Buddhist temple
Nyoirin-ji
如意輪寺（にょいりんじ）
Yoshino, Nara Prefecture
A temple of the Jōdo school halfway up Mt. Yoshino, counted among the places associated with the Southern Court as the temple that guards the mausoleum of Emperor Go-Daigo. Its principal image, Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu, is a hidden image, and the temple passes down items connected with Kusunoki Masatsura and other people of the Southern Court.
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: Nyoirin Kanzeon Bosatsu
History and things to know
According to the temple's tradition, it was built as a Shingon temple in the Engi era (901–923) by Nichizō Dōken Shōnin, who had the devotion of Emperor Daigo. In the Nanboku-chō period it became a prayer temple of Emperor Go-Daigo, and it is said that in Shōhei 2 (1346) Kusunoki Masatsura visited with his clan before the Battle of Shijōnawate. In Keian 3 (1650) it was revived by 文誉鉄牛上人 and changed to the Jōdo school, and on the hill behind it is Emperor Go-Daigo's Tō-no-o Mausoleum.
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)
- 如意輪寺「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-21 確認）
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