Eikando (Zenrinji)
京都府
Home of the Looking-Back Amida statue and 3,000 autumn maples along the Philosopher's Path
Founded
853
Type
Temple
Visited
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Access
15 min walk from Subway Keage Station
48 Eikando-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
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Overview
Head temple of the Jodo Seizan Zenrinji-ha, known as \'Momiji no Eikando\' (Eikando of Autumn Foliage). The principal image, the \'Looking-Back Amida,\' is a rare Amida statue with its head turned to the left — an image derived from the legend that Amida turned to look back at the monk Eikan during his morning sutra chanting. Especially celebrated as one of Kyoto\'s premier autumn foliage spots, t…
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Origins
In 853 (Ninju 3), the monk Shinsho, a distinguished disciple of Kukai (Kobo Daishi), inherited the mountain villa of Fujiwara no Sekio and established a Shingon Buddhist training hall known as Zenrinji. In the late Heian period, the monk Eikan (1033–1111) served as head priest, dedicating himself to…
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Pilgrimage Courses
Shinbutsu Reijo Pilgrimage
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100 Temples ⑤ Kinki/Kyoto
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Kyoto Autumn Foliage Spots
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Divine Benefits
Purification
Rebirth in Pure Land
Cleansing impurity, spiritual purification, driving away evil. Rooted in misogi ablutions and goma fire rites.
Derived from the enshrined deity "阿弥陀如来（みかえり阿弥陀）"
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Visiting Information
Hours
9:00–16:00 (last admission), gates close 17:00. Autumn night viewing available.
Admission
Admission: 1,000 general, 800 university, 600 junior/senior high, 200 elementary.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
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Branch
Daigo-ji
Head temple of the Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrinji branch, to which Daigo-ji belongs.
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