Sekihoji Temple is a temple of the Őbaku school of Zen Buddhism. The temple has distinctive Chinese-style gates, which is a characteristic of Obaku School. Obaku School was introduced to Japan from China during the Edo period. Therefore, the Chinese influence is still present in the exterior of the buildings.
Sekihoji Temple and Ito Jakuchu
Sekihoji temple is the place where Ito Jakuchu, one of the most famous painters of the Edo period, built a hamlet and spent the last years of his life. You can find his cemetery in the temple ground (there is his another grave in Shokokuji Temple).
On the mountain behind the main hall of the temple, there are stone statues of 500 arhats (followers of Buddha) and others made under Jakuchu Ito. This is a very interesting place, as the stone statues represent scenes from the birth to the death of Buddha. Jakuchu Ito was not a scalpter but a painter. Jakuchu drew the Five Hundred Arhats and stonemasons made them.
Unfortunately, you cannot take photos of them. So please visit the Sekihoji Temple website to see them.






Ito Jakuchu Exhibition in Sekihoji Temple
Every year on September 10, the anniversary of Ito Jakuchu’s death, Sekihoji Temple exhibits Jakuchu’s paintings from its collection. More than 10 of Jakuchu’s works, including his famous tiger paintings, will be on display. This is a unique opportunity to see a large number of works by Jakuchu Ito.
Sekihoji is within 10 minutes walk from famous Fushimi Inari shrine, but only few tourists visit this temple.
Nearby spots
The Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, which is very popular for its 1,000 vermilion Torii gates, is very close by. If you happen to stop by Fushimi Inari, I highly recommend that you also visit Sekihoji Temple.
The nearby Hotoji Temple, despite having a treasure tower designated as an important cultural asset, is still rarely visited by tourists. I recommend visiting during the cherry blossom season.
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