Murou-ji Temple, Nonin Koya

The information about Murou-ji Temple is presented here. Murou-ji Temple was repaired by the donation of Keishoin, the mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, and with the help of Keishoin, Murou-ji Temple was changed from the Hosso sect to the Shingon sect. As a result, women were allowed to visit Murou-ji Temple, and Murou-ji Temple became known as “Nonin Koya”, as opposed to Koyasan, which was forbidden to women.

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

【Murou-ji Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 78 Murou, Uda City, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Murouji Bus Stop (about 5 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 8:30-17:00 (April-November), 9:00-16:00 (December-March)
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Adults 600 yen, children 400 yen

【Murou-ji Temple History】

Murou-ji Temple (室生寺) is said to have been founded in the late Nara Period (770-781) by the monk Kenkei of Kofuku-ji Temple at the request of the 50th Emperor Kanmu, as a temple for the protection of the nation. According to the “Benichisan Nenbundosha-soujou”, Emperor Kammu (Prince Yamabe no Shinnou) fell ill during the Togu (Crown Prince) period of the Hoki period (770-781), and it is said that he was restored by the power of the Ryujin (Dragon God) when he sent five monks to Mt. Murou-san, where the Ryujin worship was located, and five monks practiced the Enju-ho. In addition, there is a tradition that Murou-ji Temple was founded in 680 by En no Gyoja (En no Oduno), the founder of the Shugendo sect, and that Kobo-daishi Kukai, the founder of the Shingon sect, was revived. It is said that Kenkei died in 793, and Shuen, a disciple of Kenkei and Betto of Kofuku-ji Temple, took over and maintained Murou-ji Temple. It is said that around this time, Shintai, a disciple of Kobo-daishi Kukai, entered Murou-ji Temple. Since its founding, Murou-ji Temple has been a branch temple of Kofuku-ji Temple, the main temple of the Hosso sect. Shodo of Kondo was built in the early Heian period (794-1185). Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) was built around 800. Around 835, Enshu, a disciple of Gishin, the first Tendai Zasu, and Kene (Kenne, a disciple of Kobo-daishi, Kukai, entered Murou-ji Temple. Mirokudo was built in the early Kamakura period (1185-1333). Hondo was built in 1308. Mieido was built in the early Muromachi period (1333-1573). It is said that Raido of the Kondo was rebuilt in 1672. In 1694, Gojiin Ryuko, a monk of the Shingi School of the Shingon sect, received Murou-ji Temple, and Murou-ji Temple became a branch temple of Gokoku-ji Temple, and became a temple of the Shingon sect. In 1695, Keishoin, the mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, the 5th shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, donated 2,000 ryo, and the temple complex was repaired. In 1698, Murou-ji Temple became independent from Gokoku-ji Temple and became the Buzan School of the Shingon sect. In 1964, Murou-ji Temple became independent from the Buzan School of the Shingon sect and became the head temple of the Muroji School of the Shingon sect.
*reference・・・Murou-ji Temple website

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

★Shodo of Kondo (金堂, National Treasure) is said to have been built in the late 9th century (early Heian period) and underwent major repairs at the end of the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Raido is said to have been rebuilt in 1672. Kondo houses the statues of Shaka Nyorai, Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-faced Kannon), Monju Bosatsu, Yakushi Nyorai, and Jizo Bosatsu in a horizontal line.
★Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda, 五重塔, National Treasure) is said to have been built around 800. Gojyu-no-to is said to be the second oldest gojyu-no-to after Gojyu-no-to at Horyu-ji Temple, which is said to have been rebuilt in the late 7th century. Gojyu-no-to is about 16 meters high, and is the smallest gojyu-no-to in Japan. During the restoration of Gojyu-no-to from 1999 to 2000, the Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties conducted dendrochronological dating, which revealed that part of Gojyu-no-to was cut down around 794.
★Hondo (Main Hall, 本堂, National Treasure) was built in 1308, when esoteric Buddhism was in progress. Hondo houses the statues of Nyoirin Kannon, and mandalas of the two realms (Kongokai Mandala and Taizokai Mandala) are hung on both sides of the wall in front of it. Hondo is called Kanjodo because an esoteric Buddhist ceremony called Kanjo was held.
室生寺見どころ (Murou-ji Temple Highlights)

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see cherry blossoms (桜) is around early April. Somei-Yoshino, Yama-zakura, and Beni Higan-zakura are distributed around the temple grounds, and the scenery of cherry blossoms, vermilion-painted taiko-bashi(drum bridge), Omote-mon gate, Kondo, and Gomado is said to be beautiful.
★The best time to see rhododendrons (石楠花) is from mid-April to mid-May. About 3,000 rhododendrons are distributed around Nio-mon Gate and from the Yoroizaka of the Stone Steps paved with natural stones to Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda), and the scenery of rhododendrons and Gojyu-no-to is said to be beautiful.
★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-November to early December. Maple trees. ginkgo and other plants are distributed around the temple grounds, and the scenery of Gojyu-no-to (Five-story Pagoda) and Kondo is said to be beautiful. Murou-ji Temple is illuminated every year around the time of autumn leaves, and a special night viewing is held. (night illumination, 紅葉ライトアップ)
室生寺紅葉ライトアップ (Murou-ji Temple night illumination)
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

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

Tel: +81-745-93-2003

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Murou-ji Temple is to the nearby Murou Ryuketsu Shrine. It is said that Murou-ji Temple was the Jinguji Temple of Murou Ryuketsu Shrine.

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