[2025 Kyoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Chishakuin (Updated Jun)

Nestled along Kyoto's Higashiyama Shichijo Street, "Chishakuin Temple" offers a serene escape into another world. As the head temple of the Shingon sect Chizan School, this historic site is renowned for its autumn foliage, but its beauty during the fresh greenery season is unparalleled. The nationally designated scenic garden is filled with vibrant green hues, creating a tranquil space where history and nature intertwine. Experience the soothing atmosphere of this timeless garden adorned with lush green maple leaves. Overview Chishakuin Temple was established on the site of Shounzenji Temple, built during the Momoyama period by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with contributions from Tokugawa Ieyasu. Famous for its "Maple Tree Paintings" by Hasegawa Tohaku and his school (replicas are currently displayed), the temple's highlight is the "Rikyu's Favorite Garden," a pond-centered strolling garden attributed to Sen no Rikyu. During the fresh greenery season, the garden is adorned with green maple leaves and azaleas, offering a serene setting to appreciate the beauty of Japan. Highlights * "Rikyu's Favorite Garden" - A Verdant Masterpiece 🌿💧 Known as one of Kyoto's most beautiful gardens, "Rikyu's Favorite Garden" features a pond surrounded by hills and trees that shine with vibrant green during the fresh greenery season. Sitting on the veranda of the study, you can immerse yourself in the tranquility and beauty of the garden. * The Vivid Contrast of Green Maple Leaves and Azaleas 🌸🌿 In addition to green maple leaves, azaleas bloom in vibrant pink and red throughout the garden, creating a stunning contrast with the greenery. Enjoy the seasonal transitions of flowers. * Harmony Between National Treasure Paintings (Replicas) and the Garden 🎨🌿 The repository displays replicas of Hasegawa Tohaku's national treasure paintings, such as "Maple Tree Paintings" and "Cherry Blossom Paintings." Admire the majestic brushwork while enjoying the fresh greenery of the garden. Notable Features * The Enchanting Beauty of "Upside-Down Green Maple Leaves" Reflected in the Pond 💧🌿 The pond reflects the surrounding green maple leaves and trees like a mirror. On calm days, you can enjoy the symmetrical and magical view of "upside-down green maple leaves." * The Changing Expressions of Green Maple Leaves with Light and Shadow ✨🌿 The color and brilliance of green maple leaves change with sunlight and time of day. Sit back and observe these subtle transitions. * The Vibrant Green Moss in the Garden 🌿💧 The well-maintained garden features moss that shines even brighter. On rainy days, the moss becomes moist, adding a deeper charm to the scenery. Information * Address: 940 Higashikawaracho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 📍 * Access: * From JR Kyoto Station, take City Bus 206, 207, or 208 to "Higashiyama Shichijo" stop, then walk a short distance 🚌 * About a 10-minute walk from Keihan Main Line "Shichijo Station" 🚶♀️ * Parking is limited, so public transportation is recommended. * Hours: 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Last admission at 4:30 PM). Please check the official website for any changes ⏰ * Fees: Free admission to the temple grounds. Scenic garden and repository admission: Adults ¥500, High School Students ¥300, Junior High School Students ¥200 💰 Nearby Tourist Information * Sanjusangendo: A breathtaking hall with 1,001 statues of Kannon. A treasure trove of national and important cultural properties. 🙏 * Kyoto National Museum: A museum showcasing numerous Japanese cultural assets. Seasonal special exhibitions are also held. 🏛️ * Toyokuni Shrine: A shrine dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Don't miss the national treasure Karamon gate. ⛩️ * Tofukuji Temple: Famous for autumn foliage, but the fresh greenery view from Tsuten Bridge is equally stunning. 🍁 Summary The fresh greenery of Chishakuin Temple offers a serene and rejuvenating experience, embodying Kyoto's history and aesthetic sensibilities. Enjoy the vibrant green maple leaves and azaleas in the scenic garden attributed to Sen no Rikyu, and immerse yourself in Japan's artistic culture through the national treasure paintings (replicas). For those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle, this beautiful temple is a must-visit. 🌿✨

My dears, in Kyoto, Chishaku-in Temple is definitely a great place for you to encounter the unique beauty of hydrangeas. Walking into Chijikuin Temple, it feels like entering a world full of Zen. The hydrangeas here seem to have been imbued with the tranquility of the temple and bloom particularly elegantly. Take a stroll in the courtyard, admire the national treasure shoji paintings, and feel the surprise brought by the hydrangeas blooming around you. Pink, blue and purple flowers bloom freely beside the quaint buildings and along quiet paths, adding a touch of softness and vitality to the temple. Chishaku-in Temple is located at 964 Higashigawara-machi, Shichijo-shita, Higashigawara-machi, Higashiyama District, Kyoto City, and is a 10-minute walk from Keihan Railway Shichijo Station. The temple grounds are free to visit, but if you want to visit the treasure house and gardens, the ticket is 500 yen. If you want to find a place in Kyoto where you can experience both history, culture and natural beauty, then come to Chishakuin Temple and spend a peaceful and wonderful time with hydrangeas~#Hydrangea

