Month: May 2026

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Toji Temple (Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple)

Toji Temple, located in the south of Kyoto City, is a temple associated with Kobo Daishi and is also a World Cultural Heritage site. North of the National Treasure five-story pagoda is a pond with a circular layout, where lotus flowers are reflected on the water’s surface in early summer, creating a vibrant spectacle.
The 21st of each month is the anniversary of Kobo Daishi’s death, and the temple is bustling with many worshippers on this day.


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▶ Japanese Note

2026年5月21日は雨でしたが、境内の木々がより緑が映えて綺麗でした。

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Daitoku-ji Temple (2)

Daitoku-ji Temple was founded in 1315 and boasts a history of over 700 years as the head temple of the Daitoku-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.
It retains numerous buildings and gardens designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.
Among the sub-temples that are open to the public year-round are Daisen-in, Ryogen-in, and Zuiho-in, each offering gardens for viewing, and some even providing matcha tea ceremonies in their tea rooms.
It’s conveniently located in central Kyoto.
You can experience the peaceful and quiet time of the ancient capital.

▶ Japanese Note

大徳寺は、市内にありながら静かで、ゆっくりと拝観をすることができます。
幾つかの塔頭は常時拝観可能で、加えて季節に応じて特別拝観できるところがあります。
境内を散策するだけでも見所は多く、落ち着きます。
私の好きな光景がここには多くあります。

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Daitoku-ji Temple (1)

Daitoku-ji Temple is a temple located in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, and has 24 sub-temples.
It is a Zen temple that conveys the spirit of wabi-sabi.
Daitoku-ji Temple is deeply knowledgeable about the tea ceremony, and is particularly famous as the place where Sen no Rikyu, a renowned tea master, trained.
Furthermore, many feudal lords of the Sengoku period had close ties with Daitoku-ji Temple.


Dry Landscape Garden in Ryogen-in Temple

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“Mitera” (Imperial Temple) Sennyu-ji Temple

Sennyu-ji Temple has deep ties to the Imperial family and is also known as “Mitera” (Imperial Temple).
The Buddha Hall (Important Cultural Property) was rebuilt by Tokugawa Ietsuna and houses the three statues of Shakyamuni, Amida, and Maitreya, said to be the work of the Unkei school.
The dragon on the ceiling is said to be the work of Kano Tan’yu, and it also houses the largest Nirvana painting in Japan.

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Kyoto Imperial Palace

Located in the heart of Kyoto City, the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Gyoen National Garden are situated on a large plot of land.
Here, visitors can admire the architectural style, screen paintings, furnishings, and gardens that convey the culture of the imperial court to the present day.

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