Buddhist temple
Shōkoku-ji
相国寺（しょうこくじ）
Kamigyō Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
The head temple (daihonzan) of the Rinzai-shū Shōkokuji school, a Zen temple once ranked second among the Five Mountains of Kyoto. In the Hattō (Dharma hall), which also serves as the Buddha hall, its principal image, Shaka Nyorai, is enshrined together with the two venerable disciples Anan and Kashō.
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 object of worship: Shaka Nyorai
History and things to know
According to temple tradition, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu resolved to build a temple in Eitoku 2 (1382), and with Musō Kokushi as its founder, its buildings were completed in Meitoku 3 (1392). It suffered repeated fires; the present Hattō was rebuilt in Keichō 10 (1605) with a donation from Toyotomi Hideyori and is regarded as the oldest surviving Dharma hall building.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Related kami and buddhas
Before you visit
Kinkaku-ji (Rokuon-ji) and Ginkaku-ji (Jishō-ji) are sankai tatchū (sub-temples outside the main precincts) of Shōkoku-ji and are visited at separate locations.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 相国寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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