Enjo-ji Temple, Garden

The information about Enjo-ji Temple is presented here. Ninnikusen Enjo-ji Temple was one of the Kita Yamato Gozan along with Bodaisen Shoryaku-ji Temple, Rokuyaon Bonbuku-ji Temple, Setarin Manpuku-ji Temple and Daijisan Yakushi-ji Temple. All of the Kita Yamato Gozan temples were founded in the Heian period (794-1185), and their names are derived from the story of the Buddha’s ascetic practices and training. However, all but Enjo-ji Temple and Shoryaku-ji Temple have been abolished.

• Temple Location Map ＆ Directions
• Temple History
• Temple Highlights

【Enjo-ji Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 1273 Ninnikusen-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Ninnikusen bus stop (about 10 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Adults 400 yen, High and Junior High School Students 300 yen, Elementary School Students 100 yen

【Enjo-ji Temple History】

Enjo-ji Temple (円成寺) is said to have been founded in 756 by Koro-osho, a disciple of Ganjin-wajo, at the request of the 45th Emperor Shomu and the 46th Emperor Kouken. It is also said that Enjo-ji Temple was founded in 1026 by Myozen-shonin, who housed the statue of Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-faced Kannon). Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-faced Kannon) is said to have been carved by Kasuga Myojin, and Enjo-ji Temple was also called Okunoin of Kasuga Taisha Shrine. Incidentally, the origin of Enjo-ji Temple is not clear, and according to “Washu Ninnikusen Enjoji Engi (Edo period (1603-1868)),” Enjo-ji Temple was said to have been founded in 756 or 1026, as mentioned above. Enjo-ji Temple was one of the Kita Yamato Gozan along with Shoryaku-ji Temple, Bonbuku-ji Temple, Manpuku-ji Temple and Yakushi-ji Temple. In 1112, Kyogen, a monk of Zuigan-ji Temple or Joruri-ji Temple in Minami-Yamashiro, Kyoto, and known as Odawara Hijiri, built Amidado and housed the statue of Amida Nyorai. It is said that in 1153, Kanben-shonin of Ninna-ji Temple in Kyoto entered Enjo-ji Temple and founded the Tomitsu Ninnikusen-ryu school, one of the Tomitsu Hirosawa Roku-ryu (Six Schools). Kanben-shonin served as Betto of Koryu-ji Temple (Kyoto), Choja of To-ji Temple (Kyoto), Kancho of Koyasan (Wakayama), and Betto of Todai-ji Temple (Nara). From the Heian period (794-1185) to the Kamakura period (1185-1333), many temple buildings were built and Buddhist statues were created. The Onin War (1467-1477) occurred in the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and much of temple buildings were destroyed by fire. In 1481, Eiko-ajari, a monku of Chio-in Temple, which was subtemple of Enjo-ji Temple, went to Korea as an envoy for Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, and obtained the Korai version of the “Okura-kyo (sutra)”. In 1487, Eiko-ajari and others rebuilt 14 temple buildings. In the Edo period (1603-1867), Enjo-ji Temple received special treatment from the shogun and offered the the “Okura-kyo (sutra)”, which was obtained after the Onin War, and as a reward, 105 koku were added to Enjo-ji Temple, bringing the temple’s territory to 235 koku. In addition, Enjo-ji Temple had 23 branch temples within temple grand. After the Meiji Restoration, due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, and the Haibutsukishaku, Enjo-ji Temple declined with the return of the temple territory. By 1877, only Hondo, Ro-mon Gate, Gomado, Kannondo, and Chinju-Sansha (three shrines) remained. In 1882, Seiga-osho entered Enseiji Temple and made major repairs and other maintenance of Hondo (Main Hall). In 1920, Taho-to (pagoda), which had only the first layer left, was moved to Choju-ji Temple in Kamakura City, and in 1990, the current Taho-to (pagoda) was rebuilt.
*reference・・・Enjo-ji Temple website

【Enjo-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★Kasugado (春日堂, National Treasure) and Hakusando (白山堂, National Treasure) were built as a guardian shrines in 1228. Kasuga Taisha Shrine underwent Shikinen-Zotai, and the former shrines were donated by Shinto priest Fujiwara no Tokisada. Kasugado and Hakusando are said to be the oldest Kasuga-dukuri buildings in Japan. Kasugado enshrines Kasuga Daimyojin and Hakusando enshrines Hakusan Daigongen.
★Hondo (Main Hall, 本堂, Important Cultural Property) is said to have been rebuilt in 1466, according to the temple legend, or in 1472, according to the nunafuda. Hondo houses the statue of Amida Nyorai and the statues of Shitenno.
★Ro-mon (Ro-mon Gate, 楼門, Important Cultural Property) was destroyed by military fire in 1466 and rebuilt in 1468. Ro-mon is inscribed with a kiriku (bonji) representing Amida Nyorai.
★Garden (庭園, Place of Scenic Beauty) is said to have been created in the late Heian period (794-1185) during the reign of Kanben-shonin. After the Meiji period (1868-1912), a prefectural road was built between the pond and the temple grounds, which severely damaged the scenery, but in 1961, the prefectural road was moved to the south of the garden,, and in 1976, Garden was completed. Garden is a Jodo-shiki (Pure Land style) garden with an area of about 1,500 tsubo (about 1,500 square meters).
円成寺見どころ (Enjo-ji Temple Highlights)

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from late October to late November. Maple trees and other trees are planted around Jodo-shiki (Pure Land style) garden in front of Ro-mon, and it is said that the scenery of the autumn leaves, the garden and Ro-mon is beautiful.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-742-93-0353

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Enseiji Temple is to walk to the Susanoo-no-mikoto-sha shrine in the northeast. There are not many sightseeing spots around Enseiji Temple, so we recommend moving on to the next one.

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】
If you plan to visit Enjo-ji Temple, be sure to check the latest information.