Ninnaji Temple

What to know

Ninnaji (仁和寺) is one of Kyoto's great temples listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It serves as the head temple of the Omuro School of Shingon Buddhism and was founded in 888 by the reigning emperor. For centuries, a member of the Imperial Family traditionally served as head priest, earning the temple the nickname Omuro Imperial Palace.

Due to the many wars and fires that have ravaged Kyoto over the centuries, none of the original 9th-century buildings survive. The oldest structures date from the early Edo Period (early 1600s) and include the main hall (Kondo), Kannon Hall, Niomon gate, Chumon inner gate, and the five-storied pagoda.

The highlight of a visit to Ninnaji is the Goten, the former residence of the head priest located in the southwestern corner of the complex. Built in the style of an imperial palace, the graceful buildings are connected by covered corridors, feature elegantly painted sliding doors (fusuma), and are surrounded by beautiful rock and pond gardens.

Ninnaji is also famous for a grove of locally cultivated, late-blooming cherry trees called Omuro Cherries. Because these trees bloom later, Ninnaji is an excellent spot to visit toward the end of Kyoto's cherry blossom season, typically around mid-April.

Ninnaji is a ten-minute walk west of Ryoanji Temple and just steps from Omuro Ninnaji Station on the Keifuku Kitano Line, a small tram-like train that connects Arashiyama with the Kitano district.

From Kyoto Station, Ninnaji Temple can be reached by direct JR bus. The bus ride takes about 30 minutes, costs 230 yen, and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, JR Kansai Area Pass, JR Kansai Wide Area Pass, several other JR West rail passes, as well as Kyoto's one-day bus pass. Buses run every 15–30 minutes.