Korin-in (興臨院) is a temple of the Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect, located in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, and is the tatchu (sub-temple) of Daitoku-ji.
Daitoku-ji is one of the most huge zen-temple in Kyoto, and now it has a total of 24 sub-temples.
Those sub-temples are small temples but have a distinctive charm that big temple does not have.
In addition, they have a history with the deep relationship with their main-temple.
So, when you go to Daitoku-ji, I recommend that you go to these sub-temples.
Korin-in is a family temple of the Maeda clan of Kaga Province (加賀前田家) which is famous for “Kaga Hyakumangoku (加賀百万石)” , meaning “Kaga One million-koku” (Koku is a unit to measure the weight of rice in the old days of Japan.
Highlight of this temple is ‘Karesansui gardens (Japanese rock gardens)‘ which was designed by Kinsaku Nakane (中根金作) who was a leading Japanese garden designer in the Showa period.
History of Korin-in
Let’s study the history of this sub-temple with me before introducing of Korin-in (興臨院).
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this sub-temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Principal image of Daitoku-ji and this temple is Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来).
Shaka Nyorai (Shikyajirai or Shakamuni-butsu) is a title of respect for Shaka (Kudonshittaruta, Gautama Siddhaartha in Sanskrit, Gotama Siddhatthaa in Pali), a founder of Buddhism, as Buddha.
Korin-in was founded in about 1521 of the Muromachi period by Yoshinari HATAKEYAMA (畠山義総) who was a daimyo based in Noto Province in the Sengoku Period.
Because his Buddhist name was ‘Korinin-Denotokuin-Daikoji (興臨院殿伝翁徳胤大居士)’, this temple was named ‘Korin-in (興臨院)’.
It became a disused temple in the late Sengoku Period, but was rebuilt by Toshiie MAEDA (前田利家) who was a founder of the Maeda clan, Kaga hanshu (the Lord of the Kaga domain).
So, it is a family temple of the Maeda clan now.
Information for visitors
It is not ordinarily open to the public (not fixed).
Below is the information on “Special admission in the winter of 2016”.
Special admission information
Information
Address：80, Murasakino Daitokujicho, Kita-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 603-8231, Japan
Phone number：+81-75-491-7636
Foundation：about 1521
Founder：Yoshinari HATAKEYAMA (畠山義総)
Sect：Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect
Principal image：Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来)
Open
10:00 ~ 16:30
Admission fee
600 yen (Adults)
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 Korin-in
- 表門(重要文化財)：Omote-mon Gate(Important cultural property)
- 庫裏*:Kuri*
- 唐門(重要文化財)*:Kara-mon Gate*(Important cultural property)
- 方丈(重要文化財)*:Hojo*(Important cultural property)
- 方丈前庭*:Hojo garden*
- 茶室･涵虚亭*:Tea House ‘Kankyo-tei’*
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
表門(重要文化財)：Omote-mon Gate(Important cultural property)
Omote-mon gate is designated as important cultural property.
It is one of the oldest gates in the gate at Daitoku-ji.
庫裏*:Kuri*
Kuri was rebuilt in the Showa period.
唐門(重要文化財)*:Kara-mon Gate*(Important cultural property)
Kara-mon gate has the role as a entrance of Hojo.
It is designated as important cultural property.
This gate is made of Zen Buddhism architecture.
方丈(重要文化財)*:Hojo*(Important cultural property)
Hojo was built in about 1533 of the Muromachi period, designated as important cultural property.
North side of Hoji.
Autumn leaves are very beautiful in autumn.
方丈前庭*:Hojo garden*
There is a Japanese rock garden (Karesansui : 枯山水) on the south side of Hoji.
White sand represents the sea, and stone represents Horai Mountain which is the view of Zen.
It was restored by Kinsaku NAKANE (中根金作) in the Showa period.
茶室「涵虚亭」*:Tea House ‘Kankyo-tei (涵虚亭)’*
This is the tea house ‘Kankyo-tei.’
The meaning of Kan (涵) is ‘full feeling’ and Kyo (虚) is ’empty feeling.’
Photos of Korin-in
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Korin-in
Goshuin of this temple is “Shakamunibutsu (釈迦牟尼仏)” which is the principal image of this temple.
We can get this goshuin at the entrance. (300 yen)
How to get to Korin-in
It is located in the precincts of Daitoku-ji.
Nearest station is Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line Kitaoji Station.
We can also go by bus from JR Kyoto Station.
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 Kitaoji 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 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 Kitaoji Station.
From Kyoto Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Kitaoji Station.
From Kitaoji Sta. (on foot)
It’s about 25 minutes (1.3 km) on foot.
Get on a bus from Kitaoji Sta.
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.204 or 206 (Kitaoji Bus Terminal [G]) and get off Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：204/Bound for Kinkakuji Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kitaoji Bus Terminal [G]
Alighting bus stop：Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 5 min
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：204/Bound for Ginkakuji Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kitaoji Bus Terminal [G]
Alighting bus stop：Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 5 min
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：206/Bound for Kyoto Sta.
Boarding bus stop：Kitaoji Bus Terminal [G]
Alighting bus stop：Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 5 min
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：206/Bound for Kyoto Sta. Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kitaoji Bus Terminal [G]
Alighting bus stop：Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 5 min
Get on a bus from Kyoto Sta.
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.206 (Kyoto Sta. [A3]) and get off Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：206/Bound for Kitaoji Bus Terminal Via Daitokuji Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta. [A3]
Alighting bus stop：Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 35 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：About 3,200 yen (20 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：About 3,000 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 the Kyoto Station]*Japanese text only.
Hotel search & reservation around Korin-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
