Author: tanzan
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Jizoin Temple (Tsubaki dera)
Jizoin Temple, also known as “Tsubaki-dera” (Camellia Temple), is a Jodo sect Buddhist temple located in Kita Ward, Kyoto. Founded in 726 by the monk Gyoki, it boasts a long and distinguished history. The temple’s most notable feature is the “Goshiki Yae Chiri Tsubaki” (Five-colored Double-petaled Scattered Camellia) in its grounds. This camellia is said…
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Rokkakudo Temple
Rokkakudo Temple, located in the heart of Kyoto, is a captivating shrine that embodies Japan’s traditional culture and history. Officially named Chohoji Temple, it is said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku in 587. The temple’s distinctive hexagonal main hall carries deep symbolism. The six corners represent the six human desires (eyes, ears, nose,…
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Seirai-in Temple, Kenninji
Seirai-in Temple is one of the sub-temples (tacchu) of Kennin-ji Temple, a famous Zen temple in Kyoto. Seirai-in Temple was founded during the Oei era (1394-1427) of the Muromachi period by Lanxi Daolong (Rankei Doryu), a renowned Zen monk who came from China. Official Instagram The most distinctive features of Seirai-in Temple are its historical…
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Iwaya Jinja Shrine
Iwaya Jinja Shrine, located in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto, is a historic shrine popular as a power spot. Founded in 343 AD during the reign of Emperor Nintoku, it has a history of over 1,700 years. The main shrine enshrines three deities: Amenooshihomimi no Mikoto, Takuhata Chichihime no Mikoto, and Nigihayahi no Mikoto. Iwaya Jinja Shrine official…
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Kajuji Temple
Located in the Yamashina district of Kyoto, Kajuji Temple is the head temple of the Shingon Yamashina sect. It was founded in 900 AD during the Heian period by Emperor Daigo to honor his mother, Fujiwara no Taneko. The temple’s name originates from the posthumous title of the emperor’s grandfather, Fujiwara no Takafuji. It is…
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Zuishin-in Temple
Zuishin-in is a head temple of the Shingon Sect Zentokuji School located in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City. It is closely associated with Ono no Komachi, a renowned beauty from the Heian period. Official WEB site History of Zuishin-in Temple Zuishin-in was founded in 991 but was destroyed during the Jokyu Disturbance (1221) and rebuilt in…
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First day in Kyoto
What to do on your first day in kyoto If you are new to Kyoto, there are things you should do before looking for hidden gems. So where you should go on your first day in Kyoto? Unhidden gems are very abundant in Kyoto! You will not be able to visit all the places you…
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Jojakkoji Temple Autumn
Jojakkoji Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the scenic Saga district, not far from famous Arashiyama area. It is on a forested Ogurayama mountainside, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The temple is famous for its beautiful autumn colors, making it a popular destination for tourists during the autumn season. Click here to…
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Horinji Temple (Daruma-dera)
Horinji Temple, also known as Daruma-dera, is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Myoshinji school located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. It enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha as its principal deity and was founded in 1727, boasting a history of nearly 300 years. The temple is particularly famous for its collection of approximately 8,000 Daruma dolls donated from…
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Jobonrendaiji Temple
Jobonrendaiji is a temple located in Kita Ward, Kyoto, said to have been founded in 1103 during the late Heian period. Situated at the foot of Funaoka Yama (Mount Funaoka), it was a central temple in Rendaino, one of Kyoto’s three major burial grounds. Kyoto Official Tourism Guide The temple’s name is derived from the…
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Funaoka Yama and Kenkun Jinja Shrine
Mount Funaoka (Funaoka Yama) is a hill located in Kita Ward, Kyoto, with an elevation of about 120 meters. It was named after its shape, which resembles a boat. This mountain has a long history and is said to have been the east-west reference point during the construction of Heian-kyo (ancient Kyoto). During the Heian…
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Injiji Temple (Senbon Enmado)
Injoji Temple, commonly known as Senbon Enmado, is a Koyasan Shingon Buddhist temple located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. Founded in 1017 during the late Heian period, this temple boasts a long and rich history. Kyoto City Official Tourist Information The most distinctive feature of Senbon Enmado is its main deity, King Enma, the ruler of…
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Shakuzoji Temple (Kuginuki Jizo)
