Sennyu-ji Temple is located at the foot of Mt. Tsukinowa in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto. The origin of this temple, which is familiar to citizens by the name "Mitera," can be traced back to the Tencho Era (824-834) when Priest Kobo founded a small temple in its current place.

 

That small temple, first called "Horinji" and later "Sen' yu-ji", was remarkably enlarged by Priest Tsukinowa Shunjo in 1218. Large temple buildings were built in the contemporary Chinese style of the Song Dynasty, and the temple was renamed after the clear water which began flowing from its precinct, Sennyu-ji Temple (temple of flowing fountain). Priest Shunjo entered the priesthood as a young man and traveled to China during the Song Dynasty to study Buddhism. The temple was supported by the Imperial family, who were pious Buddhists. Since the burial of the Emperor Shijo in this temple in 1242, the mausoleum of several succeeding emperors were built in this area, with this temple playing the role of the temple of mourning for the Imperial family.

 

The scenic temple precinct includes the Butsu-den (Buddha's hall), the Shari-den (relic's hall), the Reimei-den for the repose of the late emperors, and other buildings.