Introduction to Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple with Goshuin
🍁 Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Temple No. 15
🏔️ Shin-Nachisan Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple
~Visit the 'Kannon of the Head' founded by Kobo Daishi, a hidden autumn foliage spot in Kyoto~
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Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple... honestly, compared to Tofuku-ji or Kiyomizu-dera,
it might not be that well-known.
But I was surprised when I went there.
In the quiet mountains embraced by the Higashiyama Thirty-Six Peaks,
I wondered how such an atmospheric place could exist.
The vermilion bridge that welcomes you instead of a main gate is impressive,
and the autumn foliage is a spectacular view, often called the 'reddest in Kyoto'🍁
The 15th stop on the Saigoku Pilgrimage. Please make sure to visit🙏
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🏷️ Basic Information
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【Official Name】 Shin-Nachisan Kannon-ji
【Common Name】 Imakumano Kannon-ji
【Sect】 Shingon-shu Sennyu-ji School (a sub-temple of the head temple, Sennyu-ji)
【Mountain Name】 Shin-Nachisan
【Principal Image】 Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva (hidden Buddha)
【Founder】 Kobo Daishi Kukai
【Founded】 Around 807 / During the Tencho era (824–834) by imperial decree of Emperor Saga
Principal Mantra: On makakyanonikya sowaka
📍 Address
32 Sennyuji Yamanouchi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0977
TEL: 075-561-5511
Official Website: https://www.kannon.jp
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🙏 Principal Image and Benefits
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The principal image is the 'Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva'.
It is a hidden Buddha among hidden Buddhas, said to have been carved by Kobo Daishi Kukai himself,
containing a very small Kannon statue (about 5.5 cm) created by Amaterasu Omikami,
which he received from Kumano Gongen.
It is usually kept hidden inside a shrine,
and is unveiled during the 'Shikoku Pilgrimage Sand-treading Memorial Service' from September 21st to 23rd each year.
There may be other special unveilings, so
check the official website for the latest information!
Benefits:
✦ Curing headaches and head-related illnesses (famous as the 'Kannon of the Head'!)
✦ Bestowing wisdom and academic success
✦ Prevention of senility
✦ Warding off evil and bringing good luck
✦ Children's health and academic success (Komamori Daishi)
Based on the legend that this Kannon appeared at the bedside of Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa
to cure the headaches that had troubled him for years,
it is widely worshipped as the 'Kannon of the Head'.
Recently, the number of visitors praying for the prevention of senility has also been increasing.
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📖 History
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■ Founding (around 807)
In 807, the year after returning from Tang China,
Kobo Daishi Kukai discovered a mysterious light emanating from Higashiyama.
When he went to the site, Kumano Gongen appeared in the form of an old man and said,
'Enshrine the 5.5 cm Kannon statue created by Amaterasu Omikami here
and save all living beings.'
Kukai followed these words and built a temple on this site.
This was the beginning of Imakumano Kannon-ji Temple.
■ Imperial Decree of Emperor Saga (around 824–834)
During the Tencho era, the temple complex was officially established by the imperial decree of Emperor Saga,
and it was founded with the Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva as the principal image.
Since then, it has received deep reverence from the Imperial Court and nobility.
■ Origin of the name 'Imakumano Kannon-ji' (1160)
Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa, who had deep faith in the Kumano Sanzan,
could not easily make pilgrimages to the distant Kumano in Kii Province,
so in 1160, he invited Kumano Gongen to this location
and built the Shin-Kumano Shrine.
He bestowed the mountain name 'Shin-Nachisan',
and it came to be called 'Imakumano Kannon-ji'
meaning 'the new Kumano in Kyoto = the current Kumano'.
■ Decline during the Onin War
It is said that before the Onin War, it was a large temple that surpassed even Sennyu-ji,
but it declined significantly due to the fires of war.
■ Restoration (1713)
In the mid-Edo period, the main hall was rebuilt by Sojo Sogen, leading to its restoration.
The current main hall dates from this time.
