Seiryo-ji Temple

4.0

A Jyodo Buddhist temple located in the Saga area of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City. Given the honorific mountain name Mt. Godai, the temple’s principle object of worship is a figure of Gautama Buddha. Known as the Saga Shaka-do, it has also been known as the Yuzu Nenbutsu no Dojo since the Middle Ages. The temple was founded when Minamoto no Toru, said to be the model for the heroic character of Hikaru Genji in The Tale of Genji, erected the Amitabha hall. The temple’s Gautama statue was brought by a priest called Chonen (934–1016) from Sung China who made a pilgrimage to Mt. Godai. Called the “Living Gautama,” it is a designated National Treasure. The figure is specially unveiled in April, May, October, and November, giving the general public a chance to see its unusual, non-Japanese styling.

Spot details

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Sagashakadoufujinokichou 46 Map
Area: Arashiyama / Sagano / Takao Area
Phone: 0758610343
Hours: 9:00-16:00
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Admission fee]Adults400yen, junior and senior high school students300yen, Elementary school students200yen
Parking Lot: Available(20spaces)
Credit Card: Not available
Smoking: Not available
Wi-Fi: Not available
English Menu: Available
Can be enjoyed even on a rainy day: Yes
Average budget: [Lunch] 1-1,000yen
[Night] 1-1,000yen
Estimated stay time: 30-60 minutes
Infant friendly: Available

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

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Review

Seiryoji Temple

Reviewed : 2020.08.26

There are so many temples along this street near the Bamboo Forest that it is impossible to pick and choose. The Seiryoji Temple stood out because it had an extraordinary gate that is very...
Rare Kyoto temple with Shakyamuni Buddha statue

Reviewed : 2019.03.15

Not many Japanese temples have the Shakyamuni Buddha statue, the historical Buddha. This is already so when Buddhism spread from China to Japan in ancient times. Hence this is one rare temple to...
Impressive gate

Reviewed : 2017.03.07

This temple is small, but has an impressive gate! The plum trees were in blossom and quite pretty. Would be nice to visit when the sakura are in blossom.