Discover a Quiet and Peaceful side of Kyoto
Located in Kyoto’s Kita Ward, Hirano Shrine is said to have been relocated from Heijo-kyo to Heian-kyo when the capital was moved there in 794; it is renowned for its cherry blossoms, particularly the night-time cherry blossoms.
The shrine’s main hall features a unique architectural style known as “Hirano-zukuri” and was built during the Kan’ei era of the Edo period.
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Shokoku-ji is the head temple of the Shokoku-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism; founded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, it is a temple of high prestige that counts Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavilion) among its sub-temples.
The temple grounds are spacious and tranquil, and the complex houses the Jotenkaku Museum, where various artworks are exhibited from time to time.
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Jinkō-in is a Shingon Buddhist temple located in Kyoto’s Kita Ward. Its principal image is a wooden statue of Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), said to have been carved by the monk himself when he was 42 years old. Along with Tō-ji and Ninna-ji, it is known in Kyoto as one of the “Three Kōbō” temples; while it is not a typical tourist destination, it possesses a dignified and tranquil atmosphere.
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Located in the Nishigamo area of Kyoto City, this temple belongs to the Nanzen-ji school of the Rinzai sect; its main hall was relocated here from Fushimi Castle in 1652.
Its dry landscape garden features trimmed *satsuki* azaleas arranged in a 7-5-3 pattern and is known as the “Lion Cub Crossing Garden” (*Shishi no Ko Watashi Teien*). It offers a view of Mount Hiei as “borrowed scenery.”
It is a place where one can spend a quiet, peaceful moment.
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The Chinese bellflowers are blooming beautifully here as well.
Every year at this time, a sign appears at the temple gate announcing, “The Chinese bellflowers are in bloom.”
This temple is famous for these flowers, which are associated with *The Tale of Genji*; it is the site where Murasaki Shikibu, the tale’s author, once lived and wrote her masterpiece.
These lovely flowers are in full bloom in the garden known as the “Genji Garden.”
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