■ Connection with successive Imperial families
The mausoleum of Retired Emperor Go-Horikawa (Kannon-ji Mausoleum) is adjacent to the southeast of the temple grounds,
and it is also a place with a long history
that once oversaw the burial grounds of the nobility in Toribeno.
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📜 Pilgrimage Information (Details)
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▶ Saigoku Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage, Temple No. 15
The 'Saigoku Thirty-Three', Japan's oldest pilgrimage route, is a Japan Heritage site.
Go-eika (Pilgrimage Poem):
'Since ancient times, the Imakumano
whose origin is unknown, the Buddha's vow is truly fresh.'
▶ Kinki Ten-Raku Kannon Pilgrimage for Prevention of Senility, Temple No. 1
As the head temple of the Kinki Ten-Raku Kannon Pilgrimage,
pilgrims from all over the country visit to pray for the prevention of senility and dementia.
▶ Rakuyo Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage, Temple No. 19
▶ Shinbutsu Reijo Pilgrimage Path, No. 122 (Kyoto No. 37)
▶ Senzan Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage, No. 3 (Ebisu)
▶ Kyoto Seven Lucky Gods (Ebisu)
▶ Association of Common Name Temples (Kyo no Tsusho-ji Pilgrimage)
It is rare for a temple to be part of so many pilgrimage sites,
making it a valuable place where you can efficiently complete multiple pilgrimages!
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🌿 Highlights
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🌉 Torii-bashi Bridge
A beautiful vermilion bridge spanning the entrance to the temple grounds.
It can be called the 'face' of this temple, which has no main gate,
and the contrast with the bright red maple leaves during the autumn season is spectacular!
Just crossing this bridge will lift your spirits.
🧒 Komamori Daishi Statue
A statue of Kobo Daishi that catches your eye immediately after crossing the Torii-bashi Bridge.
As a statue that protects children,
you can pray for children's health, academic success, and traffic safety.
🏯 Main Hall
Rebuilt in 1713.
The principal image, the Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, is enshrined here.
Statues of the attendants Fudo Myoo and Bishamonten are also enshrined,
and visitors praying for the warding off of evil and good luck never cease.
🕌 Daishi-do Hall (Higashiyama Daishi)
A hall dedicated to Kobo Daishi Kukai.
The maple trees growing naturally behind the Daishi-do Hall
are a famous spot said to be the 'reddest in Kyoto'.
A must-see in autumn!
💧 Gochi-no-i Well / Gochi-sui Water
A sacred spring said to have gushed forth when Kobo Daishi struck a rock with his staff.
It still flows today, and you can draw water from the tap.
Let's gratefully receive it as sacred water for warding off evil.
🗼 Isei-do Hall
A Heian-style Tahoto pagoda (built in 1984) towering on the mountain east of the main hall.
Medical practitioners who contributed to the medical world are enshrined here,
embodying the chief priest's wish for 'a society where medicine and religion work together so that humanity can live in health'.
The vermilion paint was repainted in 2016, reviving its vivid color.
🪨 Imakumano Saigoku Pilgrimage (Stone Buddha Group)
Along the approach from the side of the bell tower, past the Gochi-sui water, to the Isei-do Hall on the mountain,
the principal images of each of the Saigoku Thirty-Three temples are enshrined as stone Buddhas.
You can do a mini-pilgrimage from No. 1 to No. 33 in the mountains!
Walking quietly in the refreshing air of the forest is recommended.
⛩️ Kumano Gongen Shrine / Inari Shrine
Two shrines are enshrined as guardian deities of the temple grounds.
It is a place that retains traces of the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, with shrines inside the temple.
🐍 Kinryu Benzaiten
A Benzaiten enshrining a golden snake (snake deity).
It is said to bring benefits for performing arts and financial luck.
🍵 Tea House Kanza [Newly established in April 2025!]
A new viewing facility completed in the spring of 2025.
A healing space where you can enjoy seasonal sweets and matcha while gazing at the autumn foliage reflected on the water surface and black floor.
✦ Viewing donation: 2,000 yen (includes matcha and sweets)
※ Please check the official website and official Instagram for viewing days.
