Shinto shrine
Sudō Tennō Sha
崇道天皇社（すどうてんのうしゃ）
Nara, Nara Prefecture
A shrine in Nishikidera-chō, Nara, enshrining Prince Sawara (Emperor Sudō), younger brother and crown prince of Emperor Kanmu. It is revered locally as the ujigami (tutelary kami) of the whole Kidera area.
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
Enshrined kami: Prince Sawara (Emperor Sudō)
History and things to know
According to shrine tradition, Prince Sawara was implicated in the assassination of Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, deposed, and died on the way to exile in Awaji. It is said to have begun when, to pacify his spirit, he was enshrined on the site of Kidera in Daidō 1 (806) by order of Emperor Heizei. The main hall is the former Kasuga Wakamiya shrine building, moved here in Genna 9 (1623), and is an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Before you visit
The official website states that the gates are closed on Mondays (though they may be open on days of festivals and other events).
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 崇道天皇社「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
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