Ninnaji
Ninnaji (仁和寺) is a sprawling temple complex in western Kyoto, serving as the head of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism. Founded in 888 by Emperor Uda, it is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and famously served as a Monzeki temple—an institution where members of the Imperial Family traditionally served as the head priests. This royal patronage is evident in the temple’s elegant, palace-like atmosphere and the expansive scale of its grounds.
The journey through Ninnaji begins at the Niomon, a massive, two-story entrance gate that stands as one of Kyoto’s most impressive wooden portals. From here, a wide, rising gravel path leads visitors toward the center of the precinct. To the west lies the Goten, the former residence of the head priest. This sub-complex is built in the shinden-zukuri style of an imperial palace. It features two distinct gardens: a contemplative southern rock garden and a lush northern pond garden that provides a stunning foreground for the temple’s five-storied pagoda in the distance. Inside, the rooms are adorned with intricate fusuma (sliding door) paintings, though visitors must remember to remove their shoes to tread upon the historic wooden corridors.
Most of the current structures date to the early 17th century, following a period of reconstruction after the Onin War. The Kondo (Main Hall) is a National Treasure of particular significance, as it was originally a ceremonial hall relocated from the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Standing nearby is the 33-meter-tall Five-storied Pagoda and the Kannon Hall, both representative of the refined craftsmanship of the Edo period.
Beyond its architecture, Ninnaji is synonymous with the Omuro Zakura. These unique dwarf cherry trees are the latest-blooming varieties in Kyoto. Growing only 2 to 3 meters tall, they create a dense, low canopy of white-pink blossoms that typically peak in mid-April. This makes Ninnaji a crucial destination for travelers who arrive after the city’s main somei yoshino trees have already shed their petals. Whether under the blossoms of spring or the fiery maples of autumn, Ninnaji offers a uniquely regal perspective on Kyoto’s Zen-dominated landscape.
| Visitor Information | |
|---|---|
| Address | 33 Omuroouchi, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8092 (Google Maps) |
| Opening Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (March–Nov) / 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Dec–Feb) Last entry 30 mins before closing. |
| Price | Grounds: Free (¥500 during Cherry Blossom season) Goten: ¥800 / Treasure Hall: ¥500 |
| Website | Visit Website |
| Access | ||
|---|---|---|
| Station / Stop | Line / Bus | Access Details |
| Omuro Ninnaji | Keifuku Kitano Line (Randen) | A 3-minute walk north from the station |
| Omuro Ninnaji | Kyoto City Bus (Line 26, 59) | The bus stop is located directly in front of the temple entrance |