Ninna-ji
Fig. 1 — Visual Archive: Ninna-ji
Ninna-ji (仁和寺, Ninna-ji) is the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. Located in western Kyoto, Japan, it was first founded in AD 888 by Emperor Uda, and was later reconstructed in the 17th century. It is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ninna-ji was a monzeki temple with deep ties to the Imperial family and was called the "Omuro Gosho" (Omuro Imperial Palace) until the Meiji Restoration. It is also a famous sakura viewing location in spring, attracting many visitors. The temple is also the head temple of the Omuro-ryu school of ikebana (flower arrangement), which was founded by Emperor Uda. The Omuro Cherry Blossoms and the Ninna-ji Imperial Palace Gardens are nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and the site of the Ninna-ji Imperial Palace is a National Historic Site.