Kongobu-ji Temple

The Temple of the Diamond Mountain Peak (Kongobu-ji) is the ecclesiastic head temple of Koyasan Shingon Buddhism, located on Mount Koya (Koya-san), Wakayama Prefecture, Japan.

The temple was first constructed as Seigan-ji Temple in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi on the death of his mother, rebuilt in 1861, and given its present name in 1869. It contains many sliding screen doors painted by Kano Tanyu (1602-1674) and members of the Kyoto Kano school.

The temple's modern Rock garden (Banryutei) is Japan's largest (2340 square meters), with 140 granite stones arranged to suggest a pair of dragons emerging from clouds to protect the temple.

Entering Kongobu-ji temple.
Crossing the bridge symbolizes traveling and transition from one state to another, or from one ‘world’ to another.

The hand washing stall is just past the bridge on the left.

Front gate.

Bell tower.

Exterior of the main hall.
The temple was first constructed as Seigan-ji Temple in 1593 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi on the death of his mother, rebuilt in 1861, and given its present name in 1869.

Kongobu-ji temple map.

Dry landscape garden (Karesansui saniwa).

Rock garden (Banryutei).
The temple's modern Rock garden (Banryutei) is Japan's largest (2340 square meters), with 140 granite stones arranged to suggest a pair of dragons emerging from clouds to protect the temple.