Saihō-ji Temple

Overview

Known as the Kiryū clan's family temple, Saihō-ji carries the mountain name Umedasan and upholds the teachings of the Rinzai Kenchō-ji school in Umeda-chō, Kiryū City, Gunma Prefecture. Amida Nyorai is enshrined as its principal image.

Highlights

• ●This temple, affiliated with the Kenchō-ji branch of Rinzai Buddhism, stands in the valley of Umeda-chō, Kiryū City, and is known by the mountain title Umedasan
• ●The principal image enshrined at the center of the main hall: a statue of Amida Nyorai
• ●As a temple dedicated to the memory of successive Kiryū clan heads, its graveyard is counted among Kiryu City's designated historic sites
• ●Hotei, one of the Kiryu Seven Lucky Gods, enshrined here

History

Saihō-ji traces its origin to its founding as the Kiryū clan's family temple, and the graves of successive clan heads still remain on its grounds today. This burial site counts among Kiryū City's designated historic sites, standing as a valuable record of the clan's history. The temple is also known for enshrining Hotei among the Kiryu Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage.

Map

36.4381, 139.3559 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Pass through the mountain gate set in the hills of Umeda-cho and step onto the temple grounds
2. 2Join your hands before the principal image, Amida Nyorai, enshrined in the main hall
3. 3Visit the graves of successive Kiryu clan heads, designated a historic site of Kiryu City
4. 4Pay respects to Hotei as one stop on the Kiryu Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage

Did you know?

💡 Saihō-ji's role in the Kiryū Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage is as the temple of Hotei, and it also carries the distinction of a cultural property: the graves of successive Kiryū clan heads on its grounds are a designated historic site of Kiryu City.

Nearby spots