Shakuzoji Temple (Kuginuki Jizo)

Shakuzoji Temple, also known as Kuginuki Jizo (Nail-Pulling Jizo), is a Jodo sect Buddhist temple located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. It was founded in 819 by Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi. The main deity is a stone statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, said to have been carved by Kukai himself.

The temple is widely known as “Kuginuki Jizo” (Nail-Pulling Jizo), and there’s an interesting story behind this name. According to legend, a merchant suffering from hand pain prayed to this Jizo Bodhisattva. In a dream, the Jizo appeared and removed nails representing karmic suffering from his previous life. From this event, it became known as “Kunuki Jizo” (Pain-Removing Jizo), which later evolved into “Kuginuki Jizo” (Nail-Pulling Jizo).

Kyoto City Official Travel Guide

At the entrance of the temple, there’s a large statue of a nail puller. The outer walls of the main hall are covered with about 1,000 unique votive tablets. These tablets have nails and nail pullers attached to them, offered by people in gratitude after their sufferings were alleviated.

The temple grounds also house a stone Amida Triad statue from the Kamakura period, designated as an important cultural property and known as the oldest single-stone Buddhist statue in Japan.

Shakuzoji Temple has long been beloved by people seeking relief from suffering and illness. Even today, many visitors come to pray for the removal of physical and mental anguish.

Admission is free, and the temple is open from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. It’s easily accessible from Kyoto Station by taking City Bus 206 for about 25 minutes and getting off at the “Senbon Ichijo” bus stop.

Nearby spots from Kuginuki Jizo Temple

Daihouonji Temple, known as Senbon Shakado was founded in 1221. The awe-inspiring main hall, a national treasure, miraculously withstood historical wars like the Onin War, showcasing scars from that era.

Daihouonji Temple (大報恩寺)-Senbon Shakado

Jobonrendaiji Temple was a central temple in Rendaino, one of Kyoto’s three major burial grounds.

Jobonrendaiji Temple

The most distinctive feature of Senbon Enmado is its main deity, King Enma, the ruler of the underworld in Buddhist tradition. The 2.4-meter-tall statue of King Enma was created in 1488.

Injiji Temple (Senbon Enmado)