Sennyu-ji Temple

Sennyu-ji is the head temple of the Shingon Sennyu-ji school, set at the foot of the Higashiyama hills in Kyoto. Its principal images are the Buddhas of the Three Ages (Shakyamuni, Amida and Maitreya). Because the temple enshrines the tombs and memorial tablets of successive emperors, it has long been called the Imperial family's funerary temple, or "Mitera". It lies a little away from the busiest parts of Higashiyama, and its approach and wooded grounds are quiet.

Tradition gives two origins: a temple built by Fujiwara no Otsugu in the Heian period, or one founded by Kukai, but neither is documented. The real founder was the Kamakura-period monk Shunjo, to whom Utsunomiya Nobufusa donated the ruined Sen'yu-ji in 1218; Song-style halls were then built. The name is said to come from a spring that welled up in the grounds. It became an imperial prayer temple in 1224 and, from the Northern and Southern Courts period, handled the funerals of emperors. The whole mountain burned in 1468 during the Onin War but was rebuilt.

Highlights include the Zen-style Butsuden (Buddha Hall, Important Cultural Property, rebuilt in 1668), the Daimon gate moved from the south gate of the Kyoto Imperial Palace (Important Cultural Property), and the Kaizando, which holds the tomb of Shunjo (Important Cultural Property). The Yokihi Kannon Hall houses a Kannon said to be a Southern Song work and is Temple No. 20 of the Rakuyo 33 Kannon pilgrimage. The Shariden, moved from the Imperial Palace, is designated by Kyoto Prefecture, and the Goshosho, a rest house for emperors and empresses, has a garden. Imperial tombs also stand within the grounds.

According to the official site, the main admission covers the Daimon, Butsuden, Yokihi Kannon Hall, Senzui Yakata, Shariden and Shinshoden, while the special admission covers the Goshosho, its garden and the Kaiedo. Registration opens at 9:00, so a morning visit works well. Allow about one to one and a half hours.

From Tofukuji Station (JR Nara Line / Keihan Main Line) it is about 20 minutes on foot. Nearby you will find Tofuku-ji (about 680 m), Fushimi Inari Taisha (about 1.2 km) and Sanjusangen-do (about 1.4 km).