Shoren-in（青蓮院）
A historic Tendai temple in Kyoto with two famous gardens and imperial heritage A Kyoto temple of imperial heritage and two historic gardens Shōren-in stands among the five Monzeki temples in Kyoto. These temples traditionally appoint head priests from the imperial family. It belongs to the Tendai sect, one of Japan’s oldest schools of Buddhism. […]
Sento Gosho (Sento Imperial Palace)（仙洞御所）
A Refined Imperial Garden Rooted in Poetry and Power Sentō Gosho is a historic strolling garden in Kyoto, originally created in 1630 as the retirement grounds of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. Though the palace buildings were lost to fire and never rebuilt, the garden remains a masterpiece of early Edo-period landscape design. The garden was created under […]
Shugaku-in Rikyu（修学院離宮）
Kyoto’s Imperial Garden Retreat with Spectacular Borrowed Scenery Shūgaku-in Rikyū is a unique imperial garden in Kyoto, featuring three separate gardens rather than a single cohesive layout. These gardens are connected by scenic gravel paths that wind through rice fields and farmland, creating a serene contrast to Kyoto’s more formal palace grounds. In the mid-17th […]
Entsu-ji（圓通寺）
A Zen Temple Framed by Nature’s Beauty Entsū-ji is a serene Zen Buddhist temple in northern Kyoto, known for its famous borrowed scenery (shakkei) featuring Mount Hiei. Located away from the busy city center, Entsū-ji offers a peaceful escape for those who seek quiet reflection and stunning views. This hidden gem is one of Kyoto’s […]
Shomyo-ji（称名寺）
A Pure Land Garden Temple in Yokohama Shōmyō-ji（称名寺） is a peaceful Buddhist temple located in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Founded during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), it originally served as the family temple of the powerful Hōjō clan, who ruled Japan as regents during this era. The temple’s full name is Kanazawayama Shōmyō-ji, and it […]
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 […]
Chion-in（知恩院）
Spiritual Center of the Pure Land Sect Chion-in（知恩院） stands proudly in Kyoto as the head temple of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land Sect of Buddhism). Founded in 1234 by Genchi, a devoted disciple of Hōnen (1133–1212), this temple is deeply rooted in Japanese spiritual history. It continues to attract pilgrims, tourists, and scholars from around the […]
Kozan-ji (Iko-an)（高山寺, 遺香庵）
A Historic Temple in Kyoto’s Takao Mountains Kōzan-ji (高山寺) is one of the oldest temples in the Kyoto area. Nestled in the quiet foothills of Mount Takao, northwest of the city, it belongs to the Shingon school of esoteric Buddhism. Tradition says it was founded in 744 by order of Emperor Kōnin, though the existence […]
Mibu-dera（壬生寺）
Resilience and Renewal in Kyoto Mibu-dera is one of Kyoto’s oldest temples, with a history dating back to the year 991. It was founded by the monk Kaiken, during the peaceful Heian period. Over time, however, the temple has faced many hardships. Like much of Kyoto, Mibu-dera suffered from wars, fires, and natural disasters. Because […]