Jingoji (Takao)
京都府
Koyasan Shingon head temple where Kukai resided for 14 years, preserving a National Treasure Yakushi Nyorai and the Yoritomo portrait
Founded
781
Type
Temple
Visited
Want to go
Access
20 min walk from Yamashiro-Takao bus stop (JR Bus)
5 Umegahata-Takao-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
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Overview
The head temple of Koyasan Shingon, formed in 824 when the Jingansho and Takao-yamadera temples founded by Wake no Kiyomaro in 781 merged. It is one of the most important temples in Japanese Buddhist history as the place where Kukai spread the teachings of Shingon esoteric Buddhism. The National Treasure standing Yakushi Nyorai is a masterpiece of early Heian wood carving with an awe-inspiring exp…
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Origins
The origins of Jingoji trace to 781, when Wake no Kiyomaro founded the Jingankokusho Shingon-ji (Jingansho temple). Around the same period, Takao-yamadera was established on Mount Takao, and in 824 these two temples merged to form Jingoji. In the early ninth century, the monk Kukai (Kobo Daishi) is …
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Divine Benefits
Healing & Longevity
Warding Off Evil
Long Life
Recovery from illness, bodily wellness, peace of mind. Especially efficacious at Yakushi and Kannon temples.
Derived from the enshrined deity "薬師如来"
人Related Figures— 2
人
Kūkai
Founder of Shingon Buddhism / Kobo Daishi
Age 7 at founding
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A mountain temple where Kukai stayed after returning from Tang China and made a base for Shingon esoteric Buddhism. Saicho also received esoteric initiation from Kukai here, marking it as a turning point in Japanese Buddhism.
Minamoto no Yoritomo
First Shogun of Kamakura
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Monk Mongaku restored Jingoji in the late 12th century with the support of both Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Yoritomo. The temple also preserves one of the Jingoji Three Portraits, traditionally attributed to Yoritomo, celebrated as a masterpiece of Japanese portrait painting.
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Visiting Information
Hours
Visiting hours 9:00–16:00 (gates close 17:00), open year-round.
Admission
Admission: 1,000 yen (junior high+), 500 yen elementary. Group discounts available.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
Official Links
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