Byakogoji Temple

Overview

Byakogoji Temple is a Shingon-ritsu Buddhist temple located in Nara City, Nara Prefecture. Situated on the mid-slope of Koen-yama mountain, it commands stunning views of Nara city. While its founding is uncertain, tradition holds that it was built on the site of a mountain villa belonging to Prince Shiki (Shikinomiko), son of Emperor Tenji, in the Wadō period (708-715 AD). A Man'yōshū (Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves) stone monument inscribed with one of Prince Shiki's poems stands on the temple grounds. It's said the temple was revived during the Kamakura period by Kōshō Bosatsu Eizon, a renowned restorer of many temples. After Eizon's disciple, Dōshō, brought back a printed copy of the complete Buddhist sutras (Issai-kyō) from China, the temple became known as 'Issai-kyō-ji' (Temple of All Sutras). Byakogoji Temple houses a collection of Kamakura-period Buddhist statues, including the principal image of Amitābha Tathagata and statues of the King Enma and his attendants (Daizan-ō, Shimei, and Shiroku) housed in the Enma-dō hall. These statues are designated as Important Cultural Properties. The temple grounds also feature an ancient Go-shiki Tsubaki (five-colored camellia), a Nara prefectural natural monument, and one of the three famous camellias of Nara, alongside those of Todai-ji Kaisan-dō and Denkō-ji temples. In spring, the Go-shiki Tsubaki blossoms beautifully, while in autumn, the stone steps leading to the temple are adorned with bush clover. Byakogoji Temple offers a tranquil and beautiful space where you can relax and immerse yourself in history and culture, making it a highly recommended tourist destination.