Have you ever heard of Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto?
This place is famous as a mysterious spot where the entrance to hell is said to be located.
It is said to be the well where Ono Takamura \"went back and forth between this world and the other world\" in the past, and we are actually forbidden to get a closer look, which makes us more nervous.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
So what kind of place is Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple, considered a mysterious spot in Kyoto?
You may also be interested in the history and sights.
We would like to introduce the history, attractions, and highlights of Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple in Kyoto, Japan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
What kind of place is Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple in Kyoto?
Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple, also known as \"Shrine of the Six Paths,\" is located in Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto.
The temple is a member of the Kenninji School of Rinzai Sect, and its principal deity is Yakushi Nyorai, commonly known as \"Rikudosan.
From August 7 to August 10, there is the \"Rikudo Pilgrimage,\" and in the precincts of the temple is a well where Ono Takamura is said to have passed to the underworld.
Please note that prior registration is required to view the hall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The history of Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple dates back to the early Heian period.
It is said to have been founded during the Enryaku period (782-805).
Otagi-dera Temple
Ho-Ho-Ho-Ji Temple
Toribuji Temple
It was also known by names such as
It is said that this Rikudo-Jinno-ji Temple was built by the monk Keishun, the abbot of Daian-ji Temple in Nara and Kukai's mentor.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
During the Kamakura period (1185-1333), warfare devastated Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple.
It disappeared during the perpetual year of 1113 and was devastated during the military wars of the Middle Ages.
Rikudo-Jinno-ji Temple, which had fallen into a state of ruin, was rebuilt by Monkei Ryoso in Jouji 3, and once again assumed a beautiful appearance.
This led to the change from the Shingon sect to the Kenninji school of the Rinzai sect.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple is not unlike a typical temple as far as its features and history are concerned, but this temple is said to be a \"temple that connects the afterlife and this world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
So why is it said that way?
Let's see why.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The whole area of Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple was once a burial ground.
The area around the entrance to Toribuno is called Rokudo no Tsuji, and it is said that a Buddhist memorial service was held here at Rikudo Chin'oji Temple on the road to Toribuno to say the final farewell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Perhaps because of this custom, the area around Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple is called \"Rikudo no Tsuji,
Entrance to the Underworld
The Road to Hell
and so on.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Rikudo\" refers to the Buddhist concept of the six realms of reincarnation, or the afterlife: hell, hunger, damnation, shura, the heavenly realm, and mankind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Legend has it that Ono Takamura, an official of the Imperial Court, used the well to travel between the other world and this world.
Although usually a distinguished official of the imperial court, he had another face at night, and is said to have worked as an official of the Underworld Office of Enma.
I heard that he learned the law of welcoming spirits from King Yama.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
But why did Ono Takamura travel back and forth between this world and the next?
The reason for this is to visit the spirit of his deceased mother.
Ono Takamura, who went from the well to hell, found his mother suffering and negotiated with Enma.
And it is said that he ended up working in hell.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
I have an image of Ono Takamura as a scary person, but I think he has a kind heart because he worked for King Enma with the sole intention of helping his mother who was suffering.
The well that is said to be the exit and well that leads to the underworld, where such legends remain, is still alive and well today.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In fact, there are other legends about Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple.
It is the \"Legend of Ghost Child Care Candy.
There was a candy shop at Rokudo no Tsuji in another long time ago.
One night, a woman with long hair and slumped shoulders came in to buy candy.
The next day, when I looked at the money box that my husband paid for, I saw that the three sentences had turned into leaves.
That night, the woman appears again.
She said she would buy the same syrup today, and this woman came back the next day and the day after that to buy more candy.
One day, the owner followed a woman who came to buy candy.
The woman then disappeared into a graveyard in the capital of Kyoto.
When I told this to the monk, he said that a young woman had died about 10 days ago, and my husband went to see her grave.
Then he saw a baby crying over the carcass of a young woman, licking syrup.
This means that this woman went out every night to buy syrup for her baby.
After this, the candy shop became very prosperous as \"ghost candy.
And even today, ghost child care candy is still sold as a souvenir shop in \"Minato-ya\".<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This section summarizes the highlights of Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple in Kyoto.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
In the Enma Hall, you can see a standing statue of Ono Takamura, a seated statue of King Enma, and a seated statue of Kobo Daishi (Kukai).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The bell was believed to reach the underworld with its sound.
Spirits were called to this world in response to this sound.
The bell is rung by pulling a rope extending from a hole in the hall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This is where Kukai is said to have carved a stone Buddha in one night to mourn the souls of the dead.
See many Jizo Bodhisattvas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The place can be viewed only during special openings.
There is a well here.
If it is not open to the public, it can still be seen through the lattice window at the end of the main hall.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This is the well where Ono Takamura is said to have traveled to and from the underworld.
A well that is said to have actually been used still remains.
There is also a depression in the paving stone in front of the well, which is said to be Ono Takamura's footprint.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
This well was considered the exit to the underworld.
It is interesting to see different wells at the entrance and exit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Here are some reviews of Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple, Kyoto, Japan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
...through the well to hell.... What an amazing story. The well in the garden is very atmospheric.
I actually visited after hearing amazing stories. I was surprised that the bells can be rung.
Through the lattice window of the hall, we could see the wooden standing statue of \"Sir Ono Takamura\" and the wooden seated statue of \"King Enma\".
I was able to take a leisurely stroll in this temple, which is said to be the border between this world and the next. Looks a little scary at certain times of the day.
The temple has interesting stories about the border between this world and the next, but the building itself has a very elegant atmosphere that I enjoyed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Finally, let's look at the address and how to get to Rikudo-Jinnoji Temple in Kyoto, Japan.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
595 Komatsu-cho, 4-chome, Shijo-sagaru, Yamato-oji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
From Kyoto Station Bus Terminal, board the 100 bus bound for Kiyomizu-dera, Gion, or Ginkaku-dera at platform D1, and disembark at the Kiyomizu-do stop.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n