Asakurayama Shinzen-in is an ancient Buddhist temple of the Tendai school located in Tarui Town, Gifu Prefecture. Founded in 739 by the revered Buddhist priest Gyōki, the temple has long been known as a sacred place associated with miraculous spiritual powers.
The temple grounds contain several important cultural treasures, including a three-story pagoda and a main hall enshrining the temple’s original Buddhist deity, both designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The grounds are also home to a bell said to be the oldest of its kind in Gifu Prefecture. With its rich history and cultural heritage, Shinzen-in is a rewarding destination for visitors interested in Japanese Buddhism and traditional architecture.
The temple’s main approach features a gently ascending flight of stone steps. As visitors make their way uphill, they can enjoy the beauty of the temple grounds, particularly during the autumn foliage season. From the upper grounds, there are sweeping views over the town of Tarui, creating a peaceful setting where nature and history blend harmoniously.
Located in Miyashiro, Tarui Town, Fuwa District, Gifu Prefecture, Shinzen-in belongs to the Tendai school of Buddhism. Its mountain name is Asakurayama, and it is also known as Asakurayama Shinzen-in, Asakura-dera, or simply Asakurayama.
The temple was formerly a monastic complex associated with Nangu Taisha Shrine, an important Shinto shrine in the region. Its history reflects the close relationship between Buddhism and Shinto that characterized Japanese religious life for centuries.
The temple’s principal Buddhist images are Muryōju Nyorai, also known as Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Buddha), and Jūichimen Kannon, the Eleven-Headed Kannon, a manifestation of the bodhisattva of compassion.
Muryōju Nyorai is also regarded as the original Buddhist manifestation, or honjibutsu, of the deity enshrined at Nangu Taisha. This concept reflects the traditional Japanese belief that Shinto deities and Buddhist figures were closely connected.
Since the Heian period (794–1185), Shinzen-in has been regarded as a place of great spiritual power. During the Tengyō era rebellion (936–941), Emperor Suzaku reportedly ordered prayers to be offered at the temple to subdue the rebel leader Taira no Masakado. Later, during the Former Nine Years’ War (1051–1063), Emperor Go-Reizei ordered prayers for the defeat of Abe no Sadatō.
Shinzen-in preserves numerous cultural treasures. Its three-story pagoda, honji-dō hall, and Buddhist bell are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The temple grounds also feature guardian Buddhas associated with the twelve animals of the Japanese zodiac.
The temple serves as the 17th pilgrimage site on the Nishi-Mino Thirty-Three Kannon Sacred Sites circuit. It is also associated with the Mino Seven Lucky Gods, enshrining Daikokuten, the deity of prosperity and good fortune.
Shinzen-in has a long-standing connection with nearby Nangu Taisha Shrine. In earlier centuries, the two sites were linked through shinbutsu-shūgō, the traditional blending of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs and practices.
Following the Meiji government’s policy of separating Shinto and Buddhism in 1868, Buddhist halls, pagodas, and monastic buildings formerly located within the Nangu Taisha grounds were relocated to the present site of Shinzen-in.
According to tradition, the temple originated as Zōhaisan Gūshoji, founded by the priest Gyōki in 739, the 11th year of the Tenpyō era. Around 790, during the Enryaku era, the Buddhist monk Saichō is said to have integrated the temple with Nangu Shrine through a system of combined Buddhist and Shinto worship. The institution was subsequently renamed Jingū-ji, meaning a temple associated with a shrine.
The Shoku Nihongi, an official historical chronicle of Japan, records that Emperor Shōmu visited Gūshoji in 740. The remains of a Nara-period temple believed to be the original Gūshoji site can still be found in Tarui Town. These ruins are designated a Historic Site by Gifu Prefecture.
1501: The temple was destroyed by fire.
1511: Toki Masafusa, the military governor of Mino Province, rebuilt the temple.
1600: The temple was destroyed alongside Nangu Shrine during the Battle of Sekigahara.
1642: Shinzen-in was rebuilt as part of the reconstruction of Nangu Shrine.
1868: Following the separation of Shinto and Buddhism, the temple’s buildings were relocated to their present site.
1982–1984: Restoration work was carried out on the three-story pagoda.
2015–2018: Major restoration work was completed on the honji-dō hall.
The honji-dō was originally the hall dedicated to the Buddhist manifestation associated with Nangu Taisha Shrine. It is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The building was reconstructed in 1642 and relocated to its current location in the early Meiji period.
Extensive restoration work was undertaken from 2015 to 2018, repairing features such as the roof structure and interior partitions to preserve the building’s historical character.
The three-story pagoda was rebuilt in 1643 and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Standing 25.38 meters tall, it originally stood within the grounds of Nangu Shrine before being relocated to Shinzen-in.
The pagoda underwent restoration between 1982 and 1984, helping preserve this important example of traditional Buddhist architecture.
The temple’s Buddhist bell dates from the late Nara period (710–794) and is designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. It measures 165 centimeters in overall height, with the bell body measuring 129 centimeters. It is regarded as the oldest bell in the Tokai region, making it particularly significant for the study of early Japanese Buddhist art and metalworking.
The bell tower was rebuilt in 1642 and is designated an Important Cultural Property by Gifu Prefecture. It forms part of the temple’s historic architectural ensemble.
The iron pagoda was recast in 1398 and is designated an Important Cultural Property by Gifu Prefecture. According to tradition, it is one of the religious offerings that Hōjō Masako, the widow of Minamoto no Yoritomo, donated to shrines and temples throughout Japan following her husband’s death.
The Kannon Hall was originally established in 766 and is designated a cultural property by Tarui Town. Formerly known as Hōju-in, it served as the inner sanctuary of Nangu Taisha Shrine and reflects the historical relationship between Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
With its long history and extensive collection of cultural properties, Shinzen-in holds an important place in the religious and cultural heritage of Japan. Its connections to emperors, Buddhist priests, historical conflicts, and the former practice of combining Shinto and Buddhist worship make it a valuable site for understanding Japanese religious history.
The temple’s historic buildings and sacred objects offer visitors a tangible connection to the past, while its tranquil grounds provide a peaceful setting for reflection.
Located in Tarui Town, Gifu Prefecture, Asakurayama Shinzen-in welcomes visitors with its serene atmosphere, scenic views, and remarkable cultural heritage. The temple is particularly beautiful in autumn, when colorful foliage enhances the historic surroundings.
Visitors can appreciate nationally and prefecturally designated cultural properties at close range while discovering the stories and traditions that have shaped this ancient temple over more than a thousand years. Shinzen-in is an ideal destination for those seeking a combination of history, spirituality, and natural beauty.