Daihoonji Temple

Daihōon-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. It is affectionately known as Senbon Shakado ("Senbon Shaka Hall"), and the origin of the name is explained by several theories, including the strong devotion to the principal image of Shakyamuni Buddha and the nearby Senbon Street. The temple began in 1221 when the monk Gikū established a small hall and enshrined a seated statue of Shakyamuni. Although the temple once consisted of multiple buildings, most were lost in the Ōnin War, leaving only the main hall. The National Treasure main hall, built in 1227, is the oldest surviving wooden structure in central Kyoto. The temple is also associated with the famous "Okame Legend," in which the master carpenter’s wife Okame offered crucial advice that helped complete the construction, yet she passed away without ever seeing the finished building. Senbon Shakado is located just northeast of Kitano Tenmangū Shrine. Kyoto’s oldest geisha district, Kamishichiken, lies between Senbon Shakado and Kitano Tenmangū, and the Kitano Odori dance performances are held there in spring. From the city bus stop "Kamishichiken," it is about a 3-minute walk north to reach the temple.