Saiho-ji Temple is a temple of the Rinzai sect, located in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City.
Because it is famous for it’s beautiful moss garden, it is also called Moss Temple.
As part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, it is registered as a World Heritage site.
This article introduces for you information of the best seasons of Saiho-ji Temple.
Best season
Because moss grows from spring to early summer, best season of Saiho-ji is June to July.
I visited Saiho-ji Temple in late June.
Information for visitors
Visitors are only admitted after making an application via return postcard.
Please refer to the following article for application method.
Video of Saiho-ji Temple
Photos of Saiho-ji Temple
How to get to Saiho-ji Temple
Nearest station is Hankyu Arashiyama Line Matsuo-Taisha Station.
We can also go by bus from JR Kyoto Station.
From Osaka / Umeda Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Hankyu Kyoto Line from Osaka-Umeda Station to Katsura Station and change to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line.
2.Get on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line from Katsura Station to Matsuo-taisha Station.
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 Haknyu Kyoto Line.
2.Get on the Hankyu Kyoto Line from Osaka-Umeda Station to Katsura Station and change to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line.
3.Get on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line from Katsura Station to Matsuo-taisha Station.
From Kyoto Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Shijo Station and change to the Haknyu Kyoto Line.
2.Get on the Hankyu Kyoto Line from Karasuma Station to Katsura Station and change to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line.
3.Get on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line from Katsura Station to Matsuo-taisha Station.
From Matsuo-taisha Sta. (on foot)
It’s about 30 minutes (1.5 km) on foot.
Get on a bus from Kyoto Sta.
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto Bus No.73 (Kyoto Sta. [C6]) and get off Kokedera & Suzumushidera.
Bus company：Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination：73/Bound for Kokedera & Suzumushidera
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta. [C6]
Alighting bus stop：Kokedera & Suzumushidera
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 56 min
Get on a bus from Kyoto Kawaramachi Sta.
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto Bus No.63 (Shijo Kawaramachi [South]) and get off Kokedera & Suzumushidera.
Bus company：Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination：63/Bound for Kokedera & Suzumushidera
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta. [C6]
Alighting bus stop：Kokedera & Suzumushidera
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 62 min
Get on a bus from Hankyu Arashiyama Sta.
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto Bus No.63,73,83 (Hankyu Arashiyama Sta. [South]) and get off Kokedera & Suzumushidera.
Bus company：Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination：63,73,83/Bound for Kokedera & Suzumushidera
Boarding bus stop：Hankyu Arashiyama Sta. [South]
Alighting bus stop：Kokedera & Suzumushidera
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 8 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：About 3,500 yen (20 minutes)
From Gion-shijo Station：About 4,000 yen (25 minutes)
From Hankyu Arashiyama Station：About 1,300 yen (10 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)]*Japanese text only.
[Phone number of taxi dispatch (Arashiyama Station)]*Japanese text only.
Hotel search & reservation around Saiho-ji
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Have a nice trip!
