Discover a Quiet and Peaceful side of Kyoto
Seiryo-ji—also known as Saga Shakado—stands on the former site of the mountain villa of Minamoto no Toru, who is said to be the model for Hikaru Genji, the protagonist of *The Tale of Genji*.
The temple’s principal image, a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, is designated as a ational Treasure.
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This was the Hataeda Detached Palace, constructed by Emperor Go-Mizunoo and also known as the Hataeda Kogosho.
The garden, which incorporates Mount Hiei—visible from the front of the guest hall—as “borrowed scenery,” offers a unique charm in every season: *satsuki* azaleas in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and snowy landscapes in winter.
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Ajirogi-no-Michi is a charming, stone-paved promenade situated between Byodo-in Temple and the Uji River, offering scenic views that change with the seasons.
Byodo-in Temple itself boasts a thousand-year history and is a World Heritage Site; it houses numerous National Treasures and cultural assets, most notably the Phoenix Hall (Ho-o-do).
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Kennin-ji is renowned as Japan’s oldest Zen temple and is famous for the National Treasure *Wind God and Thunder God* folding screens by Tawaraya Sōtatsu.
Its founder, Zen Master Eisai, is the figure who brought tea from China to Japan, and a “Tea Monument” stands within the temple grounds.
Although located in the bustling Gion district, the temple is quiet and highly recommended for an early morning visit.
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During the Momoyama period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi constructed an earthen rampart known as the “Odoi” to mark the boundary between the city and its outskirts and to provide flood protection.
A section of this rampart still remains on the western side of the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine grounds, preserved as the “Odoi Maple Garden” (a designated historic site).
The view featuring the vermilion bridge spanning the Kamiya River set against the fresh green maple leaves is truly magnificent.
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