Discover a Quiet and Peaceful side of Kyoto
It is located to the east of the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park and is a shrine dedicated to those who played a pivotal role in the Meiji Restoration.
There is a café within the shrine grounds where you can enjoy coffee brewed using water from one of Kyoto’s three famous springs.
It is renowned as a prime spot for viewing bush clover (hagi), making it a place I would love to visit again in the autumn.
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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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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.
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Here, we can enjoy a stroll through the gardens that extend from Tsutenkyo Bridge.
This area is surrounded by fresh green foliage, and the hydrangeas are beautiful as well.
Although there was still a bit of lingering rain, the conditions were perfect for the fresh greenery and moss gardens.
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The following photos were also taken within the grounds of Tofuku-ji Temple.
Due to the impact of a typhoon, visits to one of the sub-temples (Tentoku-in Temple) had been suspended; since I was unable to view the *kikyo* (balloon flower) garden, I decided to visit again.
Nevertheless, I was able to enjoy the vibrant green scenery within the temple grounds.
※The *andon* (paper lantern) at Tofuku-ji Temple bore the text of the once-famous catchphrase: “Yes, let’s go to Kyoto.”
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