NAGAOKAKYO CITY
長岡京市

 
 
 
 

Nagaokakyo City is a dense suburban area that is conveniently located between the cities of Kyoto and Osaka. The name of the city is derived from Nagaoka-kyo, the ancient Japanese capital that was established here from 784 until 794.

A large part of Nagaokakyo City consists of flat residential land, while the remainder is comprised of the West Mountains which are known for bamboo shoots cultivation. Scattered among this area are numerous shrines and temples which have a soft local feel while quaint restaurants and cafes serve local dishes in a relaxed atmosphere.

TRAIN ACCESS:
Shijo Kawaramachi Station- Nagaokatenjin Station
[HANKYU LOCAL LINE: 12 MINUTES]

 
 
 
 
 

SITE DESCRIPTIONS

Nagaoka Tenmangu
長岡天満宮

Nagaoka Tenmangu is a shrine most known for it’s entrance path leading to the main building which is lined with hedges of Kirishima azalea trees which are said to be 170 years old. This crimson azalea tunnel is in full bloom in late April and attracts large amounts of visitors at this time.

Nagaoka Tenmangu enshrines the spirit of Sugawara Michizane (845-903)who was a scholar and an adviser to Emperor Uda in the Heian Period. Michizane was a prominent politician and scholar of Chinese literature who was exiled by his rival. Michizane visited this place before his exile. Upon his death he was deified with the name of Tenjin and is respected as the deity of learning. Today there are about 12,000 Tenjin shrines in Japan. >>>

 

Chikubuen
竹生園

Chikubuen is a beautiful shop and gallery on the premises of Nagaoka Tenmangu. This gallery was created by Takano Chikko, a company based in Nagaokakyo City whose craftsmen specialize in creating unique pieces crafted from bamboo and old materials from Kyoto. >>>

 

Komyoji
光明寺

Komyoji is the main temple of the Seizan Jodoshu sect of Buddhism. It is believed this was where the Nenbutsu sutra chant was first taught in Japan. The temple features a vast grounds and attracts domestic sightseers from across Japan in autumn, when the leaves of its maple trees change color, then fall, and create a red carpet along the approach to the main hall. >>>

 

Chohoji
長法寺

Chohoji is a small neighborhood temple belonging to the Tendai sect that was founded by Senkan Shonin in the year 910 at the direction of the reigning emperor. There is a spring in the precincts where refreshing water springs from a rock hole. It is said that this fountain has never withered since ancient times. >>>

 

Jakushoin
寂照院

Jakushoin was founded in 819 by one of Kukai's ten great disciples, Douyuu. It is known for several Buddhist statues in it’s main prayer hall that are around one thousand years old. When Douyuu arrived at this land, a large tree towered over the property. The figure of Senju Kannon shined on the tree and the monk knew this should be location of his future temple. This temple is also the site of a bamboo grove with a very amazing origin. >>>

Hashirida Jinja
走田神社

Hashirida Jinja is a small shrine built on the edge of a forest on the hillside. It is counted as one of the nineteen important shrines of the Otokuni area. The deity enshrines Takemikazuchi no Kami, Futsunushi no Kami, Ame no Koyane no Mikoto, and Hime no Okami. It is revered as shrine of the agricultural gods where the community has historically prayed for a good harvest. >>>

 

Joganji
乗願寺

Joganji is a part of the Seizan Jodo sect, located in Jododani, about a 20 minute walk from Yanagidani Kannon. The temple was founded in the 900’s and is known for a large wooden image of Amida Buddha that is 2.8 meters tall and covered with gold leaf. >>>

 

Yanagidani Kannon
柳谷観音

Yokokuji, or more commonly known by it’s nickname as Yanaganidani Kannon, is is a temple of the Seizan Jodo sect. The temple is known for its magical water well and the lovely hydrangea on its grounds that are in bloom during summer. The death of its founder is celebrated on the 17th of each month. >>>

Shoryujijo
勝龍寺城

Shoryuji-jo was a castle that existed in Nagaokakyo City around 700 years ago. Its name comes from a historic old temple nearby of the same name, Shoryuji. In 1992 the remains of Honmaru (the castle keep) and Numatamaru (Numata area) were transformed into Shoryu-ji Castle Park, and towers were built in the style of the originals. >>>

Igenoyama Kofun
恵解山古墳

This large burial mountain was built for a powerful leader of the Kofun period. The Igenoyama Kofun is the largest in Kyoto, measuring 128m long and 30m wide. These large scale tombs where built with tremendous labor efforts that were made possible by the political power of the ruling elites of Japan during the late 3rd to the end of the 6th century, or around the time of the formation of the ancient Japanese state. >>>


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