Nison-in Temple

Nison-in is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, with the mountain name Ogurayama and temple name Kadai-ji. The name “Nison-in” is said to derive from two statues: “Shaka who dispatches” and “Amida who comes in welcome” (the two Tathagatas). Access is about a 15-minute walk from Arashiyama Station (Keifuku Railway) or about a 19-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station (JR Sagano Line). It was founded in the early Heian period, in the Jowa era, by Ennin (Jikaku Daishi) under an imperial command of Emperor Saga. The main hall was rebuilt in 1521 (Eisho 18), and the plaque reading “Nison-in” is said to be in the handwriting of Emperor Go-Nara. The main gate is believed to have been relocated in 1613 (Keicho 18) from Fushimi Castle’s yakuimon gate. Ogurayama is famed in classical waka poetry—for example, “Ogurayama / mine no momijiba / kokoro araba / ima hitotabi no / miyuki matanan” (Teishin Ko, Hyakunin Isshu). The broad approach is called “Momiji no Baba” (Maple Horse Ground), and in autumn it becomes crowded with visitors seeking the vivid fall foliage.