Hosen-in Temple is one of the sub-temples of Shorin-in (Tendai Sect) located in Ohara, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.

The principal image (honzon) is Amida Nyorai.

There are different types of three Japanese gardens in the precincts.


History of Hosen-in

Let’s study the history of this temple with me.

I think that we can enjoy sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD


宝泉院の参道

It is said that Hosen-in was built in 1235 -1237 of the Katei era by Sokai who was a Buddhist priest of the Tendai sect.

At the time of the foundation of this temple, this temple was called ‘Ryosho-bo (了性房)’.

‘Bo (房)’ has the meaning of ‘priests living quarters”.

The Sho-in hall and gardens of the temple were built during the Edo period, and it came to be called ‘Hosen-in (宝泉院)’ in 1716 of the Edo period.


This temple was priests’ living quarters for the Buddhist priest who trained himself of ‘Shomyo (声明)’ from old days.


Shomyo (声明) is something like Christian hymn in Buddhism.

There are various types of Shomyo.

Shomyo which Saicho who was the sect founder of the Tendai Sect conveyed is called ‘Tendai Shomyo (天台声明)’, and it developed in the Ohara area.


宝泉院の客室から望む庭園

In addition, it is said that Shomyo had a big influence on Joruri (dramatic narrative chanted to a samisen accompaniment) and Rokyoku (naniwa-bushi recitation) which are traditional arts of Japan.

Information for visitors

website

Information

Address:187, Ohara Shorinincho, Kyoto Shi Sakyo Ku, Kyoto Fu, 601-1241, Japan
Phone:+81-75-744-2409
Foundation:1235 – 1237
Founder:宗快法印
Sect:Tendai Sect (天台宗)
Principal image:Amida Nyorai (阿弥陀如来)

Open

9:00 – 17:00

Admission Fee

Adults Junior and senior high school students Elementary school students
800 yen 700 yen 600 yen

(Include a green tea.)

Other Informations

Inside the building, there are places where photography is prohibited. (Please follow the official’s instructions.)

The worship method of a shinto shrine and a buddhist temple, please refer to the following article.


宝泉院のパンフレット

Next, let’s go to see the highlights of this temple with me!


Highlights of Hosen-in

This mark 「*」 is a pay area.

山門:San-mon gate

宝泉院の山門

法然上人衣掛けの石*:The stone seat of Honen*

宝泉院-法然上人衣掛けの石

The old days, it is said that Honen sat down here.

書院*:Sho-in hall*

宝泉院の書院入り口


宝泉院の書院外観

囲炉裏の間*:Irori fireplace room*

宝泉院の囲炉裏の間

The Irori fireplace was developed as an essential part of everyday life in old Japan.

During meal, family members sit around here, and conversations are raised.

鶴亀庭園*:Tsurukame-Teien (Garden of Cranes and Turtles)*

宝泉院の鶴亀庭園01

This is the ‘Tsurukame Teien’ (Garden of Cranes and Turtles) which was created in the middle of Edo period.


宝泉院の鶴亀庭園02

There are a ‘kame-shima island’ (a tortoise island) and a ‘tsuru-pond’ (a crane pond).


宝泉院-鶴亀庭園の紅葉

In the autumn, we can see beautiful autumn leaves.

盤桓園*:Bankan-en garden*

宝泉院の盤桓園

This is the Bankan-en garden.


宝泉院の盤桓園02

This garden is also called ‘Gakubuchi-no-niwa (picture frame garden)’.

五葉の松*:Goyo-no-matsu (five-needle white pine)*

宝泉院の五葉の松01

A 700 year old ‘five-needle white pine’ is the highlight of this garden.

血天井*:Chitenjo (Bloody Ceiling)*

宝泉院の血天井

The ceiling board was reconstructed in the temple from Fushimi Momoyama-jo Castle, and there remains a trace of Mototada TORII (鳥居元忠), a vassal of the Tokugawa family who killed himself upon being defeated by Mitsunari ISHIDA (石田三成) in 1600, which resulted in a bloody ceiling.

