[Kyoto ]7 recommended temples and shrines in the Arashiyama/Saga area with plenty to see and do.
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2021-08-20 Management office
The scenic Arashiyama-Saga area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyoto, with numerous scenic and historic sites. It was a favorite vacation spot for aristocrats in the Heian period (794-1185) and often appears in the Hyakunin Isshu, a collection of 100 poems. The area is popular even among foreign tourists because of the variety of scenery that can be enjoyed depending on the season, such as cherry blossoms and autumn foliage. The Arashiyama-Saga area is dotted with temples, shrines, and Buddhist temples in a natural setting that changes with the seasons, and we will introduce some of the most attractive temples and shrines in the area.
Author of this article
Management office
Table of Contents
- 1.2.3.4.5.6.
Tenryuji Temple
Tenryuji Temple is the head temple of the Tenryuji School of the Rinzai Sect of Zen Buddhism and has long been widely known as the first of the five temples of Kyoto. The temple has been rebuilt after eight major fires and has been registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is one of the must-see temples when visiting the Arashiyama area.
Hatto, the largest building of Tenryuji Temple
"Among the best is "the Dharma Hall, "where monks preach on behalf of the Buddha, and "the ceiling is painted with dragons in the clouds and dragons in the sky. The dragon painted in black ink and beaming in all directions is truly a sight to behold.
The Daihojo, the largest building on the temple grounds, was constructed in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and houses a seated statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha that survived a major fire. It is designated as a National Important Cultural Property, so why not pay a visit?
Sogenchi Teien (Sogen Pond Garden), which makes the most of the Arashiyama landscape.
Soseki Muso, the creator of many famous gardens, created the Sogen-ike Garden, which changes its appearance with the changing of the seasons and captivates the hearts of its viewers. Designated as Japan's first "Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty ", this garden differs from Kyoto's famous karesansui (dry landscape garden) in that it uses stones and sand to create an abstract representation of flowing water. The garden is reflected in the splendid Arashiyama mountain to the left in the rear and Kameyama mountain to the right.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Tenryuji Temple, the head temple of Tenryuji School of Rinzai Zen Buddhism
Address: 68 Sagano-baba-cho, Tenryuji, Saga, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8385, Japan
Phone number: 075-881-1235
Hours of operation: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
I give the calculation：(Garden)College student or above 500yen/ Elementary and junior high school student 300yen
(Dharma Hall) "雲竜図 "特別公開 一人500円
*Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays [with daily open periods in spring, summer, and fall] (9:00-16:30)
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Get off at Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway Arashiyama Line. 100 cars can be accommodated in the parking lot.
URL: http://www.tenryuji.com/Nomiya Shrine
When you arrive at Nomiya Shrine, the first thing you will see is the Kuroki no Torii (black wood torii) in front of the shrine. The torii gate with its bark still attached is rare and is said to be the oldest torii gate in Japan. Nomiya Shrine is known as the place where the Saio (Princess Saio), who served Ise Jingu in place of the Emperor during the Heian period (794-1185), purified herself before going to Ise. Nomiya Shrine also appears in "The Tale of Genji ". When you visit Nomiya Shrine, you can think back to the world of The Tale of Genji.
Very popular among women as a power spot for love fulfillment.
The main shrine enshrines the deity Amaterasu, and to the left is the sacred stone (O-Kame-ishi), which is believed to grant wishes within a year if one touches it while making a wish, making it a popular tourist attraction. The shrine is also home to Nomiya Daikokuten, a god of good marriages, and Shirafuku Inari Daimyojin, a god of childbirth and business prosperity, making it a popular power spot for women wishing for romantic fulfillment.
Stretching out from Nomiya Shrine to a path through a cool bamboo grove
After visiting Nomiya Shrine, why not take a stroll along the bamboo grove path? The bamboo grove stretches about 400 meters from the north gate of Tenryuji Temple to the Okochi Sanso Garden, and is very popular as a photo spot because of its vivid green bamboo. On a clear day, the cool breeze and sunlight flowing through the bamboo grove is very pleasant.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Nomiya Shrine (Nomiya Jinja)
Address: 1 Saganomiya-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8393
Phone number: 075-871-1972
Space & Facilities: 5 min. walk from Arashiyama Sta. on Keifuku Electric Railway Arashiyama Line, no parking lot
URL: http://www.nonomiya.com/Daikakuji Temple
Daikakuji Temple in Sagano is the head temple of the Daikakuji School of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism, and is also called Saga Gosho because it was originally a detached palace of Emperor Saga. The temple grounds are divided into two areas: the hall area and the Osawa Pond area, so it is advisable to check the visit route in advance. Inside the hall, highlights include Shinden, where you can see the sliding door paintings "Peonies "and "Red Plums ", and the corridor of Murasame ", where period dramas and TV dramas have been filmed ". The Godaido, the main hall of Daikakuji Temple, is dedicated to Fudo Myoo and other Godai Myoo, and overlooks Osawa Pond from its east face.
