Jan. 06, 2023 UPDATE
Daitoku-ji Soken-in Special Opening Event
- 大徳寺 総見院 特別公開 -Traveler Friendly
English pamphlets are available. Please reference the English on their website.
Information
English pamphlets available
Languages spoken
Simple English only
PeriodApril 1st, 2023 - May 7th, 2023 , only on weekends and national holidays.
※Open every day from April 29th to May 7th.
※Open from 11:30 on April 2nd and May 7th.
※Closed days: undecided.
※There is a possibility that the number of days when the temple is closed may increase depending on the circumstances of the temple.
VenueDaitoku-ji Soken-in
Story & Recommendation
Think back on their way of life at the Oda Nobunaga family temple
The usually closed Daitoku-ji Soken-in temple will hold a special opening event this spring!
Soken-in is a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji, the main temple of the Daitoku-ji faction of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. Toyotomi Hideyoshi built this temple to pray for the soul of Oda Nobunaga. The temple’s name comes from Nobunaga’s legal name. “Soken” means “Seer of all” and if you look at that period, it appropriately represents his life, as Nobunaga strived for the unification of the whole country under one rule.
Within Soken-in, there is a wooden statue of a sitting Oda Nobunaga dedicated by Hideyoshi which has been designated as an important cultural asset, the tombstones of the Nobunaga family and a beautiful, modern tea room.
We defiantly recommend anyone interested in deepening their understanding of Oda Nobunaga to take this chance to visit this temple.
1Highlight
Wooden seated statue of Oda Nobunaga
This important cultural asset made of wood sits in the Hondo main hall.
This life size statue is approximately 115cm tall.
It is said that this statue was produced by Toyotomi Hideyoshi for a Hoyo Buddhist memorial service to mark the first anniversary of Oda Nobunaga's death. Using cypress wood it was created by Kosei, the Sengoku period's first class Buddhist sculptor.
Nobunaga's likeness is conveyed well through the piercing gaze of the statue’s glaring eyes.
2Highlight
The Nobunaga family tombstones
In this temple you can see the Oda Nobunaga family tombstones. Not only Nobunaga himself, but the tombstones of his wife and children are here too. Nobunaga’s tombstone is the third from the left.
Strictly speaking, this is not the official grave of Nobunaga. That is because Nobunaga’s body has never been found. For this reason, it means that Nobunaga is not actually buried here. However, these tombstones have been placed in memorial of the Nobunaga family
There are many graves for Oda Nobunaga across Japan, but it is said that the only one Toyotomi Hideyoshi recognized was the one in Soken-in.
- Manner & Tips -
Photography in the temple precinct is not prohibited outside the garden.
There is no wheelchair access due to the structure of the buildings.
Please always follow the staff’s instructions while inside the temple precinct.
If it judged you are interfering with the viewing of the temple, they will ask you to leave upon returning the admission fee.
