Kinpusenji
奈良県
Headquarters of Shugendo where En no Gyoja carved Zao Gongen — World Heritage site where Hideyoshi held his famous cherry blossom viewing
Founded
650
Type
Temple
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近鉄吉野駅からロープウェイ、吉野山駅から徒歩10分
奈良県吉野郡吉野町吉野山2498
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Overview
Head temple of the Kinpusen Shugendo sect on Mt. Yoshino, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Zao-do hall (National Treasure) is Japan's second-largest wooden structure after Todaiji, rebuilt under Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The three secret Zao Gongen statues, the tallest at 7.28 m, are among Japan's largest hidden Buddhist images. Yoshino's cherry blossoms were originally planted as sacred offerings to Z…
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Origins
Kinpusen-ji Temple is said to have been founded in the latter half of the 7th century (around 650) during the Hakuho period, when the ascetic En no Gyoja (En no Ozunu) is believed to have had a vision of Zaō Gongen while training on Mount Yoshino, carved the deity's form in mountain cherry wood, and…
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Divine Benefits
Martial Fortune
Warding Off Evil
Purification
Victory in contests, sports, and critical challenges. Rooted in warrior-deity shrines such as Hachiman and Suwa.
Derived from the enshrined deity "蔵王権現"
記Related Articles— 6
記
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Zaō Gongen and Shugendo: The Syncretic Deity of Kinpusenji, Yoshino
Zaō Gongen is a uniquely Japanese syncretic deity combining Shakyamuni Buddha, Thousand-Armed Kannon, and Maitreya Bodhisattva into one form. Said to have been revealed to En-no-Gyōja on Mt. Kinbu, it has been venerated as the principal object of worship in Shugendo at Yoshino, Mt. Ōmine, and Mt. Zaō.
basics
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記
The Emperor Who Reclaimed the Realm from Exile — Go-Daigo and the Escape from Oki
Emperor Go-Daigo plotted to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate, failed, and was exiled to Oki Island. But he escaped, and with warriors like Kusunoki Masashige and Nitta Yoshisada, he destroyed the shogunate in 1333. The story of an emperor who reclaimed power through sheer will.
era
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記
An Ideal That Collapsed in Three Years — Go-Daigo and the Kenmu Restoration
After toppling the Kamakura shogunate in 1333, Go-Daigo began the Kenmu Restoration of direct imperial rule. But unfair rewards to warriors and favoritism toward court nobles ignited samurai discontent. Within three years he was defeated by Ashikaga Takauji and fled to Yoshino, founding the Southern Court.
era
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もっと詳しく · 3
人Related Figures— 2
人
En no Gyōja
Founder of Shugendō, En no Ozunu
Age 16 at founding
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Tradition holds that in the Hakuho era, En no Gyoja (En no Ozunu) perceived the deity Zao Gongen on this mountain in Yoshino and enshrined a figure carved from mountain-cherry wood. It is the central hall of Shugendo and head temple of the Kinpusen Shugen sect.
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Taiko, Ruler of All
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Kinpusenji's Zao-do hall, a National Treasure, was rebuilt in 1590 (Tensho 18) through a donation from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and is Japan's second-largest wooden structure.
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Visiting Information
Hours
Open 8:30–16:00. Free morning service daily 6:30–7:15, no reservation.
Admission
Zao-do admission: 800/600/400. Special unveiling: 1,600. Grounds free.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
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