#springwander If you’re in Kyoto during spring, Chishakuin Temple is a lovely spot to visit! While Kyoto is famous for cherry blossoms, this temple is known for its beautiful plum blossoms that bloom earlier in the season. The contrast of the pink and white flowers against the temple’s historic architecture is simply breathtaking. The temple grounds are peaceful, making it a great place to escape the crowds and enjoy the beauty of nature. Take a leisurely stroll through the gardens, admire the seasonal flowers, and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of this lesser-known Kyoto gem. Why You Should Visit: ✔ Stunning plum blossoms, a refreshing alternative to cherry blossoms ✔ Peaceful and less crowded, perfect for a relaxing temple visit 📍 Address: Chishakuin Temple, Kyoto, Japan #ChishakuinTemple #Kyoto #Japan #PlumBlossoms #SpringInKyoto

🖼️Valuable temple treasures and artworks that unravel the history of Chishaku-in🖼️ "Sohonzan Chishaku-in Treasure House" is a valuable spot where Japanese cultural assets and historical Buddhist art are exhibited. In particular, the "Sliding screen paintings" created by the Momoyama period painter Hasegawa Tohaku and his school are a must-see👘🍵 National treasures and important cultural properties are lined up, allowing you to feel the essence of Japanese beauty. 📍 Access Location: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 🕒 Opening hours ・9:00-16:00 (last entry 15:30) 🔍 Points to note when visiting ・Hasegawa Tohaku's sliding door paintings are impressive! Art lovers should definitely check them out✨ ・It is recommended to visit together with Chishaku-in Garden #0 yen trip February 2025 #Chishaku-in #Chishaku-in Treasure House #Kyoto sightseeing #Buddhist art #Hasegawa Tohaku

Cherry blossoms🌸 in spring, hydrangeas in summer, autumn leaves🍁 in fall, snowscapes in winter It faces Higashioji Street. Because it is not a temple known for tourism, you can spend your time here in peace and quiet. There is also a paid garden visit. In the nearby Onnazaka, there is an Italian restaurant, a pancake🥞 cafe, and a Western restaurant famous for hamburgers (takeout available). There are also places to take a break, such as a matcha cafe and a traditional sweet shop. There are also hotels scattered around, so it is easy to use the hotel cafes and restaurants. Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto Station, Tofuku-ji Temple, and Sennyuji Temple are all about a 15-minute walk away. There is also the Kyoto National Museum and Sanjusangendo Temple. You can also hear the bells ringing on New Year's Eve🎍#Kyoto #Temple

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In 2024, the autumn foliage at Chishaku-in Temple has reached its peak once again. This is a hidden gem for viewing autumn leaves that I almost don't want to share. While Kyoto's autumn tourist season is usually very crowded, Chishaku-in Temple offers a relatively relaxed atmosphere for enjoying the autumn foliage. Additionally, there are many attractions such as the famous garden and the treasure hall, making it a highly recommended spot. Located close to Kyoto Station, there are many other tourist spots nearby. Be sure to visit Chishaku-in Temple during your Kyoto autumn foliage tour. [Access] About a 5-minute walk from Keihan Shichijo Station [Admission Fee] Famous Garden: General 500 yen [Recommended Nearby Spots] 📍Spot Name: Tofuku-ji Temple 📍Spot Name: Sanjusangen-do Temple 📍Spot Name: Kyoto National Museum 📍Spot Name: Toyokuni Shrine

During the autumn sightseeing season, Kyoto is expected to be very crowded everywhere, but we will introduce you to a hidden spot for touring Kyoto's shrines and temples! We recommend Chishaku-in, the head temple of the Shingon sect Chizan school! Chishaku-in is located in Higashiyama Shichijo, about 20 minutes from Kyoto Station. Nearby are famous tourist spots such as Sanjusangendo and Tofukuji Temple, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple is within walking distance. The treasure museum and other facilities were renovated in 2023, but the scenic gardens are truly wonderful, and in the treasure museum, some of the approximately 80,000 pieces stored in Chishaku-in Temple, including the national treasure wall paintings by Hasegawa Tohaku, are displayed according to the season. You can also enjoy the seasonal scenery, such as cherry blossoms, hydrangeas, bellflowers, and autumn leaves in spring. You are sure to have a relaxing time in the recommended scenic gardens. Kyoto is very crowded everywhere during the sightseeing season, but this is a hidden spot where you can visit without worrying about queues. [Recommended nearby spots] ⬜ Sanjusangendo ⬜ Tofukuji Temple ⬜ Shinkumano Shrine ⬜ Sennyuji Temple ⬜ Kyoto National Museum ⬜ Toyokuni Shrine [Access] 10 minute walk from Keihan Shichijo Station 3 minute walk from Higashiyama Shichijo City Bus [Admission Fee] Treasure Museum: 500 yen Scenic Garden: 500 yen #Shrine and Temple Tour#Kyoto #Kyoto Sightseeing#Kyoto Trip #Kyoto Trip#Kyoto Wandering #trip #kyototrip #kyototravel

