Discover a Quiet and Peaceful side of Kyoto
If you exit Kiyomizu-dera Temple through its East Gate, you will find Seikan-ji Temple right next door.
Renowned as “Uta no Nakayama Seikan-ji” (Seikan-ji of the Poetic Nakayama), the temple now attracts many tourists from overseas.
The temple grounds feature a spot offering a panoramic, fan-shaped view overlooking the city of Kyoto. A stone at this vantage point is named *Kaname-ishi* (Pivot Stone)—a name derived from the view, likening the stone to the pivot point of a folding fan.
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Kiyomizu-dera in the early morning, before most tourists have arrived.
Kiyomizu-dera, located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, is one of the most popular temples and is always crowded with tourists.
However, visiting early in the morning is highly recommended, as both the approach and the temple grounds are quiet and peaceful.
Location
A distinctive feature of the Tofuku-ji Hojo (Abbot’s Quarters) is that it is surrounded by gardens on all four sides; these are *karesansui* (dry landscape) gardens created by Mirei Shigemori.
The “Big Dipper” Garden
Location
Tentoku-in is one of the sub-temples of Tofuku-ji; although it is currently open for special viewing, I was unable to visit last week due to a typhoon.
I returned this week and had a wonderful time admiring the bellflower blossoms through the *kato-mado* (bell-shaped window) while enjoying some matcha.
Location
A sub-temple of Daitoku-ji, the head temple of the Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect.
It features a *hojo* (abbot’s quarters) garden—restored by landscape architect Kinsaku Nakane, who was known as the “Kobori Enshu of the Showa era”—which boasts magnificent stone arrangements in the Momoyama style, as well as the “Kankyo-tei” tea house.
Daitoku-ji, located within Kyoto City, is a spot I highly recommend; it is quiet and uncrowded, allowing you to experience the atmosphere of the “good old Japan” and the traditional charm of Kyoto.
Location