About Bujoji
Bujoji (峰定寺) is a temple of the Honzan Shugen sect halfway up Mount Daihi in Hanase, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, whose main hall and water pavilion of around 1345 to 1349 and Nio Gate of 1350 were designated Important Cultural Properties on February 18, 1904. It is also known as Daihizan Bujoji (Kyoto City Tourism Association).
According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, Bujoji was founded in 1154 by the monk Kanku. A training ground for Shugendo mountain asceticism, it is called the "Northern Omine" in contrast to Mount Omine in Nara. It is a mountain temple noted for rhododendrons in spring and autumn colours.
Two Important Cultural Properties
The main hall, five bays by five with a hipped shingle roof, is built out over a cliff on stilts (kakezukuri). The Kyoto City Tourism Association describes it as the oldest stage-style building in Japan. The water pavilion, one bay square with a cusped gable facing forward and a board roof, is designated together with the hall (Agency for Cultural Affairs, Kyoto City Tourism Association).
Both were designated an Important Cultural Property in 1904. The Nio Gate is a three-bay, single-passage gate on eight pillars, with a hip-and-gable shingle roof; the Agency for Cultural Affairs dates it to 1350.
Visiting Bujoji
According to the Kyoto City Tourism Association, Bujoji opens on an irregular basis and is closed from December to March and in rain. The path from the Nio Gate to the main hall runs through a protected historic natural environment area, about 30 minutes there and back; visitors may go only as far as the main hall, and the mountain beyond is off limits.
Take the Kyoto Bus to Daihizan-guchi and walk about 30 minutes. Telephone 075-746-0036 (Kyoto City Tourism Association).
References
- Bujoji (Kyoto City Tourism Association)
- https://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single01.php?category_id=7&tourism_id=411
- Bujoji Main Hall (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1680
- Bujoji Water Pavilion (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1681
- Bujoji Nio Gate (Database of National Cultural Properties)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1682
Last verified: 2026.10.07
Basic Information
| Name | Bujoji |
|---|---|
| Location | Hanaseharajicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Owner | Bujoji |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (2) |
| Coordinates | 35.23569, 135.79367 |
