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TANUKIDANISAN
FUDOIN

The Fudō Myō’ō statue enshrined with
in the main hall's inner cavern has accepted
all of our prayers these last 300 years...
and will forevermore.

ABOUT

In the year 1718, in a deep valley surrounded by three peaks and covered in dense forest, the monk Mokujiki Shōzen Tomoatsu discovered a square cavern some six meters deep. In order to pursue his ascetic mokujiki lifestyle (living off the natural products of trees and the land without processing), he resolved to settle in the cave. That valley’s name is Tanukidani, and the cave is now located within the temple’s main hall.

Soon after secluding himself, Mokujiki Shōzen Tomoatsu installed a statue of the Immovable Wisdom King Fudō Myō’ō in the cave to worship and observe the Buddhist teachings. The light of the prayers offered up to this miraculous Fudō Myō’ō has shone uninterrupted since that day, and in 2018 Tanukidanisan Fudō-in celebrated the 300th anniversary of its founding. However, until Chief Abbot Ryōei became the head priest in 1944 and oversaw the construction of temple halls, for 230 years Tanukidanisan Fudō-in was a natural site largely untouched by human hands. By virtue of the devotion offered up to the Fudō Myō’ō enshrined within the cavern, its faithful remain numerous to this day.

EVENT

  • January 1st – 3rd

    Hatsumōde
    (First Temple Visit)

    The first goma (sacred fire) service of the year, Hinode Ichiban Daigoma Hōyō (First Sunrise Great Goma Prayer Service), occurs at 7:00 in the temple’s main hall. From 9:00 the Shinshun Hatsu Kitō (First New Year’s Prayer) takes place concurrently at the main hall and at Kōtsū Anzen Jidōsha Kitō-den (the Automobile Traffic Safety Hall) every thirty minutes, bestowing the blessings of safety from Fudō Myō’ō for the new year.

  • January 28th, 9:00

    Hatsu Fudō Gan Fuji Sasazake Settai
    (First Fudō Myō’ō Ritual and Bamboo Sake Tasting)

    Hatsu Fudō is the first ritual day of the year dedicated to Fudō Myō’ō. The Immovable Wisdom King possesses the power to cleanse all evils and misfortune, and each month on the 28th at 11:00 the temple holds a goma blessing ritual, with all parishioners joining in to chant the sutras. Another event of the day is a reception serving bamboo sake said to possess gan fūji (cancer-fighting) properties (13:00 – 16:00). * Please note that the sake cannot be taken home. If you plan to drink, please refrain from driving when you visit the temple.

  • February 3rd

    Setsubun-sai and Mamemaki-shiki
    (Setsubun and Bean Throwing Ritual)

    The Setsubun ritual to invite good luck for the year takes place three times throughout the day at 11:30, 13:00, and 14:30. The temple also holds a lucky lottery with lots of prizes such as electrical appliances, household items, and food. Tickets for the lottery come with a pack of lucky beans and can be purchased for 200 yen. Everyone’s guaranteed to be a winner! Come to Tanukidanisan and shout fuku kitaru (“bring on the luck!”) together with everyone!

  • May 3rd, 11:00

    Haru no Dai Hannya Kigan-e
    (Spring Reading of the Great Hannya Sutra)

    The “rolling reading” of the Great Sutra on the Perfection of Wisdom begins at 11:00. The sutra is made of 600 scrolls and 5,000,000 characters written by the Buddhist priest Xuanzang (Genjō Sanzō in Japanese), whose quest to India was made famous in the tale Journey to the West. In order to recite this long sutra, the monks utilize a method called tendoku (“rolling reading”). In addition, each participant will have the first scroll of the sutra placed upon their body to drive off malicious energies in a tataki harai purification ritual. The first one hundred attendees receive a special talisman blessed to promote health as a gift.

  • July 28th, 19:00

    Hiwatari Matsuri
    (Fire Walking Festival)

    The Hiwatari Matsuri festival begins with a goma service at the main hall, where some twenty Tanukidanisan yamabushi mountain priests dedicate sutras to Fudō Myō’ō. Accompanied by the grand sound of conch shell trumpets echoing throughout the valley, the priests proceed to the base of the main hall. One by one, they solemnly enter the fire-walking grounds and take their seats to await the declaration of the festival’s beginning from the officiant. At last, the fire walking ritual can begin!

  • November 3rd, 11:00

    Aki Matsuri
    (Fall Festival)

    For this ritual, a cloth is tied to the sword held in the right hand of the Fudō Myō’ō statue enshrined in the depths of the cave in the main hall. This cloth is then dangled over the rails of the hall’s stage all the way down to the courtyard beneath. This way, worshippers can offer up their prayers while holding onto the cloth below. Because of this direct link to Fudō Myō’ō, this is called otsunagari sanpai (connected worship). This ritual is a precious, once-a-year chance to come into contact with Fudō Myō’ō

  • 3rd, 16th, and 28th of Each Month

    Gomagi Kigan-sai
    (Sacred Fire Service)

    On these days at 11:00, goma prayer sticks are ritually burned before the statue of Fudō Myō’ō as participants join in to chant the sutras and receive blessings through prayer beads. Prayer sticks submitted on the day will be burned on the altar during the service. (The 28th of each month is also the festival day of Fudō Myō’ō.)

