The Enrian Temple stands out for the beauty of its autumn colors. The place is known only to a few and is definitely a hidden gem in Kyoto.
The Enrian Temple is located on the road from Seiryoji Temple to Nison-in Temple in Sagano. It is not far from Tenryuji Temple, the head temple of the Rinzai sect in Arashiyama area.
Enrian temple does not face the road at all and is a secluded place in the woods. It is not open to the public except during the autumn colors season, and few people visit. If there is no sign indicating that the temple is open to the public, you will pass by it without noticing it at all.
The place where the Enrian Temple is was the site of the Ogura Villa of Fujiwara no Teika, a court noble and poet from the late Heian to early Kamakura periods. Teika composed the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poems), a collection of 100 waka poems by 100 poets. However, his villa felled into disrepair.
Later, the court noble Reizei family, the descendants of Teika, repaired the temple in the mid-Edo period. Emperor Reigen named the villa “Enrian”, meaning a disenchanted hermitage.
It declined again, but was restored in the Meiji period. In addition to the shoin, there is a tea ceremony room, Shiguretei, and a mound of Teika.
Kyoto City Official Travel Guide
Nearby spots from Enrian Temple
Seiryoji Temple‘s garden is also very beautiful. The standing statue of Shakyamuni Buddha (you can see it only during special openings) in the main hall of Seiryoji is a national treasure and came from India.
Houkyouin Temple is also popular during the autumn foliage season. Why not visit Seiryoji Temple, then Houkyoin Temple, then Enrian Temple, and so on?
Nison-in Temple is only about five-minute walk from the Enrian Temple. In this area of Sagano, there are many beautiful temples such as Jojakkoji Temple, Gioji Temple and Takiguchidera Temple.
Jojakkoji Temple is where Fujiwara no Teika actually composed the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu. From Enrian Temple, it is a 10-minute walk away. Jojakkoji temple is famous for its beautiful autumn leaves and fresh green leaves.
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[…] If you have the opportunity in the fall, I highly recommend visiting nearby Enrian Temple. […]
[…] the late Heian to early Kamakura periods. His villa used to be in the area around the temple (see Enrian Temple). And he compiled the famous Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, a collection of 100 waka poems by 100 poets, […]