Japan's oldest pond garden, Osawa Pond
After visiting Godaido, take a leisurely stroll around Osawa Pond, which is about 1 km in circumference. This is the oldest man-made forest spring in Japan and is said to have been created by Emperor Saga in the image of China's Dongting Lake, also known as Tatei-ko ( "Tatei-ko "). It is said to be the birthplace of ikebana, as Emperor Saga picked up a chrysanthemum flower and put it in a vase on Kikugashima Island, located at the end of the pond.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Daikakuji Temple, the former Saga Imperial Palace's Daihonzan (Great Head Temple)
Address: 4 Saga-Osawa-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 616-8411
Phone number: 075-871-0071
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Budget: Odo area: Adults 500 yen / Elementary, junior high and high school students 300 yen Oosawaike area: Adults 300 yen / Elementary, junior high and high school students 100 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: 15 minutes from Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sanin Line
URL: https://www.daikakuji.or.jp/Jojakkoji Temple
Joujakkoji Temple is located halfway up Mt. Ogura, which was mentioned in a waka poem in "Ogura Hyakunin Isshu "for the beauty of its autumn foliage. The temple is crowded with many tourists during the autumn foliage season, but the green maples during the fresh green season are also very beautiful, so if you want to avoid the crowds and take your time, why not visit during the fresh green season?
Dabotou (pagoda) blends beautifully with the view of Mt.
The oldest building on the temple grounds is the thatched Niomon Gate, and at the back of the temple grounds is the symbol of the temple, the Dabotou (pagoda), which is believed to have housed the Dabotou Buddha. The pagoda is perched on a small hill from which a panoramic view of Kyoto city can be seen. The pagoda, with its hiwadabuki roof, is a magnificent sight from any angle, blending beautifully with the natural beauty of Mt.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Jojakkoji Temple
Address: 3 Saga Ogurayama Ogura-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City
Phone number: 075-861-0435
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Budget: 500 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: 15 minutes from Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sanin Line
URL: https://www.jojakko-ji.or.jp/
Matsuo Taisha Shrine
Matsuo-taisha Shrine is a short walk from Matsuo-taisha Station on the Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Line, and stands out for its large, brightly colored vermilion torii gate. It is an old shrine that is said to have been worshipped by the Hata clan, a people who came to Japan as clan deities. The main hall is a rare architectural style called Matsuo-zukuri, and is designated as a national important cultural property. In the shrine's statue hall, visitors can see three statues of deities, designated as important cultural properties, which are said to be the oldest following Yakushiji Temple in Nara and Toji Temple in Kyoto. We also recommend "Shofu-en San-tei "where you can feel the retro atmosphere of the Showa period.
Grand shrine loved by sake brewers
On the grounds of Matsuo Taisha, there is a famous water for sake making "Kame-no-i "and a museum of sake, indicating the strong faith of sake brewers. There is also a rather interesting "barrel fortune-telling "here. If you are interested, why don't you try "and "?
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Matsuo Taisha Shrine
Address: 3 Arashiyama-miyamacho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 616-0024
Phone number: 075-871-5016
Hours: Weekdays and Saturdays 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sundays and holidays 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Budget: Adults 500 yen Students 400 yen Children 300 yen
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Get off at Hankyu Matsuo Taisha Station
URL: http://www.matsunoo.or.jp/
Kegonji Temple
Kegon-ji Temple, founded in 1723, is a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism located at the foot of nature-rich Mt. Also known as Suzumushi-dera, the temple is popular as an unusual temple where visitors can hear the sound of bell bugs all year round. The sound of some 5,000 bell insects echoes through the temple hall, and one cannot help but listen to the sound of the insects.
A popular temple where you can listen to sermons along with the sound of bell bugs
Many visitors come here because the priest, who wishes to make temples more accessible, explains the teachings of Zen Buddhism in an interesting and easy-to-understand manner. Visitors can relax and listen to his teachings while enjoying tea and sweets. Also, next to the temple gate stands the Kofuku Jizo Bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Happiness) wearing straw sandals, who is said to grant one wish. Wouldn't you like to make a wish to the wonderful Jizo who comes to you on foot to grant your wish?
"Facility Information "
Name: Kegonji Temple, Mt.
Address: 〒615-8294 31, Matsumurajiya-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number: 075-381-3830
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Budget: Adults 500 yen / Children 300 yen (4 years old to junior high school students) *includes tea cakes
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: 15-minute walk from Hankyu Matsuo Taisha Station. Parking lot can accommodate 60 cars.
URL: https://www.suzutera.or.jp/
Saihoji Temple
Also known as Kokedera, Saiho-ji Temple is a must-see for moss lovers, with its grounds covered with approximately 120 varieties of moss. Please note that visits to the temple are by appointment only and can only be made by return postcard. After visiting the main shrine and sutra chanting, visitors can tour the garden.
Two-tiered garden with karesansui (dry landscape garden) and moss garden
The garden here is a two-tiered structure, with the upper section being a karesansui (dry landscape garden) with masonry by Soseki Muso and the lower section being a moss garden with a circular path around a golden pond (Ogonchi), offering different views. This temple is recommended for those who want to enjoy a unique luxury experience.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Saihoji Temple
Advance application by return postcard is required to visit the shrine.
Address: 56, Matsuo Kamigayacho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8286, Japan
Phone number: 075-391-3631
Hours of operation: usually only in the morning
Budget: 3,000 yen or more per person *Please note that only junior high school students and older are allowed to visit the temple, and that children under elementary school age, including infants, are not allowed to accompany visitors. "There is a schedule for children to visit the temple at ". Please contact the temple for more information.
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space & Facilities: 15 min. on Kyoto Bus (route 63 or 73) from Arashiyama direction "Get off at Noriji/Suzumushiji ", 3 min. walk 10 min. by cab (about 1,200 yen) No parking on the premises
URL: http://saihoji-kokedera.com/top.html
summary
We have introduced temples, shrines, and Buddhist temples in the Arashiyama-Saga area that are particularly worth seeing. We hope you enjoy your trip even more if you take a look at the history of these temples and shrines.
*The cancellation and postponement of events, etc., and the status of facilities due to the effects of the new coronavirus are updated on a continual basis. Please be sure to contact each facility for details and the latest information.
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