather conditions or special religious ceremonies)
Business Hours
9:00am - 4:30pm (Last admission) ※Closed at 3:30pm from December to February (Last admission)
Admission
Entry fee Adults 500yen, High school and junior high school students 400yen, Free for elementary school students and younger (must be accompanied by a guardian)
Access
From Hankyu Arashiyama Line’s Arashiyama Station, take the Kyoto bus about 12 minutes, get off at Toriimoto Bus stop and about 2 minutes walk from there.
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)