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Gifu Zenkoji

A temple that enshrines the Zenkoji Nyorai Buddha, brought to Gifu by Lord Nobunaga.

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Head Editor : Gifu Zenkoji

During the Sengoku period, after becoming the lord of Gifu Castle, Oda Nobunaga brought the Zenkoji Nyorai Buddha from Shinshu (present-day Nagano Prefecture) to Gifu. This Buddha had been moved to Kai (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture) and then to Kofu by the warlord Takeda Shingen of Kai, establishing the temple.

After Nobunaga's death in the Incident at Honno-ji, the Zenkoji Nyorai was moved by his second son, Nobukatsu, to Jimoku-ji in Owari (present-day Aichi Prefecture), then by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Hongan-ji in Kyoto, and finally by Tokugawa Ieyasu to Kamoe-ji in Totomi (present-day Shizuoka Prefecture), before returning to its original location in Shinshu's Zenkoji. On the sacred site where the Zenkoji Nyorai was once enshrined during Nobunaga's time, his grandson Oda Hidenobu built a hall and enshrined a replica of the Zenkoji Nyorai Buddha.

Like its counterpart in Shinshu, Gifu Zenkoji welcomes worshippers without concern for sect or denomination, gathering a wide following. The temple is also known for its "Cucumber Sealing" ritual in July, where evil spirits are believed to be sealed in cucumbers for protection against misfortune.

Highlights

  • The temple originated from Nobunaga bringing the Zenkoji Nyorai Buddha from Kofu.
  • Nobunaga's grandson, Oda Hidenobu, constructed a hall to enshrine a replica of the Zenkoji Nyorai.
  • The "Cucumber Sealing" ritual is held annually in July for protection against misfortune.

Photos

  • The main hall was completely destroyed in an earthquake during the Meiji era, and the current main hall was reconstructed in the Taisho era.

    The main hall was completely destroyed in an earthquake during the Meiji era, and the current main hall was reconstructed in the Taisho era.

  • The Kobo Hall, located to the left of the main hall, enshrines Fudo Myoo as its principal deity.

    The Kobo Hall, located to the left of the main hall, enshrines Fudo Myoo as its principal deity.

  • The ceiling of the main hall features crests deeply associated with the temple: the Oda family crest (in front) and the Toyotomi family crest (at the back). The central Aoi crest is not that of the Tokugawa family but the temple's own crest.

    The ceiling of the main hall features crests deeply associated with the temple: the Oda family crest (in front) and the Toyotomi family crest (at the back). The central Aoi crest is not that of the Tokugawa family but the temple's own crest.

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have pamphlets in other languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)
A

Sorry, we don’t.

Q

Are there Goshuin (temple stamps)?
A

There are three Goshuin available: for Zenkoji Nyorai, Fudo Myoo, and Kobo Daishi.

Q

Is parking available?
A

Yes.

Q

Are coin lockers available?
A

Not available.

Q

Are there any smoking areas?
A

Not available.

Reviews

Details

Name in Japanese
岐阜善光寺
Postal Code
500-8043
Address
1-8 Inabadori, Gifu City, Gifu
Telephone
058-263-8320
Closed
Open every day
Business Hours
9:00am - 5:00pm
Admission
Free
Access
From JR Gifu Station or Meitetsu Gifu Station, ride the Bus bound for Nagarabashi for 13 minutes, and get off at Inabadori, and about walk 5 minutes.
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)

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