Shinkō-ji Temple was founded in 1259 as a temple of Shin Buddhism (Jōdo Shinshū), a tradition established by Shinran (1173–1263).

Shin Buddhism teaches that liberation is not achieved through one’s own effort or religious discipline, but is received through deep trust in the compassionate vow of Amida Buddha.

Rather than striving for perfection, practitioners are invited to awaken to a life already embraced by boundless compassion.

From its beginning, Shinkō-ji has served as a place where people could encounter this teaching in the midst of everyday life.

In 1571, the temple was reduced to ashes during the fierce campaigns of Oda Nobunaga, the great unifier of Japan. However, the spirit of the temple lived on, leading to its eventual reconstruction.

What was rebuilt was not only a building, but a place for listening—again and again.

The Temple that Saved a Lord: During the decisive Battle of Sekigahara (1600), the temple provided a secret sanctuary for Ii Naomasa, one of the most powerful lords under Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
You can still feel the serene atmosphere that once provided safety to the Lord during the nation's most turbulent times.

The temple’s role was never power, but shelter—quietly offered when it mattered most.