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An ancient temple with distinguished treasures

It was initiated by Emperor Koko and founded by Emperor Uda in 888. From then until 1867, it was a temple of imperial descent, with members of the imperial family serving as head priests for generations. It is currently the head temple of the Omuro school of Shingon Buddhism, and was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994. In 1468, the temple buildings were burned down during the Onin War, but the principal image of the temple, the Amida Trinity, and other treasures were carefully preserved and have been passed down to the present day. During the Edo period, the temple was rebuilt by the shogunate in 1646, and even today you can still see its original appearance. It is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. The Reihokan Museum houses a wide range of materials, including the Amida Trinity, which was the principal image at the time of the temple's founding, as well as paintings, calligraphy, crafts, archaeology, and ancient documents. It is open to the public twice a year, in spring and autumn.