Houkyou-in Temple, Kyoto

There are many sightseeing spots in Arashiyama and Sagano area in Kyoto, including Tenryu Temple and Togetsu Bridge. When it comes to cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, many tourists visit and Togetsubashi is full of tourists and it is very crowded.
Houkyou-in Temple was built during the Heian period as Emperor Shirakawa’s chokugan-ji (temple built at the order of the emperor). In the precincts, you can see the rare sight lined with the tombs of Kusunoki Masatsura and Ashikaga Yoshiakira, who were once enemies. In addition, it is known as a spot of autumn leaves, with the wonderfully colored leaves of autumnal tints and maple in the garden. Going through the gate of Houkyou-in Temple, you will feel overwhelmed by the gardens that spread in front of you and feel like you have stopped for a moment. The brightly colored autumn leaves will make you feel that you are in Kyoto!
The Houkyou-in Temple is famous for its foliage, but it is also recommended that it be bright green in the early summer. In the beautiful green, a pleasant wind flows and you can bread in delicious air.
The scenery seen from the main hall of the Houkyou-in Temple is also wonderful. If you look from the top of the tatami, you can enjoy a different atmosphere. When you visit Houkyou-in Temple, you should enter the main hall as well as the precincts and gardens.
Houkyou-in Temple is not very well known and is not crowded with tourists, but the autumn leaves are exceptional. If you are wondering where to look for autumn leaves in Kyoto, please visit the Houkyou-in Temple. You will surely be satisfied.

The out-of-the-way spot in Kyoto

Houkyou-in is a temple of the Rinzai sect in Sagano. It is known as a cemetery of Masatsura KUSUNOKI who was the loyal subject of the Southern Dynasty, and Yoshiakira ASHIKAGA (the second Shogun of the Ashikaga government) of the Northern Dynasty in the Period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (about 650 years before). It is in the corner in quiet Sagano, and there is it in the inconspicuous place so as not to notice it, even if you see the entrance. Although there are comparatively few tourists, the person who visited once is liking to come to go again. It’s really out-of-the-way spot in Kyoto among the locals who really know.

The area wrapped in gold and red colored leaves is unmissable

It is a beautiful temple that has the tasteful garden with the bamboo forest, moss, and a shiny seasonal flower. Brilliant autumnal leaves are seen from late autumn to early winter, and the corridor of the maple trees of the precincts of the temple changes to autumnal tints beautifully. If you pass through the gate from the entrance, there is the way of the straight stone pavement and the tunnel of autumnal leaves continues on the both sides. The state that all over the area is wrapped in gold and red colored leaves is unmissable.

Good to be absorbed in meditation

The garden can be seen also from the inside of the room. It is also good to be absorbed in meditation, taking down the waist to a tatami or a veranda in silence, and looking at a scene turned red.

A treasure bamboo basket

Although Houkyou-in Temple has the circuit style garden, the bamboo grows gregariously in one corner. The meaning of a Chinese character called “Kyou” of “Houkyou-in” is a thing with “the bamboo basket with small squares.” It is just a brilliant garden which presents the aspect of a treasure bamboo basket.

See the state of mind of “Zen”

If you walk along the stone pavement in Hokyo-in Temple, there is a flow of the water everywhere expressed with stone or sand. It is the technique of the Japanese garden which expresses the flow of water in what is called the “dry landscape garden” without using water. The dry landscape Japanese garden developed in a temple of the Zen Buddhism after the Muromachi era (from 700 to 450 years ago). Why not you also see the state of mind of “Zen”, looking at the garden in Houkyou-in Temple?

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