The historic temple of Saiko-ji, located in Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, was founded in the year 756 by the Buddhist monk Ryoben. Saiko-ji is the 21st temple of the Funaigori Thirty-Three Kannon Pilgrimage (a pilgrimage of 33 temples dedicated to the bodhisattva Kannon), and is thought to have once been associated with high-ranking buddhist monks. The temple's principal icon, a seated statue of Amida Nyorai Buddha sits in the main Amida-do Hall, which was restored in the year 1799. The ranma (a traditional part of Japanese interior architecture, usually made of wood and/or paper panelling, which is attached to the part of the ceiling connecting rooms) has a spectacular dragon carved into it by the local Tango craftsman Nakai Gonji, and this ranma is now a designated cultural property of Nantan City. Also, every year on the Sundays that fall directly before the 16th and the 23rd of August, traditional Rokusai Nenbutsu Odori dances that also hold designated cultural importance to the city of Nantan are held at night. There are many old Japanese maple trees within the temple grounds, and if you walk up the stoned stairway to the bell tower, there is an excellent view of the autumn foliage.
- Tel
- Yagi Tourism Association: 0771-42-5850
- Address
- 9 Nakaishidani, Misato, Yagi-cho, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Access
- Train: 15 minutes on foot from Yoshitomi Station on the JR Sagano line.
Car: From Kyoto Ju-kan Expressway, get off at Yagi-nishi IC and continue for 5 minutes. - Business Hours
- Always open
- Parking
- Space for regular-sized vehicles: 10 (Price: Free)