Bukkō-ji, Buddhist temple in Shimogyō-ku, Japan
Bukkō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Shimogyō-ku in Kyoto that features a main hall with an Amida Buddha statue and traditional Japanese architectural forms. The complex sits in a central part of the city and combines classic timber construction with quiet inner courtyards.
Gengai, a disciple of Shinran, founded the temple in 1212 during the Kamakura period and established it as an important Jōdo Shinshū branch. In 1586 the temple was relocated to its current site under the urban planning of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
The wooden statue of Prince Shōtoku in the Amida Hall dates to 1320 and stands among the few figures of that period with a documented creation date. Internal documents confirm the exact year of carving and offer rare insight into 14th-century craftsmanship.
The grounds open from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM year-round and allow a quiet visit outside peak travel seasons. Morning ceremonies in the Amida Hall begin at 7:00 AM and offer visitors insight into daily religious life.
Emperor Go-Daigo named the temple Amida Bukkō-ji after he experienced a vision of light that led to the recovery of a stolen Buddha statue. This naming linked religious devotion with imperial support and strengthened the position of the site within the Jōdo Shinshū tradition.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
