Gankei-ji Temple (元慶寺)
Gankei-ji Temple is a Tendai Sect temple located in Yamashina-ku Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. It was founded in 877 by Henjo Sojo, the high priest. It is Bangai Fudasho (an additional temple) of the 33 temples of Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage. The principal image is Bhaisajyaguru.
In 986, Emperor Kazan was tricked into abdicating and entering the priesthood by FUJIWARA no Kaneie and his son FUJIWARA no Michikane, and Imperial Prince Kanehito (Emperor Ichijo), Kaneie's grandchild from a daughter who married into another family, acceded to the Imperial throne. The temple is also known as Kazan-ji Temple and is referred by this name in The Great Mirror.
Location
13 Kitakazan Kawara-cho, Yamashina-ku Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 607-8476
Neighboring Pilgrimage Sites
The 33 Temples of Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage
Ishiyama-dera Temple; Enjo-ji Temple; Gankei-ji Temple; Kannon-ji Temple (Higashiyama-ku Ward, Kyoto City)
Access
Walk from Goryo Station on the Tozai Line of the Kyoto City Subway.