Buddhist temple
Gansen-ji
岩船寺（がんせんじ）
Kizugawa, Kyoto Prefecture
A temple of the Shingon Risshū school in the Tōno area at the southern tip of Kyoto Prefecture, known as a "temple of flowers" for its hydrangeas and the flowers of every season. Its principal image, a seated Amida Nyorai from the mid-Heian period, is a nationally Important Cultural Property, as is the three-story pagoda.
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: seated Amida Nyorai (Important Cultural Property)
History and things to know
The temple's "Gansen-ji Engi" says that it began when Gyōki built an Amida hall in Tenpyō 1 (729) on the order of Emperor Shōmu, and that later Kōbō Daishi and his nephew Chisen Daitoku built Hōon-in. It is said that, owing to the spiritual response to prayers for the birth of a prince to Emperor Saga, its halls and pagoda were completed in Kōnin 4 (813); after passing through the fires of war such as the Jōkyū Disturbance, it became a branch temple of Saidai-ji in Meiji 14 (1881).
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)
- 岩船寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
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