Entoku-in (圓徳院) is one of sub-temples of Kodai-ji located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City.
It is the place where Nene (ねね) who was the wife of Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI (豊臣秀吉) spent her later years.
She visited to Kodai-ji every day from this place to pray for the repose of Hideyoshi’s soul.
Therefore, the road connecting Kodai-ji and Entoku-in is called “Nene-no-michi (ねねの道:Nene’s road).”
North garden of this temple is designated as a places of scenic beauty.
History of Entoku-in
Let’s study the history of this temple with me before introducing Entoku-in (圓徳院).
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD
It was founded in 1605 by Toshifusa KINOSHITA (木下利房) who was a busho (a Japanese military commander) in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (安土桃山時代).
He was also Nene’s nephew, posthumous Buddhist name was ‘Entoku-in (圓徳院)’.
So, this temple is called Entoku-in.
About Entoku-in
Information
Address：530, Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 605-0825, Japan
Phone Number：+81-75-525-0101
Foundation：1605
Founder：Sanko Joeki (三江紹益)
Sect：Kennin-ji school of the Rinzai Sect (臨済宗建仁寺派)
Principal image：Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来)
Open
10:00~17:00
Admission Fee
| Adults | 500 yen |
| High / Junior high students | 200 yen |
Other information
・Please ask temple’s staff where you can take photos and videos.
・Worship method of a shinto shrine and a buddhist temple, please refer to the following article.
Next, Let’s go to see highlights of this temple with me!
Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro
Illuminations event called ‘Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro (京都東山花灯路)‘ is held every spring in Higashiyama, Kyoto.
Entoku-in is also a venue of this events.
Highlights of Entoku-in
- 長屋門:Nagaya-mon gate
- 唐門*:Kara0-mon gate*
- 秀吉公好みの手水鉢*:Hideyoshi’s Washbowl*
- 庫裏*:Kuri*
- 方丈*:Hojo*
- 南庭*:South garden*
- 北書院*:Kita (North) Shoin*
- 北庭 (名勝)*:North garden (Places of scenic beauty)*
- 茶室*:Tea house*
- 三面大黒天:Sanmen-daikokuten
- 歌仙堂:Kasen-do
This mark (*) is a pay area.
長屋門:Nagaya-mon gate
唐門*:Kara-mon gate*
Kara-mon gate has a role of an entrance of the Hojo.
秀吉公好みの手水鉢*:Hideyoshi’s Washbowl*
This is the Chozubachi (Washbowl) favored by Hideyoshi.
庫裏*:Kuri*
Kuri (庫裏) refers to a single building among a Buddhist temple complex.
方丈*:Hojo*
Hojo was built in 1605 of the Edo period.
Landscape paintings (山水図) which were drawn by Tohaku HASEGAWA (長谷川等伯) in the Azuchi-Momoyama period, designated as an important cultural property, are displayed in this building.
南庭*:South garden*
Nan-tei (South garden) is the Japanese rock garden (枯山水:Karesansui) which was designed in 1994 by Yasuo KITAYAMA (北山安夫).
北書院*:Kita (North) Shoin*
Kita (north) Shoin was relocated to the temple from Fushimi Castle (伏見城) in 1605 of the Edo period.
Nene (ねね) spent the last 19 years of her life here.
北庭 (名勝)*:North garden (Places of scenic beauty)*
Hoku-tei (North garden) was designated as a places of scenic beauty.
This garden was relocated to the temple from Fushimi Castle (伏見城) in 1605 of the Edo period.
This is a Japanese rock garden (枯山水:Karesansui) and it is said to have been made by Enshu KOBORI (小堀遠州).
茶室*:Tea house*
Tea house adjoining the north side of the Kita Shoin.
三面大黒天:Sanmen-daikokuten
Sanmen-daikokuten is God which was believed when Hideyoshi succeeded in his life.
Because this god has a face and divine favor of Daikokuten, Benzaiten and Bishamonten, it is called Sanmen-daikokuten. (‘Sanmen (三面)’ has a meaning of three faces.)
歌仙堂:Kasen-do
Katsutoshi KINOSHITA (木下勝俊) who was a nephew of Nene (ねね) and was said to be the genius of the Japanese poetry is enshrined in this building.
Photos of Entoku-in
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Entoku-in
Goshuin of this temple is “Fukuju (福寿)” which has the meaning of ‘Pray for happiness and longevity.’
We can get this goshuin in the reception desk of the entrance. (300 yen)
How to get to Entoku-in
Nearest station of Entoku-in is “Keihan Gion-Shijo Station” or “Hankyu Kawaramachi Station”.
We can also go by bus from ‘JR Kyoto Station’, ‘Hankyu Kawaramachi Station’ and ‘Keihan Gion-Shijo Station’.
From Osaka Sta. to Gion-shijo Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Loop Line from Osaka Station to Kyobashi Station and change to the Keihan Railway.
2.Get on the Keihan Railway from Kyobashi Station to Gion-shijo Station.
From Namba Sta. to Gion-shijo Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji-Line from Namba Station to Yodoyabashi Station and change to the Keihan Railway.
2.Get on the Keihan Railway from Yodoyabashi Station to Gion-shijo Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Gion-shijo Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station and change to the Keihan Railway.
2.Get on the Keihan Railway from Tofukuji Station to Gion-shijo Station.
From Gion-shijo Station (on foot)
It’s about 20 minutes (1 km) on foot.
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Get on a bus from JR Kyoto Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.100 or 110 (Kyoto Sta.[D1] bus stop) and get off Higashiyama Tasui bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No.206[Bound for Gion Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple]
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta.[D2]
Alighting bus stop：Higashiyama Yasui
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 19 min
Get on a bus from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.207 (Shijo Kawaramachi [E]) and get off Higashiyama Yasui bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No.207[Bound for Tofukuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple]
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Kawaramachi[E]
Alighting bus stop：Higashiyama Yasui
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 8 min
Get on a bus from Gion-shijo Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.10 (Shijo Keihan-mae [A]) and get off Higashiyama Yasui bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No.207[Bound for Tofukuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple]
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Keihan-mae[A]
Alighting bus stop：Higashiyama Yasui
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 7 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 1,800 yen (10 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：about 720 yen (5 minutes)
・Let’s show a taxi driver the following phrase.
・If you want to call a taxi, let’s show the following phrase.
Phone number of taxi dispatch (Kyoto Station)
Hotel search & reservation around Entoku-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
