Seiryoji Temple

Seiryoji, known familiarly as the Saga Shakado, is one of the notable old temples of Sagano. It began in 895, when the villa of Minamoto no Toru was converted into a temple after his death; the Godaisan Seiryoji was built in 1016. Through the imposing two-storey Nio gate under its heavy tiled roof, the main hall stands directly ahead, with an Amida hall and a multi-treasure pagoda around it, and stone monuments scattered through the grounds — including the grave of Minamoto no Toru, son of Emperor Saga. In the kyogen hall on the grounds, the Saga Dainenbutsu kyogen is performed each spring and autumn. The temple's Shaka image is venerated as a living Buddha, and people come here to pray for rebirth in the Pure Land.