Reikan-ji Temple, located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, is a temple of the Nanzen-ji school of the Rinzai sect.
(Nanzen-ji Temple, Daihonzan (head temple) of this temple, was ranked higher than all Zen Buddhism temples in Japan.)
This temple is only open to the public on specific days in spring and autumn.
It is known as a famous place of spring camellia and autumn colored leaves.
History of Reikan-ji
Let’s study the history of this temple with me.
I think that we can enjoy sightseeing of this temple more by learning the history of it. XD
It is a Zen nunnery founded in 1654 by Gekko Socho (月江宗澄) who was the 12th Princess of Emperor Go-Mizunoo (後水尾天皇).
So, it is also called ‘Tani-no-Gosho’ or ‘Shishigatani nunnery.’
Its honzon (principal image) is Nyoirin Kannon (the Bodhisattva of Compassion).
It was relocated to its present location in 1687 when the fomer palace of the Emperor Gosai (後西天皇) was offered to the temple.
(This fomer palace is the Sho-in Hall of this temple now.)
The present main temple was built thanks to a donation by Ienari TOKUGAWA (徳川家斉) who was the 11th shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
In the precincts of this temple, there are a many camellia trees and maple trees.
So, it is known as a famous place of spring camellia and autumn colored leaves.
Information for visitors
・It is only open to the public on specific days in spring and autumn.
■Special admission information (Japanese text only)
Below is the information on the Special admission in spring of 2019.
■Information
Address：12, Shishigatani Goshonodancho, Kyoto Shi Sakyo Ku, Kyoto Fu, 606-8422, Japan
Phone：+81-75-771-4040
Foundation：1654
Founder：Gekko Socho (月江宗澄)
Sect：Rinzai Sect Nanzen-ji School (臨済宗南禅寺派)
Principal image：Nyoirin Kannon (如意輪観音)
■Open
9:00 ~ 16:30
■Admission fee
600 yen (junior high school students or older)
300 yen (elementary age or younger)
■Other Informations
・Photography and video recording are prohibited inside the building of this temple.
・The 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 this temple with me!
Highlights of Reikan-ji
- 表門（Omote-mon Gate）
- 玄関（Genkan）*
- 書院（Sho-in Hall）*
- 庭園（Garden）*
- 本堂（Hon-do Hall）*
- 鎮守社（Chinju-sha Shrine）*
- 如意不動／妙見宮（Myoken-gu Shrine）
This mark 「*」 is a pay area.
表門（Omote-mon Gate）
Omote-mon Gate was built in 1687 of the Edo period.
玄関（Genkan）*
It was relocated to its present location in 1687 when the fomer palace of the Emperor Gosai (後西天皇) was offered to the temple.
It is designated as the designated cultural property of Kyoto Prefecture.
書院（Sho-in Hall）*
It was also relocated to its present location in 1687 when the fomer palace of the Emperor Gosai (後西天皇) was offered to the temple.
It is designated as the designated cultural property of Kyoto Prefecture.
庭園（Garden）*
This garden is called the Chisen garden (Japanese style garden with a central pond and spring) which was made in the mid Edo period.
本堂（Hon-do Hall）*
It was constructed using funds donated by Ienari TOKUGAWA (徳川家斉) who was the 11th shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
It is designated as the designated cultural property of Kyoto Prefecture.
鎮守社（Chinju-sha Shrine）*
A shrine for chinju gami is called a chinju-sha shrine. (Shinto shrine on Buddhist temple grounds dedicated to the tutelary deity of the area)
It is designated as the designated cultural property of Kyoto Prefecture.
如意不動／妙見宮（Myoken-gu Shrine）
Camellias of Reikan-ji
The camellia trees of this temple are in bloom from winter to early spring.
Autumn leaves of Reikan-ji
The best season of autumn leaves are late November to early December.
Video of Reikan-ji
Photos of Reikan-ji
Goshuin (Red ink stamps) of Reikan-ji
Reinkan-ji’s red ink stamp, ‘Nyoirinkanzeon (如意輪観世音)’, honzon (principal image) of this temple.
Reinkan-ji’s red ink stamp (limited-time-only), ‘Chiritsubaki (散椿)’, a state of camellias falling.
How to get to Reikan-ji
The nearest station is Kyoto City Subway Tozai-Line Keage Sta.
However, because the destination is far from the station, we recommend that you get on a bus from Kyoto Sta. or Kawaramachi Sta.
From Osaka Sta. to Keage Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.
2.Change to the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line at Kyoto Station.
3.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Karasuma Oike Station.
4.Change to the Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line at Karasuma Oike Station.
5.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line from Karasuma Oike Station to Keage Station.
From Namba Sta. to Keage Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Osaka Station.
2.Change to the JR Kyoto Line at Osaka Station.
3.Get on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station.
4.Change to the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line at Kyoto Station.
5.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Karasuma Oike Station.
6.Change to the Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line at Karasuma Oike Station.
7.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line from Karasuma Oike Station to Keage Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Keage Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Karasuma Oike Station.
2.Change to the Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line at Karasuma Oike Station.
3.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Tozai Line from Karasuma Oike Station to Keage Station.
Get on a bus from Kyoto Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a bus No.5 (bus stop A1) or No.100 (bus stop D1).
Bus stop you get off is different, please be careful.
[Timetable]Kyoto City Bus No. 5
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No. 5[Bound for Ginkakuji Temple Via Heian-jingu Shrine]
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta. [A1]
Alighting bus stop：Shinnyodo-mae (Shinnyodo Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 39 min
[Timetable]Kyoto City Bus No. 100(Exp.)
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No. 100(Exp.)[Bound for Ginkakuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple]
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta. [D1]
Alighting bus stop：Miyanomaecho
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 32 min
Get on a bus from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a bus No.5 or No.203 (bus stop H).
[Timetable]Kyoto City Bus No. 5
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No. 5[Bound for Ginkakuji Temple Via Heian-jingu Shrine]
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Kawaramachi [H]
Alighting bus stop：Shinnyodo-mae (Shinnyodo Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 21 min
[Timetable]Kyoto City Bus No. 203
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：No. 203 [Bound for Ginkakuji Temple Via Gion]
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Kawaramachi [E]
Alighting bus stop：Shinnyodo-mae (Shinnyodo Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 18 min
From Shinnyodo-mae (Shinnyodo Temple) Bus Stop (on foot)
About 400 meters (8 minutes)
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：4000 yen ~ (about 30 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：4000 yen ~ (about 30 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
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip! XD
