Buddhist temple
Kōnin-ji
弘仁寺（こうにんじ）
Nara, Nara Prefecture
A temple of the Kōyasan Shingon school on Mt. Kokūzō in Kokūzō-chō, Nara. Its principal image is a statue of Kokūzō Bosatsu said to have been made by Kōbō Daishi, and it is described as a temple for Jūsan-mairi.
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, there are two stories of its founding. In one, Emperor Saga was told by an old man in a dream to build a temple on a sacred mountain south of Nara, found Mt. Kokūzō and built the temple (815); in the other, Kōbō Daishi saw a shooting star fall on Mt. Kokūzō and opened it as a sacred mountain (807).
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)
- 弘仁寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
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