💫Recommended Points of Chishaku-in History and Culture Chishaku-in is known as the head temple of the Chisan sect of Shingon Buddhism, with about 3,000 branch temples. Originally, it was part of Negoro-ji in Kishu (now Wakayama Prefecture), but it was reestablished in its current location with donations from Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Edo period, following the establishment of Shoun-ji by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to mourn for his beloved son Tsurumatsu. Scenic Garden The scenic garden of Chishaku-in was originally created during the era of Shoun-ji, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and later restored by the seventh head priest of Chishaku-in, Uncho Sojo. This garden is modeled after Mount Lu, a sacred Buddhist site in China, and boasts the greatest beauty in Higashiyama. Lodging and Vegetarian Cuisine Anyone can stay at the lodging facilities of Chishaku-in Kaikan. Guests can participate in the morning services and receive guided tours of the gardens and barrier paintings by monks. Additionally, at the restaurant 'Chishaku-in Saryo Kikyo' within Chishaku-in, you can enjoy traditional vegetarian cuisine. 🕕Visiting Information Chishaku-in is open for visitors from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with an admission fee of 500 yen for adults to view the scenic garden and the treasure hall. Admission is free for children under elementary school age and for those with a disability pass. 🚍Access Chishaku-in is located about a 10-minute bus ride from JR Kyoto Station, or about a 10-minute walk from Keihan Shichijo Station, making access very convenient. 📍Address 〒605-0951 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Higashiyama-ku, Higashioji Shichijo sagaru, Higashikawaramachi 964 🚃Access - About a 10-minute bus ride from JR Kyoto Station, get off at 'Higashiyama Shichijo' - About a 10-minute walk from Keihan Main Line 'Shichijo Station'

#Japan and Korea Spring Good Places When you step into Chishaku-in Temple in Kyoto, you can personally experience an unprecedented peaceful Zen and visual shock. This ancient Zen temple, which has stood for hundreds of years, seems to have integrated the beauty of Japanese architecture and the elegance of the garden, forming a poetic Zen landscape. Walking into the courtyard along the secluded cobblestone path, the first thing that catches your eye is the famous wandering dry landscape stone garden. There was an open space covered with fine sand, dotted with dozens of huge cone-shaped rocks, like an abstract painting full of Zen artistic conception. What I most desire is to sit in the surrounding corridors and appreciate the tranquil and pleasant beauty of the dry landscape.

The so-called Shukubo is to live in the temple, allowing you to experience the tranquility in the holy land. Historically, long-distance monks would rest or stay in places known as Shukubo. Seeing more and more people needing accommodation after long-distance travel, Shukubo began to open its doors to ordinary worshippers and tourists. Now, Japanese Shukubo has become a very mainstream way of travel, and many tourists like to live in different temples to experience various styles of Shukubo. The courtyard of Chishakuin is one of the famous courtyards in Kyoto. It is said to be built in imitation of China's Lushan. The beauty of the four seasons is pleasing to the eye. Chishakuin was built in 1601 and is the head temple of the Shingon sect Chizan school. There are 3,000 branch temples, originating from the Kishu Negoroji Temple founded during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Every temple's Shukubo will have its unique activities. Some will have Zen meditation, sitting quietly, only listening to the sound of birds and the friction of leaves, eliminating daily distractions. Many monks in the temple will teach how to meditate, which is easy to get started. There are also morning classes, chanting in the main hall and in front of the Buddha statue, starting a beautiful new day. The morning class at Chishakuin is about 5:40 gathering in the hall, and the monks will lead everyone to the main hall for chanting, which lasts about an hour. After the chanting, everyone will be given a "Omamori" of Chishakuin. The food in the temple is actually quite reliable, and there is no requirement for everyone to be vegetarian. The dinner at Chishakuin is basically a Kyoto-style meal.

The plum blossoms at Chishakuin are blooming beautifully. The clear sky is perfect for viewing, and you can also see the hurried figures of the monks coming and going after chanting in the hall. It's really a unique experience, where the feeling of movement is also a sense of stillness.