PRECINCTS
WALK

  • Main Hall, Fudō Myō’ō Statue

    Mokujiki Shōzen Tomoatsu placed a stone statue of Fudō Myō’ō in a cave for worship on the northern slope of the sacred Tanukidani mountain in 1718. In order to protect the statue as the principal object of worship, the current temple was constructed in the kengai-zukuri (overhanging cliff) style in 1986. Here visitors can offer their prayers to the wish-granting Fudō Myō’ō, whose discerning countenance is shrouded with the mysterious aura of the inner cave

  • Miyamoto Musashi’s Training Waterfall

    In 1605, Miyamoto Musashi, a master swordsman of his time came to Kyoto in order to fight a series of duels with the Yoshioka school of swordsmanship lead by Yoshioka Seijūrō. Before a duel set to be fought at the sagarimatsu pine at the base of this sacred mountain, Miyamoto Musashi came to train beneath this waterfall and was deeply impressed by the sight of the evil-conquering sword held in the right hand of the Immovable Wisdom King. He realized that he must fight not out of hatred for his enemies, but to defeat his own fears and worldly desires. Confidence renewed, Musashi calmly descended the mountain and defeated the Yoshioka school leaders. Training is no longer an option at this waterfall, but it is regarded as a place to metaphorically wash away worldly desires. Worshipers believe that those who purify their bodies, hearts, and minds here will be granted Fudō Myō’ō’s blessings

  • Sansha Myōjin-dō
    (Hall of Three Great Deities)

    The Sansha Myōjin-dō hall enshrines the deities of clothing, food, and shelter that were called to the mountain by the prayers of Mokujiki Shōzen Tomoatsu in the early 1700s. When people do not suffer hunger or exposure, they are able to be civilized. When they have sufficient shelter and love, they are able to begin building a happy home and live their days in peace. Since times past, prayers for family prosperity and success in life have been offered up here, and believers continue to perform ohyaku mairi (hundred pass pilgrimage) around this hall.

  • Ususama Myō’ō

    This Wisdom King possesses the power to cleanse impurities in his ferocious flames. Because Ususama Myō’ō is known for the virtuous act of purifying even the smallest of unclean daily things, he is worshipped as the “god of the toilet”. Many people hang his talisman in their bathrooms.

  • Omukae Daishi

    Welcoming visitors halfway up the stairs to the temple is a statue of Kōbō Daishi. During his life, this monk undertook pilgrimages on foot all over Japan, so people offer up prayers here for the health of their legs. Many believers also tie votive kenkyaku waraji (straw sandals for healthy legs) to this statue.

  • Hakuryū Benzaiten Shrine

    This shrine to Hakuryū Benzaiten was placed by Mokujiki Shōzen Tomoatsu during his ascetic seclusion in 1718 with the hope that all living creatures be spared suffering, have their fears abated, and be blessed with good welfare and fortune. This shrine has many worshipers who receive miraculous blessings beyond human possibility, and many offerings are given in return.

  • Kobō Daishi Kōmyō-den Hall

    This hall enshrines Kōbō Daishi, the monk who founded Shingon Buddhism, who is also known as Kūkai. Stones set in the path around the circumference of the hall represent the 88 religious sites on the Shikoku pilgrimage route, and it is said that walking around them in prayer bestows similar blessings. Kobō Daishi Kōmyō-den is the site of Obon services on August 15th. The hall houses an ossuary called the Yasugaribyō (Mausoleum of Tranquility).

  • Kōtsū Anzen Jidōsha Kitō-den
    (Automobile Traffic Safety Hall)

    In the post-war period, when Japan became a motorized society, the Tanukidanisan Fudō-in temple, as the home of the Fudō Myō’ō known for warding off disasters, held the first ritual prayers to bless automobiles. The Automobile Traffic Safety Hall was built in 1966 and was repainted during a large-scale restoration undertaken in 2011. For over fifty years is has been said that Tanukidanisan Fudō-in is the place to go for traffic safety, and countless automobiles have been blessed in that time. Rituals are usually performed every thirty minutes between 9:00 and 16:00.

ACCESS

ADDRESS 〒606-8156
Kyoto City, Sakyō Ward, Ichijō-ji Matsubara-chō 6
TEL 075-722-0025
FAX 075-722-9516

By Car

  • 40 minutes from the southern Kyoto interchange of the Meishin Expressway

  • 30 minutes from the eastern Kyoto interchange of the Meishin Expressway

Parking information

・150 parking spaces

  • ※ Parking is free.
  • ※ Please be aware that the parking lots will be crowded during Hatsumōde and other festival days.

Public Transportation Routes

Nearest Stations

Kyoto City Bus: Ichijō-ji Sagarimatsu-chō Bus Stop
Eizan Railway: Ichijō-ji Station

  • From JR Kyoto Station

    Kyoto City Bus #5 towards Okazaki Kōen, Heian Jingū, Ginkaku-ji, and Iwakura 50 minutes

  • From Subway Shijō Karasuma Station or Hankyū Railway Karasuma Station

    Kyoto City Bus #5 towards Okazaki Kōen, Heian Jingū, Ginkaku-ji, and Iwakura 40 minutes

  • From Subway Kitaōji Station

    Kyoto City Bus Kita #8 towards Shūgaku-in and Matsugasaki Station 15 minutes

  • From Hankyū Railway Kawaramachi Station

    Kyoto City Bus #5 towards Okazaki Kōen, Heian Jingū, Ginkaku-ji, and Iwakura 30 minutes

  • From Keihan Railway Sanjō Station

    Kyoto City Bus #5 towards Okazaki Kōen, Heian Jingū, Ginkaku-ji, and Iwakura 25 minutes