Sekizan-Zenin is a temple in the Higashiyama disctrict of Kyoto dedicated to the Sekizan Daimyôjin. The temple was founded in the 9th century and is one of the temples on the Kyoto pilgrimmage of Shichifukujin (七福神), The Seven Lucky Gods, in Kyoto.

For the casual: 7. For the educated: 4.

Sekizan-Zenin is a fun temple to visit in Kyoto if you’re looking for a change of pace. There are notable statues and features of the temple that are uncommon anywhere else. There are lucky monkey statues on the roofs, there is a prayer bead gate to walk through for luck, and there are dozens of statues of monks, priests, and holy figures. Rather than a temple with one main hall, Sekizan-Zenin is a complex of small halls and shrines.

Just a photo note. I was going through my photos to write this post and for some reason I never took a photo of the buildings, just statues and other small things. Sorry about that. If you can take my word on it, this is a lovely little temple with beautiful buildings. Sorry!