Buddhist temple
Sennyū-ji
泉涌寺（せんにゅうじ）
Higashiyama, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
The head temple of the Sennyū-ji school of Shingon Buddhism in Higashiyama, Kyoto, also called "Mitera" as the family temple of the imperial household. In the Buddha Hall, the buddhas of the three ages, Amida, Shaka and Miroku, are enshrined as the principal images.
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 images: the buddhas of the three ages, Amida, Shaka and Miroku (Buddha Hall)
History and things to know
According to the official guide, in the early Kamakura period Gachirin Daishi Shunjō set out to build a great temple adopting the forms of Song China, and when it was completed in Karoku 2 (1226) a clear spring welled up in the precincts, so it was renamed Sennyū-ji; Shunjō is regarded as its founder. It was designated the temple for the imperial household's memorial offerings, and since the Meiji period it has continued to be revered as the family temple of successive emperors and empresses. The memorial tablets of successive emperors are enshrined in the Reimeiden, and their personal devotional images in the Kaiedō.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
Sub-temples such as Sokujō-in, Kaikō-ji and Imakumano Kannon-ji are scattered within the grounds. Visits to the main temple are divided into viewing of the temple buildings and special viewing.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 泉涌寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
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