Ninna-ji

Temple · Kyoto

Omuro Gosho

Researched and translated with AI assistance. Every claim is linked to its source, but errors get through, so check the official site for opening times, fees and closures.About

In short

Head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon, standing since its founding in 888 — and named after the era it was finished in.

The five-storey pagoda at Ninna-ji above the temple grounds. — 663highland / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5)

Quick facts

Address: 33 Omuroouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto

About this place

Ninna-ji is in Ukyo, Kyoto, and is head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism. It has stood since its founding in the fourth year of Ninna, 888, and is inscribed as World Heritage. Its name comes from that era name, Ninna.

Origin and history

Ninna-ji has stood since its founding in the fourth year of Ninna, 888, and is head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism.

It is inscribed as World Heritage.

What it is locally associated with

Origin
Named after an era
Founded in the fourth year of Ninna, 888, the temple takes its name from that era name.
documented history
Power spot
Head temple of the Omuro school
Ninna-ji is head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism and is inscribed as World Heritage.
documented history

Three things the temple states about itself with certainty: it was founded in the fourth year of Ninna, it is head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon, and it is World Heritage.

The name is inside the first of those. Built in the fourth year of Ninna, so: Ninna-ji. The era name became the temple’s name. Few temples in the capital can put their origin that briefly.

This page stops there. The circumstances of the founding and the line of abbots go beyond what the temple’s own account gives. No category of prayer is attached either.

Claims and evidence levels 2

Ninna-ji has stood since its founding in the fourth year of Ninna, 888, and takes its name from that era name. documented history
It is head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism and is inscribed as World Heritage. documented history

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