Shakuzoji Temple, also known as Kuginuki Jizo (Nail-Pulling Jizo), is a Jodo sect Buddhist temple located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. It was founded in 819 by Kukai, also known as Kobo Daishi. The main deity is a stone statue of Jizo Bodhisattva, said to have been carved by Kukai himself. The temple is widely known as…
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Daiho-in Temple (Myoshinji)
Daiho-in is one of the sub-temples of Myoshinji Temple, founded in 1625. It was established as a family temple by Osahime, the granddaughter of Sanada Nobuyuki, the lord of Matsushiro Domain, following his dying wish. Sanada Nobuyuki was the elder brother of Sanada Yukimura, a famous warrior of the Sengoku period. The main attraction of Daiho-in…
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Byodoin Omotesando Street
Byodoin Omotesando is the road from Uji Station to Byodoin Temple. Uji is historically and still is famous for its tea. Both sides of the street are lined with stores selling tea and tea-based sweets. If you like matcha in particular, you can take your time and enjoy it. Byodoin Omotesando: A Charming Tea-Scented Street…
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Ujikami Jinja Shrine
Ujikami Shrine, located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a venerable shrine registered as one of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” World Heritage sites. Founded in the late Heian period, this shrine with about 1,000 years of history boasts the oldest existing main hall (honden) in Japanese shrine architecture. The main hall of the Ujikami…
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Uji Jinja Shrine
Uji Shrine is a historic shrine located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. It stands across the Uji River from Byodoin Temple. It also forms a pair with Ujikami Shrine, another World Heritage Site, and is revered as the guardian deity of the area. The shrine enshrines Ujinowakiiratsuko, known as the god of learning, and is…
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Koshoji Temple in Uji
History of the temple Koshoji Temple is a Soto Zen Buddhist temple located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. Founded in 1233 by Zen Master Dogen, it is known as the oldest Soto Zen temple in Japan. Initially situated in Fukakusa, Kyoto, it was relocated to its current location in Uji in 1645. The temple complex of…
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Ito Jakuchu
Ito Jakuchu is known as a genius painter of the mid-Edo period. Born in 1716 to a wealthy greengrocer family in Nishiki Market in Kyoto, he took over the family business at 23. But he handed it to his younger brother at 40 to focus on painting. Jakuchu’s masterpiece is “Doshoku Sai-e” (Colorful Realm of…
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Fukuda Art Museum
Fukuda Art Museum, opened in October 2019 in the Saga-Arashiyama area of Kyoto, is a private museum. Despite its location right next to Arabika Kyoto Arashiyama, a popular riverside coffee shop that always attracts lines of tourists, the museum attracts only a limited number of visitors. Founded by Kyoto businessman Yoshitaka Fukuda to contribute to…
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Shinjuan, Daitokuji
A Hidden Treasure Trove Connected to Ikkyu and Murasaki Shikibu Shinjuan, one of the sub-temples (tacchu) of the Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple Daitokuji in northern Kyoto, is a special sanctuary where Japanese history and culture converge. This temple was founded by the famous Zen master Ikkyu Sojun, known for his witty remarks, and was built…
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Plum Blossom Festival at Kitano Tenmangu
The Plum Blossom Festival (Baika-sai) and outdoor tea ceremony (nodate) at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto are significant annual events that honor the memory of Sugawara no Michizane, the shrine’s enshrined deity. Annual events of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Plum Blossom Festival (Baika-sai) The Baika-sai is held annually on February 25th, which marks the death anniversary…
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Jingoji Temple
Jingoji Temple, nestled in the serene mountains of northwestern Kyoto, is a hidden gem that offers visitors a profound glimpse into Japan’s rich Buddhist heritage. This ancient temple, founded in the 8th century, is a testament to the enduring spiritual traditions of Kyoto and provides a tranquil escape from the bustling city center. Jingoji Official…
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Kifune Shrine and Kawadoko river restaurants
Kifune Shrine Nestled in the lush mountains of northern Kyoto, Kifune Shrine is a hidden gem that offers visitors a serene escape from the bustling city center. This ancient shrine, dedicated to the god of water and rain, is not only a spiritual powerhouse but also a gateway to one of Kyoto’s most enchanting summer…
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Saimyoji Temple
