While Emperor Konoe succeeded the throne, Bifuku mon in already had another older adopted son, Prince Shigehito (retired Emperor Sutoku's oldest son), thus there was no possibility for Emperor Nijo to succeed to the throne; therefore, in October 1151 he left for Ninna-ji Temple to become a priest where his uncle, Kakusho Hosshinno (the monk Prince Kakusho) was (the Emperor was nine years old).
近衛天皇が即位しており、更に同じく美福門院の養子として先に入っていた重仁親王（崇徳上皇の長男）がいたために皇位継承の望みは薄く、仁平元年（1151年）10月、僧侶となるために伯父である覚性法親王のいる仁和寺に入った（9歳）。