Hello, this is the staff of The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa. Have you ever heard of Somedonoin, a jizu-do (temple hall) that has a 1200-year history and has been loved in Kyoto as a temple for safe childbirth? Today, we would like to introduce you to this small jizu-do, which is full of many attractions, not least of which is, of course, prayers for easy childbirth!

What is Somedonoin?

Somedonoin Temple is a small jizo-do located on a corner between Shinkyogoku Dori, the oldest shopping street in Kyoto, and Shijo Dori, a well-known central street in Kyoto.

Once you step into the temple grounds, which are surrounded by buildings, you will forget that you are in downtown Kyoto, and you will be surrounded by a quiet and tranquil atmosphere that will naturally calm your mind and soul.

It takes about 5 minutes on foot from The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa to Somedonoin Temple. It can be reached from either Shijo Dori or Shinkyogoku Dori, both of which are lined with many souvenir stores and delicious restaurants, making it a must-visit spot for hotel guests when exploring the area.

There are two entrances to Somedonoin, one is on the Shinkyogoku Dori side.
Enter Shinkyogoku Dori from Shijo Dori, go “up” (north) a little, and you will see a small entrance on your left, tucked between buildings.

The other entrance is located along Shijo Street. But actually, this one is also located in a slightly unusual place.

First of all, please take a look at this picture.

Can you see a faintly familiar lantern in the back right corner?
Let’s move a little closer…

That’s it! The entrance to Somedonoin is located behind the store of Hayashi Manshodo, a sweet chestnut specialty store along Shijo Street! Of course, you can go through the entrance by asking the staff of Hayashi Manshodo.

History of Somedonoin

The history of Somedonoin, a jizu-do that has been loved in Kyoto to this day, dates back to 808, more than 1,200 years ago, when Kobo-Daishi Kukai built the temple.
How did such a small jizu-do come to be called a temple that protects women from childbirth?

The reason is based on a legend that dates back to around 850, about 50 years after the temple’s founding.

Empress Akiko Fujiwara (Empress Somedonoin), the wife of Emperor Montoku, was favored by the Emperor but was unable to bear children. One day, she heard a rumor that a Jizo Bosatsu (Jizo Bodhisattva; a deity) was enshrined at a temple in Shijo, and prayed for 17 days for blessings.
On the last day of the 17-day period, she received a sign of pregnancy and later gave birth to a boy, who later became the Emperor Seiwa.

From this, the temple became widely known as Somedonoin and the Jizo Bosatsu as Somedono Jizo, and now the temple continues to watch over the people of Kyoto and serves as a temple that protects safe delivery.

On the day I visited the temple to take pictures, there were people praying for safe delivery, and people who came to thank the temple for the safe birth of their child. It is very moving to think that the history that Somedonoin has warmly observed has been created through such an accumulation of people.

The Secrets of Somedonoin Temple

Somedonoin Temple is famous as a temple that protects women from childbirth. However, there is much more to this small jizu-do than just praying for safe delivery. Here are some of the secrets of Somedonoin!

Somedonoin Temple Secret #1: The main deity, Jizo Bosatsu, is a secret Buddha

As mentioned above, Somedonoin Temple was opened by Kobo Daishi Kukai. The Jizo Bosatsu, the principal image of the temple, is said to be a bare wooden statue measuring approximately two meters in height. However, since this Jizo Bosatsu is a hidden statue that is opened only once every 50 years, there are many people, even temple workers, who have never seen it.

The next opening of the temple is still undecided, but it has been more than 50 years since the last opening, so there may be an opportunity to see the Jizo Bosatsu in the near future.

There are many legends about this Jizo Bosatsu. One of these stories is posted on the Somedonoin website.

One is a story about Kunishi Muso, the founder of Saiho-ji, a moss temple in Matsuo. Kunishi was trying to create a garden, but he could not move a stone. Suddenly, a strange monk appeared and helped him. The master was so happy that he gave him his own robe. When Kunimasa visited Somedonoin Temple in Shijo a few days later, he found Jizo Bodhisattva wearing the kesa he had given to the monk.

From Somedonoin’s website

The Jizo Bosatsu, the principal image of the temple, is said to have been created by Kukai and is still called “Somedono-san” by the local people.

Once you enter the temple through the entrance on the Shinkyogoku side, you will be greeted by the Jizo Bosatsu, the principal image of the temple, as well as many other Jizo statues, giving you a very warm welcoming feeling.

Somedonoin Temple Secret #2 Binzuru-san and Myoken-san

In addition to the Jizo Bosatsu, the principal image of the temple, many other Jizo statues welcome visitors to Somedonoin Temple.

First, let me tell you about Binzuru-san.
Binduro is said to be the first of the Sixteen Arhats, the disciples of the Buddha, and is said to have had great power to cure illnesses.

Today, he is also known as Nadebotoke, or Nade Buddha, and it is said that if you stroke the part of the Buddha’s body that is affected, the disease will be cured. The Binzuru-san enshrined in Somedonoin Temple is no exception, and is loved and stroked by many people.

Next is Myoken-san.
Myoken-san is a combination of the Buddhist deity Myoken Bosatsu and the Shinto deity Amenominakanushi no Kami. Myoken-san is a relic of the combination of Shintoism and Buddhism that was common before the Meiji period (1868-1912) and is still popularly known as Myoken-san today.

Myoken means excellent eyesight, and Myoken Bosatsu is said to be a person who can see right and wrong and the truth. The sign Myokenmiya still remains in Somedonoin Temple and visitors can feel the long history of the fusion of Buddhism and Shintoism from it.

Red seals available at Somedonoin Temple

After visiting Somedonoin Temple, which is filled with so many features, you can get a very cute red seal!

Dogs are said to have light births and have long been regarded as a symbol of easy childbirth.
This red seal is truly fitting for a temple that protects easy childbirth. Also, by scanning the QR code in the upper left corner, you can watch a special video!

Check it out after receiving the red seal from Somedonin Temple.
The QR code is blurred in the image shown here.

At Somedonoin, you can also receive a red seal from Kinren-ji Temple, which used to be located in Shijo-Kyogoku and is now located in Kita-ku, Kyoto City.

Connection with The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa

When pregnant guests stay at The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa, we give them a good luck charm from Somedonoin Temple as a sign of hope for the birth of a healthy child and a reminder that they are welcome to come back and stay with their child after they are born. We also offer other services such as decaffeinated coffee and tea to help our pregnant guests feel comfortable, so please come and stay with us with peace of mind!

And while you are staying at The Gate Hotel Kyoto Takasegawa, why don’t you visit Somedonoin Temple and put your hands in the hands of the gentle Jizo? We are sure you will have a peaceful and tranquil time.

*Please contact the temple directly for the latest information on opening hours, holidays, etc.

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