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📅 Annual Events
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🌸 Spring
Wisteria flowers color the temple grounds.
👶 Around Children's Day every year
Komamori Daishi Prayer Service (Prayer for children's health)
🔓 September 21st–23rd every year
Shikoku Pilgrimage Sand-treading Memorial Service
Special unveiling of the hidden principal image!
A valuable opportunity to see the Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva, which is not usually visible.
🍁 Mid to late November
Autumn Foliage Festival (usually early to late November)
In 2025, it is scheduled to be held from November 8th (Sat) to 24th (Substitute Holiday).
During the period, benches are lined up in the grounds, and stalls selling tea and dumplings are set up.
The maple trees around the Isei-do and Daishi-do halls are a masterpiece!
🌕 Winter
Senzan Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage (3rd Sunday of January every year)
A New Year's event visiting 9 locations in the mountains, including Sennyu-ji and Imakumano Kannon-ji.
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💰 Viewing Fees and Goshuin
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【Viewing Fee】 Free
※ Tea House Kanza has a viewing donation of 2,000 yen (includes matcha and sweets)
【Viewing Hours】
9:00–17:00 (Scripture copying hours are 9:00–16:30)
【Goshuin】 300 yen
Location: Scripture office near the main hall (handwritten)
Types of Goshuin:
✦ Saigoku Thirty-Three No. 15 'Daishiden' (Regular)
✦ Saigoku Thirty-Three No. 15 (1300th Anniversary Commemorative Seal)
✦ Rakuyo Thirty-Three No. 19 'Daishiden'
✦ Kinki Ten-Raku Kannon Pilgrimage No. 1
✦ Kyoto Seven Lucky Gods 'Ebisu'
There are many types, so it is recommended to think about which ones you want to receive according to the type of your pilgrimage book😊
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🚗 Access and Parking
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【Address】 32 Sennyuji Yamanouchi-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0977
【Access by Train/Bus】
① Get off at 'Tofukuji Station' on the JR Nara Line or Keihan Main Line
→ About a 15-minute walk to the Sennyu-ji Main Gate
→ About a 20-minute walk to the Torii-bashi Bridge
② Get off at the 'Sennyuji-michi' bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus
(Routes 202, 207, 208)
→ About a 10-minute walk to the Sennyu-ji Main Gate
→ About a 15-minute walk to the Torii-bashi Bridge
③ From Hankyu 'Kawaramachi Station' or Keihan 'Gion-Shijo Station'
→ Take the city bus to 'Sennyuji-michi' → About a 10-minute walk
④ From JR/Kintetsu 'Kyoto Station'
→ Take the city bus to 'Sennyuji-michi' → About a 10-minute walk
→ About 5 minutes by taxi
【Access by Car】
About 20 minutes from 'Kyoto-Higashi IC' on the Meishin Expressway
About 30 minutes from 'Kyoto-Minami IC' on the Meishin Expressway
【Parking】
✦ Available! Free (approx. 15 passenger cars)
✦ Location: Before the Torii-bashi Bridge in the temple grounds
✦ It's great that it can be used for free!
However, the number of spaces is limited, so arriving early during busy seasons is recommended.
※ Proceed through the Sennyu-ji approach.
When the road forks, enter between the stone lanterns on the left,
go down the slope to the parking lot before the Torii-bashi Bridge.
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✍️ Summary
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Despite being a generous temple with free viewing and free parking,
the content is extremely fulfilling!
Headaches, prevention of senility, academic success, protection of children...
There are few temples that offer such a variety of benefits.
Especially during the autumn foliage season,
I definitely want you to visit as a 'hidden spot'
where you can enjoy beautiful autumn leaves with a calmer atmosphere than Kyoto's famous places🍁
A 'Sennyu-ji Mountain Tour' combined with Sennyu-ji is also recommended.
It is also perfect for a continuous Saigoku pilgrimage course: Mii-dera (No. 14) → Imakumano Kannon-ji (No. 15) → Kiyomizu-dera (No. 16)🙏✨
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