Kongozan Banna-ji

The temple's origins date to the mid-12th century when Minamoto no Yoritomo, the ancestor of the Ashikaga clan, established his residence. In 1196, Ashikaga Yoshikane built a private Buddhist hall, and in 1234, Ashikaga Yoshitsune expanded the temple complex, establishing it as the clan's ancestral temple. During the Northern and Southern Courts period, it came under the jurisdiction of Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. In the Meiji era, the main hall was designated an Important Cultural Property. In 2013, the main hall was elevated to the status of National Treasure. Today, it serves as the head temple of the Dainichi sect of Shingon Buddhism.