Buddhist temple
Sekizan Zen'in
赤山禅院（せきざんぜんいん）
Sakyō, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
A Tendai sect temple on land to the northeast of the Heian capital, and one of the sub-temples (tatchū) of Enryaku-ji. Its principal image is Sekizan Daimyōjin, Taizan Fukun of Sekizan in Tang China welcomed here, and it has long been regarded as the temple guarding the capital's omote-kimon (the unlucky direction).
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: Sekizan Daimyōjin
History and things to know
According to the official guide, Ennin, who went to Tang China, vowed to build a temple in gratitude to the kami of Sekizan who had protected his journey, and following his last wishes Anne founded it in Ninna 4 (888). Emperor Go-Mizunoo is said to have repaired the shrine building and granted an imperial plaque reading “Sekizan Daimyōjin.” It is also a temple closely tied to the “Sekizan Kugyō” of the sennichi kaihōgyō (thousand-day mountain practice).
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)
- 赤山禅院「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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