Koto-in (高桐院) 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.
Among the sub-temples, those that are generally open to the public are Ryogen-in Temple, Zuiho-in Temple, Daisen-in Temple and Koto-in Temple.
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.
This temple connected to the Hosokawa Clan (細川家) and contains the tombs of individuals including Tadaoki HOSOKAWA (細川忠興) and his wife Gracia HOSOKAWA (細川ガラシャ).
It is designated as michelin green guide ★.
History of Koto-in
Let’s study the history of this sub-temple with me before introducing of Koto-in (高桐院).
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this sub-temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Koto-in (高桐院) 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.
Koto-in was founded in 1602 by Tadaoki HOSOKAWA (細川忠興), a resourceful general who made his name during the Sengoku Period (Period of Warring States) (Japan) and one of the seven disciples of tea ceremony master Rikyu, and he named his uncle Gyokuho Joso as kaisan (founding priest).
In 1579, he married Mitsuhide’s 3rd daughter Tamako (Gracia HOSOKAWA).
Tadaoki was a disciple of SEN no Rikyu (千利休) and was famous as a great master of tea ceremony.
Tamako was a Christian, so received the Christian name ‘Garasha’, a Japanized form of Gracia (from Gratia, meaning grace and blessing in Latin).
There is the graves of Tadaoki HOSOKAWA and his wife Gracia HOSOKAWA.
Information for visitors
Information
Address：73-1, Murasakino Daitokujicho, Kita-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 603-8231, Japan
Phone number：+81-75-492-0068
Foundation：1601
Founder：Tadaoki HOSOKAWA (細川忠興)
Sect：Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect
Principal image：Shaka Nyorai (釈迦如来)
Open
9:00~16:30
Admission fee
| Adults | 400 yen |
| Junior high students | 300 yen |
| Children | 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 the highlights of Koto-in!!
Highlights of Koto-in
- 参道:Approach to the temple
- 庫裏*:Kuri*
- 本堂*:Hon-do hall*
- 蓬莱(茶室)*:Horai(tea room)*
- 庭園「楓の庭」*:Garden of the maple*
- 意北軒(書院)*:Ihoku-ken(Shoin hall)*
- 松向軒(茶室)*:Shoko-ken(tea room)*
- 細川忠興･ガラシャの墓所*:(Grave of Tadaoki HOSOKAWA and Gracia HOSOKAWA)*
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
参道:Approach to the temple
It is famous for beautiful approach.
庫裏*:Kuri*
Kuri has the role of the entrance of this temple.
本堂*:Hon-do hall*
This is Hon-do hall.
This building suffered a great damage during Haibutsu-kishaku (a movement to abolish Buddhism) in the early Meiji period.
So, it was reconstructed in the late Meiji period.
We can look at the garden from the veranda of this building slowly.
蓬莱(茶室)*:Horai(tea room)*
庭園「楓の庭」*:Garden of the maple*
Garden of Hon-do hall is called “garden of the maple.”
Just like the name, a lot of maple trees are planted in the garden.
意北軒(書院)*:Ihoku-ken(Shoin hall)*
This building is also called Ihoku-ken, was originally a residence of SEN no Rikyu (千利休).
松向軒(茶室)*:Shoko-ken(tea room)*
細川忠興／ガラシャの墓所*:(Grave of Tadaoki HOSOKAWA and Gracia HOSOKAWA)*
It is connected to the Hosokawa Clan and contains the tombs of individuals including Tadaoki HOSOKAWA and his wife Gracia HOSOKAWA.
Photos of Koto-in
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Koto-in
Goshuin of this temple is “Koto-in (高桐院)”.
How to get to Koto-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：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
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 Koto-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
