Buddhist temple
Futai-ji
不退寺（ふたいじ）
Nara, Nara Prefecture
A temple of the Shingon Risshū school in Hōren-chō, Nara City. Its formal name is Kinryūzan Futaiten Hōrin-ji, and it is also called Narihira-dera. Its principal image is a standing Shō Kannon Bosatsu (the Narihira Kannon), said to have been carved by Ariwara no Narihira.
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: standing Shō Kannon Bosatsu (Narihira Kannon)
History and things to know
According to temple tradition, Prince Abo and Ariwara no Narihira lived in the Kaya no Gosho palace built by Emperor Heizei, and the temple began in Jōwa 14 (847), when Narihira converted his former residence into a temple and carved a statue of Shō Kannon himself; it became a place of prayer by imperial request (chokuganjo) of Emperor Ninmyō. Its halls burned in the burning of Nara (Nanto Yakiuchi) in Yōwa 1 (1181), and in the Kamakura period Eison of Saidai-ji restored it. In the early Shōwa period the main hall, the tahōtō pagoda and the Great South Gate were dismantled and repaired.
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)
- 不退寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
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