Buddhist temple
Banna-ji
鑁阿寺（ばんなじ）
Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture
The head temple of the Shingon Dainichi school, in Ashikaga City, whose principal image is Dainichi Nyorai, regarded as the guardian buddha of the Minamoto and Ashikaga clans. The precinct is the site of the Ashikaga clan's residence, and its moat and earthen walls still surround it.
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: Dainichi Nyorai
History and things to know
According to temple tradition, it began in Kenkyū 7 (1196), when Ashikaga Yoshikane, moved by religious resolve, built a hall for his personal buddha within his residence. The temple's guide says that the main hall built by his son Yoshiuji burned after a lightning strike in 1229, and that Ashikaga Sadauji repaired it, adopting the Zen style. It received the protection of the Muromachi shogun family and the Kamakura kubō family; the main hall is a National Treasure, and the bell tower and the Issaikyō-dō (sutra hall) are Important Cultural Properties.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
Opening hours, access, areas open to visitors, and events can change. Please check the latest guidance from the shrine or temple itself before you go.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 鑁阿寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
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