Tanukidani-san Fudo-in
狸谷山不動院

Tanukidani-san Fudo-in Temple was established around the year 781 when Emperor Kanmu enshrined a stone statue of the Buddhist deity Fudo Myoo in a cave there. I was strategically positioned to the northeast of the ancient capital to guard the “demon gate” (Kimon — the direction from which evil spirits were traditionally believed to enter Kyoto. To reach the main hall, you have to climb a steep flight of 250 stone steps. The main hall is built directly into the side of the mountain using an overhanging wooden terrace construction (Kengai-zukuri). It looks like a smaller, more intimate version of the famous stage at Kiyomizu-dera.