Kyu (Former) Chikurin-in (旧竹林院) is a former temple located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture.
Originally it was one of a Satobo of Mt. Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple.
Satobo is the house where the priest who retired spends the rest of life.
Highlight of this former temple is the large Japanese garden (designated as a national site of scenic beauty).
History of Kyu-Chikurin-in
Let’s study the history of this former temple with me before introducing of the Kyu (Former) Chikurin-in.
I think that we can more enjoy the sightseeing of this former temple by learning the history of it. XD
Originally it was one of a Satobo of Mt. Hiei Enryaku-ji Temple.
(Satobo is the house where the priest who retired spends the rest of life.)
It had the highest formality in Satobo of Enryaku-ji.
So, it has large land and beautiful garden.
Information for visitors
Website
Information
Address：5-2-13, Sakamoto, Otsu Shi, Shiga Ken, 520-0113, Japan
Phone number：+81-77-578-0955
Open
9:00~17:00
(The entrance gate closes at 16:30.)
Regular holiday
Every Monday (if a national holiday falls on Monday, it is closed the next day.)
The end of the year (December 26 – December 31)
Admission fee
| Adults | 320 yen |
| Children | 160 yen |
Other information
・Please ask temple’s staff where you can take photos and videos.
Next, let’s see the highlights of this place!
Highlights of Kyu-Chikurin-in
- 山門:San-mon gate
- 母屋*:Main building*
- 旧竹林院庭園 (名勝)*:Kyu-Chikurin-in garden (Places of scenic beauty)*
- 四阿(あずまや)*:Azumaya (square gazebo)*
- 蓬莱(茶室)*:Horai (Tea house)*
- 天の川席(茶室)*:Amanogawa-seki (Tea house)*
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
山門:San-mon gate
母屋*:Main building*
This building was built in 1897 of the Meiji period.
The first floor of the building is the big Japanese-style room which can look at a garden.
The second floor of the building is the Japanese-style room which can look down at the garden.
旧竹林院庭園 (名勝)*:Kyu-Chikurin-in garden (Places of scenic beauty)*
Kyu-Chikurin-in garden is one of a circuit style garden.
Area of this garden is approximately 3,300 square meters.
It is designated as a national scenic beauty.
四阿(あずまや)*:Azumaya (square gazebo)*
Azumaya (square gazebo) is designated as a cultural property designated by Otsu City.
It has the role as a rest station of the garden.
蓬莱(茶室)*:Horai (Tea house)*
There is two tea houses in this garden.
This is the Horai which is the big ones.
This tea house is designated as a cultural property designated by Otsu City.
天の川席(茶室)*:Amanogawa-seki (Tea house)*
This is the Amanogawa-seki which is the small ones.
It is also designated as a cultural property designated by Otsu City.
It has two doorways.
This technique is very rare in the Japanese style tea house.
Video of Kyu-Chikurin-in
Photos of Kyu-Chikurin-in
How to get to Kyu-Chikurin-in
Nearest station is Keihan Ishiyama-Sakamoto-Line Sakamoto station or JR Kosei-Line Hieizan-Sakamoto station.
We can go by bus from these station.
From Osaka Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Kyoto Line (go through to the Biwako Line) from Osaka Station to Hieizan Sakamoto 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/Biwako Line.
2.Get on the JR Kyoto Line (go through to the Biwako Line) from Osaka Station to Hieizan Sakamoto Station.
From Kyoto Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Biwako Line from Kyoto Station to Hieizan Sakamoto Station.
From Hieizan-Sakamoto Sta. or Sakamoto Sta. (on foot)
From Hieizan-Sakamoto station : It’s about 25 minutes (1.2 km) on foot.
From Sakamoto station : It’s about 7 minutes (500 m) on foot.
Get on a bus from Hieizan-Sakamoto Station
Please get on a Kojak Bus No.31/33/41 (Hieizan-Sakamoto Sta. [2]) and get off Hiyoshi-Taisha-mae.
Bus company：Kojak Bus
Routes/Destination：
・Route No. 31,33[Bound for Saikyo-ji]
・Route No. 41[Bound for Cable Sakamoto Sta.]
Boarding bus stop：Hieizan-Sakamoto Sta. [2]
Alighting bus stop：Hiyoshi-Taisha-mae
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 5 min
Ｇet on a bus from Sakamoto Station
Please get on a Kojak Bus No.31/33/41 (Sakamoto Eizanguchi Sta. [1]) and get off Hiyoshi-Taisha-mae.
Bus company：Kojak Bus
Routes/Destination：Route No. 31,33[Bound for Saikyo-ji]
Boarding bus stop：Sakamoto Eizanguchi Sta. [1]
Alighting bus stop：Hiyoshi-Taisha-mae
Bus fare：210 yen
Time required：About 2 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 7,000 yen (40 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：about 6,500 yen (30 minutes)
From JR Otsu Station：about 4,000 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 (Kyoto Station)
Phone number of taxi dispatch (Otsu Station)
Hotel search & reservation around Kyu (Former) Chikurin-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
