ABOUT
About this spot
Ninna-ji is the head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism, located in Omuro, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto. Its principal image is Amida Nyorai and its founder is Emperor Uda. It is a component of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto". Construction began in 886 by order of Emperor Koko, who died before its completion. His son Emperor Uda finished it in 888 and named it after the era name Ninna. Uda became a retired monk-emperor in 899 and lived in quarters built southwest of the main halls in 904, which is why the temple is also called Omuro Gosho. It later became a prestigious monzeki temple headed by members of the imperial family. The halls burned in the Onin War and were rebuilt in 1646 in the Edo period. The line of imperial abbots ended in 1867, and the Omuro school became independent in 1946 with Ninna-ji as its head temple. The National Treasure Kondo (Golden Hall) was originally the Shishinden of the Kyoto Imperial Palace and is regarded as the oldest surviving Shishinden. The five-story pagoda, rebuilt in 1644 and about 36 m high, is an Important Cultural Property, as are the Niomon, Miedo and Kannon-do. The Goten (palace buildings) have registered tangible cultural property status, and the Ninna-ji Goten Garden is a National Place of Scenic Beauty. The Reihokan, open only for limited periods, displays items such as the Amida triad that was the temple's original principal image. The Omuro cherry grove is a National Place of Scenic Beauty with about 200 late-blooming double-flowered trees. Because of the hard bedrock they stay low, earning the nickname "Otafuku-zakura", and they usually peak after April 20. According to the official site, the Goten garden is open 9:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30) from March to November, and 9:00-16:30 from December to February. Entry to the grounds is normally free, with fees only for the Goten garden and the Reihokan, but a special admission fee applies during the Omuro Hana Matsuri cherry blossom period. Ryoanji and Kinkakuji are nearby.
Last updated October 18, 2026