Daiho-onji Temple (Senbon Shakado Hall)
temple
Daiho-onji Temple (Senbon Shakado Hall)
大報恩寺（千本釈迦堂）
Overview
The Senbon Shakado Hall, the main hall at the Shingon Buddhist Daiho-onji Temple, is the oldest surviving wooden structure in Kyoto.
The Senbon Shakado Hall at Daiho-onji Temple is the oldest surviving wooden structure in Kyoto, built in 1227 and designated a National Treasure. Its survival owes something to a famous legend: when the head carpenter accidentally cut a main pillar too short, his wife Okame suggested trimming all pillars to match and using extended eaves to compensate. The hall was completed on schedule. Okame later took her own life to protect her husband's reputation, and her spirit was enshrined on the grounds. Construction workers still visit to pray before new projects, and the temple draws those hoping for luck in marriage, with Okame dolls displayed throughout the compound.
Local tips
Remove shoes before entering any hall. Look for a shoe rack at the entrance. Carry a plastic bag for your shoes if none is provided.
Practical info
- Japanese name
- 大報恩寺（千本釈迦堂）
- Nearest station
- Kinkakuji-michi Bus Stop (15 min walk)
- Payment
- Cash only
- Reservations
- not required
Want to visit Daiho-onji Temple (Senbon Shakado Hall)?
Build a trip to Kyoto