Zuiho-in (Daitoku-ji)(瑞峯院)
A Zen Garden Rooted in Christian History Zuihō-in, part of the Daitoku-ji temple complex in Kyoto, stands out not only for its striking gardens but also for its unusual origins. It was founded in 1546 by Ōtomo Sōrin, a powerful Christian daimyo, as his family temple. Remarkably, Zuihō-in still preserves its original architecture, having survived […]
Daisen-in (Daitoku-ji)(大徳寺、大仙院)
A Zen Garden Journey Through Life Do you want to experience Zen Buddhist philosophy firsthand and meet a Zen priest who might even make you laugh? Do you want to walk the same paths where key figures of Japanese history once lived and trained? Then Daitoku-ji and its sub-temple Daisen-in in northern Kyoto are the […]
Korin-in (Daitoku-ji)(興臨院)
A Hidden Gem of Zen and Tea Culture at Daitoku-ji Kōrin-in (光林院) is a peaceful sub-temple in the large Daitoku-ji temple complex in Kyoto. It was founded in 1520 by the powerful Hatakeyama clan as their family temple. The main hall, called the Hōjō (方丈), is built in the shoin-zukuri style. This style was popular […]