理智不二水琴窟*:Suikinkutsu (water harp cave)*

宝泉院の理智不二水琴窟

Suikinkutsu is the water harp cave, a decoration device in a Japanese garden that generates a sound like the Japanese harp with drops of water.

宝楽園*:Horaku-en garden*

宝泉院の宝楽園01

This is the Horaku-en garden, the dry landscape Japanese garden where a three stone Buddha statue located in the center.


宝泉院の宝楽園02


宝泉院-宝楽園の紅葉

In the autumn, we can see beautiful autumn leaves.

Autumn leaves

The precincts of this temple is also famous for its autumn leaves.

The best season of autumn leaves is late November to early December.

hosenin-cr-01

Picture 1 of 12


Video of Hosen-in

Photos of Hosen-in

Hosen-in Temple (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto):宝泉院(京都市左京区)


Goshuin (Red ink stamps) of Hosen-in

宝泉院の御朱印

Hosen-in’s red ink stamp (goshuin) , ‘Busshin (佛心)’.

How to get to Hosen-in

The nearest station is Kyoto Bus Ohara bus stop.

It is about 15 minutes on foot from Ohara bus stop.

We recommend that you go to Kokusaikaikan Station by a train, and get on a bus from Kokusaikaikan Station.


From Osaka Sta. to Kokusaikaikan Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.

2.Change to the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line at Kyoto Station.

3.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Kokusaikaikan Station.


From Namba Sta. to Kokusaikaikan Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Umeda (Osaka) Station.

2.Get on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.

3.Change to the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line at Kyoto Station.

4.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Kokusaikaikan Station.


From Namba Sta. to Kokusaikaikan Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Kokusaikaikan Station.


Get on a bus from Kokusaikaikan Station

Timetable and Route Search (bus)

Please get on a bus No.19  (bus stop 3).

[Timetable] Kyoto Bus No. 19

Bus company:Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination:No.19 [Bound for Ohara・Kodeishi]
Boarding bus stop:Kokusaikaikan Sta. [3]
Alighting bus stop:Ohara
Bus fare:350 yen
Time required:About 22 min


Get on a bus from Keihan Demachiyanagi Station

Timetable and Route Search (bus)

Please get on a bus No.16 or No.17  (bus stop C).

[Timetable] Kyoto Bus No. 16 / 17

Bus company:Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination:No.16 /17 [Bound for Ohara]
Boarding bus stop:Demachiyanagi Sta.[C]
Alighting bus stop:Ohara
Bus fare:430 yen
Time required:About 33 min


Get on a bus from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station

Timetable and Route Search (bus)

Please get on a bus No.17  (bus stop ‘To North’).

[Timetable] Kyoto Bus No. 17

Bus company:Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination:No.17 [Bound for Ohara]
Boarding bus stop:Shijo Kawaramachi [To north]
Alighting bus stop:Ohara
Bus fare:520 yen
Time required:About 52 min


Get on a bus from JR/Subway Kyoto Station

Timetable and Route Search (bus)

Please get on a bus No.17  (bus stop C3).

[Timetable] Kyoto Bus No. 17

Bus company:Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination:No.17 [Bound for Ohara]
Boarding bus stop:Kyoto Sta. [C3]
Alighting bus stop:Ohara
Bus fare:550 yen
Time required:About 68 min


From Ohara bus stop (on foot)

It is about 20 minutes (750 meters) on foot from Ohara bus stop.


Take a taxi

From Kyoto Station:about 6600 yen (40 minutes)

From Gion-Shijo Station:about 5900 yen (35 minutes)

From Kokusaikaikan Station:about 3500 yen (20 minutes)

・Let’s show a taxi driver the following phrase.

hosenin-htg-10

・If you want to call a taxi, let’s show the following phrase.

taxi-call

[Phone number of taxi dispatch : Around the Kyoto Station]*Japanese text only.


Hotel search & reservation


How did you like it?

Have a nice trip! XD