Akishino Shrine

Akishino-dera Temple is said to have been founded around 780, in the late Nara period, by imperial order of Emperor Kōnin, and opened by Zenju Sōjō. It is called "Akishino-dera" because it was built in a place known as "Akishino," on the northwestern outskirts of Heijō-kyō. Located in what is now a suburban area of Nara City, it has the atmosphere of a hidden temple. The temple is home to many Important Cultural Properties, including its main hall, which is a National Treasure. The most famous among them is the Gigiten (Important Cultural Property). Gigiten is revered as a celestial maiden associated with the performing arts and as a guardian deity of various skills and arts, and is beloved by many artists and entertainers. It is the only surviving statue of its kind in Japan. While the head dates to the Nara period and the body was repaired in the Kamakura period, its harmonious beauty continues to captivate viewers. From the north exit of Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station, take the bus bound for Oshikuma for about 6 minutes, get off at "Akishino-dera," and it is immediately nearby.