Entsu-ji Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Myoshin-ji School of the Rinzai Sect, located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.

Originally, it was Emperor Gomizunoo’s villa called Hataeda Palace.

Afterwards in 1678, the villa was renovated to a temple.

This Temple’s Garden is particularly well known for the beautiful, borrowed landscape of Mt. Hiei.

It is designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty, and Kyoto City established the Landscape Policy (its official name is the Vista View Creation Ordinance) to conserve borrowed landscapes of this Garden.


History of Entsu-ji

Let’s study the history of this sub-temple with me before introducing of Entsu-ji.

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


Formerly Hataeda Palace, Entsu-ji is a Myoshinji Buddhist temple, toeh Myoshinji sect being a branch of Rinzaishu buddhism.

With the support of Prince Rinnojishuchohoshinno, Entsu-ji Temple was built in 1678 by a nun called Enkoinbunei.

She was a former attendant of the emperor Gomizuno’s mother, Chunamonin.


Keisen Soryu, the tenth head priest of Myoshin-ji Temple was appointed to become the first head priest of Entsu-ji Temple.

Enkoinbunei made wood block prints of the sutra Hensoufumonbon that are famous for being sent to temples in China.


Entsu-ji Temple possesses a hanging scroll made by the emperor Reigen that has been designated a national cultural treasure.


Temple’s garden was constructed to place Mount Hieizan as a backdrop and have been designated as a national site of scenic beauty.

Kyoto City established the Landscape Policy (its official name is the Vista View Creation Ordinance) to conserve borrowed landscapes of this Garden.

Information for visitors

Information

Address:389, Iwakura Hataedacho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 606-0015, Japan
Phone number:+81-75-781-1875
Foundation:1678
Founder:Buneini(文英尼)
Sect:Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji School (臨済宗妙心寺派)
Principal image:Sacred Avalokitesvara(聖観世音菩薩)

Open

10:00~16:30

Admission fee

500 yen (Adults)

300 yen (Junior high school students or younger)

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!


Highlights of Entsu-ji

This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.

山門:Sanmon gate

境内:Precincts of the temple


鐘楼:Shoro(Bell tower)

圓通寺庭園(名勝)*:Entsu-ji Temple Garden (National Site of Scenic Beauty)*

This Temple’s Garden is particularly well known for the beautiful, borrowed landscape of Mt. Hiei.


It is designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty, and Kyoto City established the Landscape Policy (its official name is the Vista View Creation Ordinance) to conserve borrowed landscapes of this Garden.

Video of Entsu-ji


Photos of Entsu-ji

圓通寺:Entsu-ji(20181122)

Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Entsu-ji

Goshuin of this temple is “Shokannon (聖観音)” which is the principal image of this temple.


How to get to Entsu-ji

Nearest station is Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line Kitayama Station or Eizan Electric Railway Kurama Line Kyoto Seika University.

We can also go by bus from Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line Kokusaikaikan.


From Osaka Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station and change to the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line.

2.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Kitayama Station.

entsuji-timetable-01-en


From Namba Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Umeda Station and change to the JR Kyoto Line.

2.Get on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station and change to the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line.

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

entsuji-timetable-02-en


From Kyoto Sta. (by train)

Timetable and Route Search (train)

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

entsuji-timetable-03-en


From Kitayama Station (on foot)

entsuji-htg-07

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About 1.8km, 30 minutes.


From Kyoto Bus Jidosha Kyoshujo-mae (on foot)

entsuji-htg-11

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About 600m, 10 minutes.


Get on a bus from Kokusaikaikan Sta.

Timetable and Route Search (bus)

Please get on a Kyoto Bus No.46 (Kokusaikaikan Sta. Bus Stop 2) and get off Jidosha Kyoshujo-mae.

Bus company:Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination:46/Bound for Kitaoji Sta. (北大路駅)
Boarding bus stop:Kokusaikaikan Sta. Bus Stop 2 (国際会館駅前)
Alighting bus stop:Jidosha Kyoshujo-mae (自動車教習所前)
Bus fare:160 yen
Time required:About 5 min


Take a taxi

From Kyoto Station:About 3,700 yen (20 minutes)

From Kokusaikaikan Station:About 770 yen (5 minutes)

From Kitayama Station:About 850 yen (5 minutes)

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

entsuji-htg-16

・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 around Entsu-ji


How did you like it?

Have a nice trip!