Shinsen-en Temple

When Heiankyo (Kyoto) was founded by Emperor Kanmu in 794, this was built as an attached garden for the palace. The perennially gushing spring gave it its name, Shinsen-en, or Garden of the Holy Spring
The grounds extend approximately 400 meters from north to south and about 200 meters from east to west . In addition to the large pond with its central island, the garden features the Kenrinkaku pavilion, the Fishing Hall, and the Waterfall Hall. It has been visited by many emperors over the centuries, hosted banquets, ceremonial sumo bouts, poetry sessions and more. In 812, Emperor Saga held the first cherry-blossom viewing party in Japan here.
During a drought in 824, the great Buddhist priest Kobo Daishi (Kukai) was requested by the emperor to carry out ritual prayers to the rain god Zennyo Ryuo. Since then, Shinsen-en became a sacred site where many famous priests prayed for rain.
In 863, the first goryo-e, or ceremony to appease vengeful gods and spirits , was held here. This ritual later evolved into the Gion Festival.
Oike-dori (Pond Street) got its name from Hojoju Pond in the garden. Shinsen-en is also connected with the goisagi (the black-crowned night heron), the famous court dancer Shizuka Gozen who danced for rain, and the poet Ono-no-Komachi.
Today, Shinsen-en is registered by the government as a Historic Site, and used as a temple by the Toji Shingon School.
Kyoto City