Joju-ji Temple (浄住寺), located in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, is a temple of a religious sect of Zen called the Obaku Sect.
It was built in 810 of the Heian period, the principal image is the Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来).
It is also famous for its beautiful autumn leaves.
History of Joju-ji
Let’s study the history of this temple with me before introducing Joju-ji.
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD
It is said that Buddhist priest of the Tendai sect Ennin (円仁) founded it in 810 of the Heian period at the imperial order by Emperor Saga (嵯峨天皇).
It fell into decline at the Muromachi period but was revived at the Edo period by Doki TETSUGYU (鉄牛道機) who was a priest of the Obaku sect.
About Joju-ji
Hojo hall and garden are open to the public on specific days during the Kyoto special viewing of privately owned cultural properties.
Information
Address：9, Yamada Hirakicho, Kyoto Shi Nishikyo Ku, Kyoto Fu, 615-8276, Japan
Phone Number：+81-75-381-6029
Foundation：Wado era (708-715)
Founder：Doki TETSUGYU (鉄牛道機)
Sect：Obaku Sect (黄檗宗)
Principal image：Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来)
Open (Special admission period)
9：00 – 16：30
Admission fee (Special admission period)
| Junior high school students or older | 600 yen |
| Elementary school students | 300 yen |
Other information
・It is information as of December, 2019.
・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 see highlights of this temple with me!
Highlights of Joju-ji
- 山門(San-mon gate)
- 参道(Approach to the temple)
- 本堂(Hon-do hall)
- 位牌堂･開山堂･寿塔*(Ihai-do hall / Kaizan-do hall / Ju-to pagoda)*
- 方丈*(Hojo hall)*
- 方丈庭園*(Hojo garden)*
- 観音堂(Kannon-do hall)
- 四宮社(Shinomiya-sha Shrine)
- 弁天堂(Benten-do hall)
- 亀甲竹(Tortoiseshell bamboo)
This mark (*) is a pay area. (Only special admission period.)
山門(San-mon gate)
参道(Approach to the temple)
It is famous for its beautiful autumn leaves.
本堂(Hon-do hall)
Hon-do hall (本堂) was rebuilt in 1697 of the Edo Period.
It was designated as a registered cultural property by Kyoto City.
The statue of Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来), the principal image of this temple, is enshrined in the hall.
位牌堂･開山堂･寿塔*(Ihai-do hall / Kaizan-do hall / Ju-to pagoda)*
Ihai-do hall is the hall where memorial tablets are kept.
Doki TETSUGYU (鉄牛道機) which is the founder of this temple is enshrined in Kaizan-do hall.
Buddha’s ashes are put in the Ju-to pagoda.
Hon-do hall, Ihai-do hall, Kaizan-do hall and Ju-to pagoda are arranged in almost a straight line.
方丈*(Hojo hall)*
Unryu-zu (painting of dragon and clouds) drawn by Eigaku KANO (狩野永岳) who was a painter of Kyo Kano school is displayed in the Hojo hall.
方丈庭園*(Hojo garden)*
Hojo garden is a chisen-kaiyushiki garden, Japanese style garden with a path around a central pond and spring.
観音堂(Kannon-do hall)
It’s the 30th temple of the Kyoto Rakusai 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.
Sho Kannon (聖観音) is enshrined in this hall.
四宮社(Shinomiya-sha Shrine)
弁天堂(Benten-do hall)
Happi Benzaiten (八臂弁財天, the goddess Saraswati which has eight arms) is enshrined in this hall.
亀甲竹(Tortoiseshell bamboo)
Bamboo growing in this temple is called ‘Tortoiseshell bamboo (亀甲竹)‘ because of its pattern.
Autumn leaves of Joju-ji
Movie of Joju-ji
Photos of Joju-ji
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Joju-ji
Goshuin of this temple is “Daihi Kanzeon Bosatsu (大悲観世音菩薩)” which is the principal image of the Kannon-do hall.
We can get this goshuin at the Hojo hall. (300 yen)
How to get to Joju-ji
Nearest station is “Hankyu Arashiyama Line Kami-katsura Station”.
We can also go by bus from Kyoto Station and Karasuma Station.
From Osaka Umeda Sta. to Kami-katsura 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 Kami-katsura Station.
From Namba Sta. to Kami-katsura 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 Hankyu 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 Kami-katsura Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Kami-katsura 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 Hankyu Kyoto Line.
2.Get on the Hankyu Kyoto Line from Karasuma Umeda Station to Katsura Station and change to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line.
3.Get on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line from Katsura Station to Kami-katsura Station.
From Kami-katsura Sta. to Joju-ji (on foot).
It’s about 15 minutes (800m) on foot.
Get on a bus from Kyoto Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto Bus No.73 bound for Kokedera Temple, Suzumushidera Temple (Kyoto Sta. [C6] bus stop) and get off Kokedera Temple, Suzumushidera Temple Bus Stop.
Bus company：Kyoto Bus
Routes/Destination：No.73[Bound for Kokedera Temple, Suzumushidera Temple]
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta.[C6]
Alighting bus stop：Kokedera Temple, Suzumushidera Temple
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 56 min
Get on a bus from Karasuma Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.29 bound for Rakusai Bus Terminal at Shijo Karasuma (Subway Shijo Sta.) Bus Stop [E] and get off Matsuo Dairicho Bus Stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No.29[Bound for Rakusai Bus Terminal]
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Karasuma (Subway Shijo Sta.) Bus Stop [E]
Alighting bus stop：Matsuo Dairicho
Bus fare：280 yen
Time required：About 34 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 3,100 yen (20 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：about 3,300 yen (20 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 (Around Kyoto Sta.)
・Phone number of taxi dispatch (Around Hankyu Arashiyama Sta.)
Hotel search & reservation around Joju-ji
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
