Ikka-in (一華院) is a temple of the Tofuku-ji school of the Rinzai sect, located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, and is one of a tatchu (sub-temple) of Tofuku-ji.
Tofuku-ji is the fourth grade of Kyoto Gozan (Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto), and it has a total of 25 sub-temples.
Highlight of this temple is the garden which has the pine tree with graceful branches.
Ikka-in is only open to the public on specific days in autumn.
History of Ikka-in
Let’s study the history of this sub-temple with me before introducing of Ikka-in (一華院).
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this sub-temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Ikka-in was founded in 1382 of the Muromachi period by Keneki Togen (東漸建易) who was the 67th chief priest of Tofuku-ji.
This temple became ruined afterwards, but it was revived in 1821 of the Edo period by Tenzui (天瑞) who was the priest of Reiun-in.
One sentence of ‘Dempoge (伝法偈)’ that is the teaching of the Zen is an origin of the name of this temple.
‘一華開五葉 結果自然成’
‘Ikka-Goyo (一華五葉)’ means ‘One flower opens with five beautiful petals.’
These petals represent our feelings like thankfulness or pure heart.
About Ikka-in
It is not ordinarily open to the public in autumn (not fixed).
Below is the information on “Special admission in the autumn of 2016”.
Information
Address：15-800, Hommachi, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 605-0981, Japan
Phone number：+81-75-561-7274
Foundation：1382
Founder：Keneki Togen (東漸建易)
Sect：Tofuku-ji school of the Rinzai sect
Principal image：Byakue Kannon (白衣観音)
Open
10:00 ~ 16:00
Admission fee
| High students or older | 400 yen |
| Junior high / Elementary students | 300 yen |
| Special ticket (with green tea) | 1,200 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!
Highlights of Ikka-in
- 表門:Omote-mon gate
- 方丈／書院*:Hojo / Shoin*
- 依稀松の庭 (南庭)*:Ikimatsu-no-niwa garden (South garden)*
- 彷彿石庭 (北庭)*:Hofutsu-Sekitei garden (North garden)*
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
表門:Omote-mon gate
Omote-mon gate has the role as a entrance of this temple.
Precincts of the temple.
方丈／書院*:Hojo / Shoin*
Seated statue of Byakue Kannon (白衣観音) which is the principal image of this temple is enshrined in this building.
依稀松庭 (南庭)*:Ikimatsu-no-niwa garden (South garden)*
This is the south garden called ‘Ikimatsu-no-niwa garden‘.
One big pine tree called ‘Ikimatsu’ is planted in the center of this garden.
彷彿石庭 (北庭)*:Hofutsu-Sekitei garden (North garden)*
This is the north garden called ‘Hofutsu-Sekitei garden‘.
This is the Karesansui garden (Japanese rock garden) where stones resembling the tiger’s pattern are put in the garden.
Photos of Ikka-in
Goshuin (red ink stamp) of Ikka-in
Goshuin of this temple is “一華開五葉” which is the sentence of the origin of this temple’s name.
How to get to Ikka-in
Nearest station is JR/Keihan Tofuku-ji Station.
We can also go by bus from ‘Kyoto Station’, ‘Kyoto Kawaramachi Station’, and ‘Keihan Gion-Shijo Station’.
From Osaka Sta. to Tofukuji 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 JR Nara Line.
2.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Namba Sta. to Tofukuji 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 JR Nara Line.
3.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Tofukuji Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Tofuku-ji Station (on foot)
It’s about 15 minutes (700m) on foot.
From Kyoto Sta. (by bus)
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.208 from Kyoto Sta.[D2] bus stop and get off Tofukuji (Tofukuji Temple) bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：208/Bound for Tofukuji Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta.[D2]
Alighting bus stop：Tofukuji
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 16 min
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.South-5 from Kyoto Sta.[C4] bus stop and get off Tofukuji-michi bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：South-5/Bound for Takeda Sta. Via Inari-taisha Shrine
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta.[C4]
Alighting bus stop：Tofukuji-michi
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 11 min
From Kyoto Kawaramachi Sta. (by bus)
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.207 from Shijo Kawaramachi [E] bus stop and get off Tofukuji (Tofukuji Temple) bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：207/Bound for Tofukuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Kawaramachi [E]
Alighting bus stop：Tofukuji
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 20 min
From Gion-shijo Sta. (by bus)
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.207 from Shijo Keihan-mae [2] bus stop and get off Tofukuji (Tofukuji Temple) bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：207/Bound for Tofukuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Keihan-mae[2]
Alighting bus stop：Tofukuji
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 18 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 1,500 yen (10 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：about 1,700 yen (15 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 Ikka-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
