Kanchi-in (観智院) is a temple of the Toji Shingon sect, located in Minami Ward, Kyoto City, and is one of the tatchu (sub-temple) of To-ji (東寺).
Because a lot of sacred books of the Shingon Esoteric Buddhism are collected in this temple, it’s also called ‘Graduate school of the Shingon Buddhism.’
So, it produced many scholarly monks.
In addition, this temple was also a place used for hiding himself after Musasi MIYAMOTO (宮本武蔵) who was a master of the sword during the early Edo period did a duel called ‘Duel of the Ichijoji-Sagarimatsu’.
He was known as an artist and left his art work in this temple.
History of Kanchi-in
Let’s study the history of this sub-temple with me before introducing of Kanchi-in (観智院).
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this sub-temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Kanchi-in was founded in 1359 of the Muromachi period by Goho (杲宝) who was a scholarly monk of the Shingon Sect.
He wrote Toboki (東宝記), To-ji Temple’s History book which is designated as a national treasure.
Temple buildings collapsed by Keicho Fushimi earthquake in 1596 of the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
So, all buildings of this temple were rebuilt after the Edo period.
Kyaku-den (guest hall), rebuilt in 1605 of the Edo period, is designated as a national treasure.
Suiboku-ga (ink painting), drawn by Musashi MIYAMOTO, is left in the Kyaku-den hall.
Principal image of this temple is ‘Five Great Kokuzo Bosatsu (五大虚空蔵菩薩).’
It is the 13th bodhisattva, and has divine favor of the wisdom.
Information for visitors
Information
Address：403, Kujocho, Minami-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 601-8473, Japan
Phone number：+81-75-691-1131
Foundation：1359
Founder：Goho (杲宝)
Sect：Toji Shingon sect
Principal image：Five Major Kokuzo Bosatsu (五大虚空蔵菩薩)
Open
9:00 ~ 17:00
Admission fee
| Adults | 500 yen |
| Junior high students or younger | 300 yen |
Temple’s Website
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 see highlights of this temple!
Highlights of Kanchi-in
- 西門:Nishi-mon gate
- 南門:Minami-mon gate
- 静観堂:Seikan-do*
- 庫裏:Kuri
- 客殿 (国宝)*:Kyaku-den hall (National treasure)*
- 長者の庭*:Choja-no-niwa garden*
- 六地蔵尊*:Rokujizoson (Six Jizo)*
- 金剛蔵*:Kongo-zo (treasure house)*
- 本堂*:Hon-do hall*
- 四方正面の庭*:Shihoshomen-no-niwa garden*
- 書院*:Shoin*
- 楓泉観(茶室)*:Fuusen-kan (Tea house)*
- 露地*:Roji*
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
西門:Nishi-mon gate
南門:Minami-mon gate
静観堂:Seikan-do*
Image of Kobo Daishi Kukai (空海) who was the founder of the Shingon sect is enshrined in this building.
庫裏:Kuri
It has the role as a priest’s living quarters or the kitchen of a temple.
客殿 (国宝)*:Kyaku-den hall (National treasure)*
Kyaku-den hall was rebuilt in 1605 of the Edo period and is designated as a national treasure.
Suiboku-ga (ink painting), drawn by Musashi MIYAMOTO, is left in this building.
長者の庭*:Choja-no-niwa garden*
Front garden of the Kyaku-den hall is called ‘Choja-no-niwa garden.’
Choja (長者) has the meaning of “High priest of To-ji”.
This garden was redesigned in 2017 in commemoration of the 1200th anniversary of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism.
六地蔵尊*:Rokujizoson (Six Jizo)*
Rokujizoson (Six Jizo) are Bodhisattvas (菩薩) who make a pilgrimage around the six realms of Buddhism.
金剛蔵*:Kongo-zo (treasure house)*
Kongo-zo has the role as a treasure house.
本堂*:Hon-do hall*
Five Major Kokuzo Bosatsu (五大虚空蔵菩薩) which is the principal image of this temple is enshrined in this building.
四方正面の庭*:Shihoshomen-no-niwa garden*
It is the courtyard called ‘Shihoshomen-no-niwa garden‘.
Shihoshomen (四方正面) has the meaning of ‘All directions are the front.’
書院*:Shoin*
It has wall paintings which was drawn by Taisuke HAMADA (浜田泰介) who is the Modern Japanese painter.
楓泉観(茶室)*:Fuusen-kan (Tea house)*
Fuusen-kan is a tea house.
露地*:Roji*
This is the front garden of the tea house called Roji.
Photos of Kanchi-in
Video of Kanchi-in
Goshuin (red ink stamp) of Kanchi-in
Goshuin of this temple is “Kokuzo Bosatsu (虚空蔵菩薩)” which is the principal image of this temple.
We can get this goshuin in the Jiki-do hall of To-ji. (300 yen)
How to get to Kanchi-in
Nearest station of Kanchi-in Temple is JR Kyoto station or Kintetsu To-ji Station.
We can also go by bus from “JR Kyoto Station”, “Kyoto Kawaramachi Station” and “Keihan Gion-Shijo Station”.
From Osaka Sta. to Toji 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 Kintetsu Kyoto Line.
2.Get on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Toji Station.
From Namba Sta. to Toji 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 Kintetsu Kyoto Line.
3.Get on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Toji Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Toji Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line from Kyoto Station to Toji Station.
From Kyoto Station (on foot)
It’s about 20 minutes (1.2 km) on foot.
From Toji Station (on foot)
It’s about 7 minutes (400 m) on foot.
Get on a bus from JR Kyoto Station (Central Exit)
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.16 from Kyoto Sta.[C4] bus stop and get off Toji Nishimon-mae bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No.16[Bound for Toji Temple]
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta.[C4]
Alighting bus stop：Toji Nishimon-mae
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 14 min
Get on a bus from JR Kyoto Station (Hachijo-guchi Exit)
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.16 from Kyoto Sta. (Hachijoguchi)[G1] bus stop and get off Toji Nishimon-mae bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No.16[Bound for Toji Temple]
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta. (Hachijoguchi)[G1]
Alighting bus stop：Toji Nishimon-mae
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 7 min
Get on a bus from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.207 from Shijo Kawaramachi[D] bus stop and get off Toji Higashimon-mae (Toji Temple) bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No.207[Bound for Toji Temple Via Shijo Omiya]
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Kawaramachi[D]
Alighting bus stop：Toji Higashimon-mae (Toji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 22 min
Get on a bus from Gion-shijo Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.207 from Shijo Keihan-mae[B] bus stop and get off Toji Higashimon-mae (Toji Temple) bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No.207[Bound for Toji Temple Via Shijo Omiya]
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Keihan-mae[B]
Alighting bus stop：Toji Higashimon-mae (Toji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 25 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 850 yen (5 minutes)
From Gion-shijo Station：about 1,800 yen (about 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 Kanchi-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
