WELCOME TO KINRYUJI TEMPLE　　

　As you enter from the temple gate, you will see the main building in front of you and the temple office on your right. The main building has its own distinctive style (seen to best effect from the side). They were built during the Edo Period in the late 18th or early 19th Centuries. These buildings have been recently renovated and are connected to the newly-built Nisseki Hall. Nisseki means "Time is limited". This hall is named after the temple school, which existed here during the Edo Period and was the first educational institution in Tochigi Prefecture. In the annex building, named "Kinryuji Kaikan", there are Japanese and Western-style rooms on the first floor and the Social Hall on the second floor. This building is surrounded by a traditional Japanese garden.
　Our temple, formerly named Shonenji, belongs to the Pure Land School of Buddhism, and was founded by Ryokai Shonin in 1421 at Shukugawara, now Numawada, in Tochigi. It was later transferred to the present site in 1588 when Lord Hiroteru Minagawa established Tochigi town, and later changed its name to Sankyuzan Tenkoin Kinryuji. This was because the present site is near the river dam where carp are frequently found. According to Chinese legend, this fish was believed to swim against the stream and as it reached the third stage of the dam it was transformed into a dragon, the celestial guardian, and ascended up to heaven. Therefore, it means that the temple is situated near the abode of dragon (Kinryu), which was transformed from a carp when it reached the third stage (Sankyu), shedding its light in heaven (Tenko). Since its establishment the temple has been the center of religion, culture and welfare for the citizens. In the Nisseki Hall, the collections of temple and/or private treasure are on display to the public during office hours.
　In the precincts of the temple there are the Donryu Hall (The statue of Donryu Shonin is enshrined), the Akiba Hall (The Deity of fire prevention), the Bell Tower, (It has been keeping the time with its huge bell for the benefit of the citizens since1662), the Bronze Stature of Sho-Kannon, an ancient Gingko Tree standing proudly in front of the main building, and in the adjacent cemetery is the grave of renowned Novelist Yuzo Yamamoto, recipient of the Medal for Culture.
　The minister in charge of the temple now is Kodo Matsunami, graduate of Harvard in the U.S.A., and professor at Ueno Gakuen University in Tokyo. He has written more than 50 books in Japanese, Chinese, English and Portuguese, and is well known for his public lectures, through nation-wide TV and newspapers. He is available for consultation, by appointment, on all religious and/or secular matters. Recently he established Kinryuji Searchlight Center to promote global fellowship.
　For further information, please call 0282-22-0802, Fax 0282-24-5061 or Email kinryuji@mb.infoweb.ne.jp Address: Yorozucho 22-4, Tochigi City, Japan 328-0015



　E-mail Address：kinryuji@mb.infoweb.ne.jp