Joruriji Temple, located in the southern part of the Kyoto Tea Country region, is a temple of the Shingon Risshu sect of Buddhism. Though the early history of the temple is shrouded in mystery, historical records of the temple state that the monk Gimei enshrined Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha) in the first main hall in 1047. Yakushi Nyorai is the master of Eastern Pure Land Buddhism, and is officially called “Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai,” which is the origin of the temple's name.
The temple houses National Treasures (the Main Hall, the Three-Storied Pagoda, nine statues of Amida Nyorai, and statues of the Four Heavenly Kings) and several Important Cultural Properties, including the statue of Yakushi Nyorai.
In the main hall, the nine Amida Nyorai statues are lined up in a long row, which is quite splendid. It is said that approximately 30 halls like this were built around Kyoto in the Heian Period (794-1185), but this is the only one that still exists in a perfect form.
The temple’s garden depicts Gokuraku Jodo (the Pure Land in Buddhism). To the east of the main hall is a garden with a serene pond, and beyond the pond, there stands the Three-Storied Pagoda with the Yakushi Nyorai statue enshrined in it. The pond is said to be in the shape of the Sanskrit letter (the Siddham script) "a." The garden has remained in its original state, making it a rare and precious place. Surrounded by abundant nature, it is designated as the Place of Scenic Beauty in Japan.
You can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the year. Moreover, paths connecting Joruriji Temple and Gansenji Temple called Sekibutsu no Michi (paths with stone Buddhas) are a great place for hiking through history where you can meet many stone Buddhas.
- Tel
- 0774-76-2390
- Address
- 40 Nishio Futaba, Kamo-cho, Kizugawa City, Kyoto
- Access
- From Kamo Station (JR Kansai Line, Yamatoji Line), take the Kizugawa City Community Bus and get off at Joruri-ji Temple.
- Business Hours
- Opening Days and Hours
-March - November: 9:00am - 5:00pm (last admission to Main Hall: 4:30pm)
-December - February: 10:00am - 4:00pm (last admission to Main Hall: 3:30pm)
Open year-round
The statue of Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha) is generally not open to the public, but can be viewed on the 8th of every month and on the vernal and autumnal equinox days, if the weather is good. - Price
- Price
Admission to the precincts is free
Main Hall
-General: 500 yen (junior high school students and older)
-Student group: 300 yen (for 30 or more junior high or high school students) - Parking
- Available (20 cars)
-Regular-sized cars: 300 yen
-Large buses: 1,500 yen
