Sekiho-ji Temple

Sekiho-ji Temple is a peaceful Obaku Zen temple in southern Kyoto, best known for its close connection with the celebrated Edo-period painter Ito Jakuchu. Tucked away on a wooded hillside, the temple preserves one of the artist’s most remarkable achievements: a hillside filled with expressive stone statues known as the Five Hundred Arhats.

Unlike the colorful paintings for which Jakuchu is famous, these stone sculptures reveal his creativity in three-dimensional form. Today, Sekiho-ji is a unique destination where visitors can experience the intersection of Buddhist devotion, sculpture, and Japanese art history.

History

Sekiho-ji was founded in 1682 by the Obaku monk Hyakusetsu Genyo. After the Great Tenmei Fire of 1788, the renowned painter Ito Jakuchu retired to the temple, where he spent the final years of his life.

Over roughly a decade, Jakuchu designed and supervised the creation of an extensive collection of stone statues depicting Five Hundred Arhats, together with images of Shakyamuni Buddha and other Buddhist figures. These sculptures remain one of the few surviving examples of Jakuchu’s artistic vision beyond painting, making the temple an important destination for both art lovers and Buddhist pilgrims.

Highlights

Five Hundred Arhats

Explore the remarkable hillside of stone statues conceived by Ito Jakuchu.

Temple of Ito Jakuchu

Discover the place where one of Japan’s greatest painters spent his final years.

Hillside Stone Sculptures

Walk among expressive Buddhist figures surrounded by peaceful woodland.

Obaku Zen Temple

Experience the distinctive atmosphere of the Obaku school, influenced by Chinese Buddhist traditions.

Seasonal Beauty

Enjoy fresh greenery in spring and brilliant autumn foliage in a tranquil mountain setting.

Visit Tips

Don’t stop at the Main Hall—the hillside stone sculptures are the true highlight of Sekiho-ji. Each Arhat has its own unique expression, revealing Jakuchu’s imagination and remarkable artistic vision.

The temple pairs well with nearby Fushimi Inari Taisha, Tofuku-ji Temple, and Sennyu-ji Temple, offering a rewarding itinerary that combines art, Zen Buddhism, and some of Kyoto’s most significant historic sites.