Category: Recommendation

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Rai Sanyo’s Sanshi Suimeisho（頼山陽　山紫水明処）

“Sanshi Suimeisho” is a building facing the west bank of the Kamo River, used as Rai Sanyo’s study and tea ceremony room.
Rai Sanyo was a Confucian scholar and historian who was active in the late Edo period, famous for his book “Nihon Gaishi” (Unofficial History of Japan).
Advance reservations are required for visits, but it is a quiet place in the middle of the city where you can feel the beauty of nature in all four seasons, and it is easy to see why Rai Sanyo called it a place of scenic beauty and clear waters.

Location

▶ Japanese Note

「山紫水明」　という言葉は頼山陽がこの書斎で称したのが初めてということです。
実際に書斎では窓を開けて頂くと鴨川からの涼風がとても心地良かったです。

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Ryōsoku-in temple（両足院　建仁寺）

Ryōsoku-in temple is a Rinzai Zen temple of the Kennin-ji school, located adjacent to Gion.
At Ryōsoku-in, you can experience Zen meditation, sutra copying, and tea ceremonies.
Also, from late May to early July, you can admire the beautiful Hangeshō flower in the garden.

Location

▶ Japanese Note

座禅は、経験がなくても親切に座禅の仕方を教えて頂けました。

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Hongan-ji Temple（本願寺）

Hongan-ji Temple, founded by Shinran Shonin, is known for its numerous important cultural properties of high religious and historical value. It boasts many national treasures and important cultural properties of the magnificent Momoyama culture. It is also registered as a World Cultural Heritage site.
It’s close to Kyoto Station, yet it’s a place where you can enjoy a peaceful visit.

Location

▶ Japanese Note

本願寺の御影堂、阿弥陀堂は　自由拝観であり、静かで広大な空間でお参りできます。
一方、写真の唐門は桃山文化の豪華絢爛な建築や彫刻が圧巻のスポットになっています。
何れも、静かな環境で拝観できます。

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Toji Temple (Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple)　（東寺　教王護国寺）

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.


Location

▶ 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)　（大徳寺）

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。