Saimyoji Temple, located in the Takao area of Kyoto, is a hidden gem that offers visitors a serene retreat into nature and history. This ancient temple, founded in the early 9th century, is one of the three famous temples in the Takao region, collectively known as “Sanbi”. Temple’s official WEB site Historical Significance Saimyoji Temple…
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Kozanji Temple
Kozanji Temple (officially Kosanji Temple), located in the Togano area of Kyoto, is a Shingon Buddhist temple. It was originally founded in 774 during the late Heian period. It was originally a sub-temple of Jingoji Temple. In 1206, Emperor Go-Toba granted the temple grounds to the monk Myoe, who revived it under the name Kosanji.…
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Evening of moon viewing at Daikakuji Temple
The Kangetsu-no-yube (Evening of Moon Viewing) at Daikakuji Temple in Kyoto is a prestigious annual event that offers visitors a chance to experience the elegance of ancient Japanese moon-viewing traditions. Held for three days around the time of the harvest moon in September, this event takes place at Osawa Pond, one of Japan’s three most…
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Tea ceremonies in Kodaiji Temple
Would you like to enjoy tea ceremonies in the prestigious Kodaiji Temple? It can be an outstanding experience in Kyoto. If you are looking for a guided tour of Kodaiji, this one is for you.Kyoto: Explore Kodaiji Temple Surrounded by Quaint Gardens There is no tour to have a tea ceremony in the Kodaiji Temple.…
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Senkoji Temple
Senkoji Temple is a small temple located in Arashiyama, Kyoto. It is located across the Katsura River from the popular Arashiyama area. A 20-minute walk along the river across the Togetsukyo Bridge brings you to Senkoji Temple. Senkoji Temple was built by Suminokura Ryoi, a wealthy merchant of the Edo period. He relocated Senkoji Temple,…
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Gansenji Joruriji Hiking
Gansenji Joruriji Hiking is one of the best light hikes that can be done as a day trip from Kyoto. Both Gansenji Temple and Joruriji Temple are located in the mountains of Kizugawa City, near Nara, and offer important cultural assets and national treasures, including buildings and Buddhist statues dating from the Heian and Kamakura…
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Okochi Sanso Garden
As you head west through the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, you will come to the Ogura mountain. There you will find the entrance to Okochi Sanso Garden. Kyoto City Official Travel Guide Okochi Sanso Garden is a mountain villa garden located in Saga. It was painstakingly created over a 30-year period by renowned Showa-era actor…
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Tenju-an Temple
Tenju-an Temple, a sub-temple of Nanzenji Temple, is a historic Zen temple in the Sakyo Ward of Kyoto City. It belongs to the Rinzai sect’s Nanzen-ji branch. The temple was founded in 1339 during the early Northern and Southern Courts (Nanbokucho) period. It was established by Kokan Shiren, the 15th abbot of Nanzenji, with the…
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Joruriji Temple
Joruriji Temple, also known as Joruri Temple, is a historic and culturally significant temple located in the Kizugawa City of Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It is not in the Kyoto City, and it takes about 2 hours by public transport. Joruriji Temple is famous for its beautiful gardens, ancient structures, and the rich cultural heritage it…
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Gansenji Temple
Gansenji Temple: A Tranquil Sanctuary Steeped in History and Culture Nestled in the picturesque hills of Kizugawa City, Kyoto Prefecture, Gansenji Temple is a serene sanctuary surrounded by beautiful nature. Renowned for its exquisite architecture, stunning gardens, and valuable cultural treasures, this temple offers visitors a profound and moving experience. This article delves into the…
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Kyoto to Shirakawago day trip
We offer private Shirakawago day trip You can start from Kyoto, Osaka or other major cities along the Tokaido Shinkansen line. It is also possible to take this tour if you are traveling from Kyoto (Osaka) to Tokyo or vice versa. Contact us from here for availability and price Are you staying in Kyoto and…
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Unryuin, Sennyuji
Unryuin is a significant sub-temple of Sennyuji Temple, located in the eastern hills of Kyoto. Founded in 1372 by Emperor Go-Kogon, it has a rich history deeply intertwined with the imperial family. As a special head temple of the Shingon Sennyuji sect, Unryuin holds a prestigious status within Japanese Buddhism. Temple’s official WEB site Historical…
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Sennyuji Temple
Nestled in the serene Higashiyama district of Kyoto, Sennyuji Temple, known as “Mitera,” offers a tranquil retreat. Founded in the 9th century, this temple is a significant site for cultural heritage and historical art. This temple is the head temple of Sennyuji Sect of Shingon School of buddhism. Official WEB site Historical Significance Sennyuji has…