Category: Recommendation

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Kennin-ji Temple（建仁寺）

Kennin-ji Temple is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and the head temple of the Kennin-ji schhol of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.
It was founded in 1202 (Kennin 2) by Eisai, who studied Zen in Song Dynasty China.
The temple is famous for its painting of the Wind God and Thunder God (National Treasure) by Tawaraya Sōtatsu.
Free Zen meditation experiences are also available.
Gion Hanamikoji Street, the approach to Kenninji Temple, is quite crowded both day and night, but early morning is definitely the best time to visit.

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Shisendo Temple（詩仙堂）

Shisendo Temple, located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, is the place where Ishikawa Jozan, a literary figure of the Edo period and former retainer of Tokugawa Ieyasu, lived in seclusion. It is a Soto Zen temple where the sound of a shishi-odoshi (deer scarer) quietly resonates, and is famous for its space adorned with portraits of Chinese poets.
I have also used a photo of the entrance to Shisendo Temple on the cover of this blog.

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Honen-in Temple（法然院）

Honen-in Temple is a Jodo sect mountain temple located along the Philosopher’s Path in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City.　It is a reconstruction of the hermitage where Honen Shonin and his disciples once performed the Six-Time Praise.　The temple gate of Honen-in has a thatched roof and is surrounded by tranquil, lush greenery, creating a very picturesque atmosphere.

 

 

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Seimei Shrine（晴明神社）

Seimei Shrine is a shrine located in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, dedicated to Abeno Seimei, a renowned Onmyoji (diviner).
It is said to be a power spot for warding off evil and misfortune.
Abeno Seimei was a figure who was well-versed in astronomy, calendars, and divination, and enjoyed the deep trust of the imperial court. It is said that he interpreted good and bad fortune from the movements of stars and clouds, and his great achievements have been frequently depicted in movies, dramas, and novels.
Throughout the shrine grounds, the five-pointed star “Seimei Kikyo,” the shrine’s crest and a symbol of protection against evil, can be seen in various places.

On June 11th, the day I visited, the bellflowers were in full bloom.

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Shinsen-en Garden（神泉苑）

Shinsen-en Garden was built over 1,230 years ago, in 794 AD, when Emperor Kanmu constructed Heian-kyo (Kyoto). This area originally had many ponds and marshes, and was created as a garden for the emperor’s leisure activities, in line with the urban planning of Heian-kyo. In 812 AD, Emperor Saga visited the garden, and the first imperial cherry blossom viewing banquet in Japan took place there.
This representative garden of Heian-kyo can still be visited in the heart of the capital.

 

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