Buddhist temple
Hōrin-ji (Nishikyō, Kyoto)
法輪寺（京都市西京区）（ほうりんじ）
Nishikyō, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
A temple of the Kogi Shingon school halfway up Arashiyama, familiarly known as "Saga no Kokūzō-san". Its principal image is Kokūzō Bosatsu, and it is known as the temple for Jūsan Mairi, the visit made at the age of thirteen by traditional count.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Principal image: Kokūzō Bosatsu
History and things to know
According to the temple's tradition, it originated as 葛井寺, opened by Gyōki in Wadō 6 (713) at the imperial wish of Empress Genmei; later an image of Kokūzō Bosatsu carved by Dōshō was installed, and in Jōgan 10 (868) it was renamed Hōrin-ji. Many of its buildings were lost in the Kinmon Incident of Genji 1 (1864), and the main hall was rebuilt in Meiji 17 (1884).
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
This is Hōrin-ji in Arashiyama, Kyoto (popularly known as Saga no Kokūzō-san). There are temples with the same name in various places.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 法輪寺（京都市西京区）「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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