Reiun-in (霊雲院) is a temple of the Tofuku-ji school of the Rinzai sect, located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, and is one of a tatchu (sub-temple) of Tofuku-ji.
Tofuku-ji is the fourth grade of Kyoto Gozan (Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto), and it has a total of 25 sub-temples.
Highlight of this temple is ‘Karesansui gardens (Japanese rock gardens)‘ which were designed by Mirei SHIGEMORI (重森三玲) who was a leading Japanese garden designer in the Showa period.
History of Reiun-in
Let’s study the history of this sub-temple with me before introducing of Reiun-in (霊雲院).
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this sub-temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Reiun-in was founded in 1390 of the Muromachi period by Hoshu KIYO (岐陽方秀) who was the 80th chief priest of Tofuku-ji.
Because his Buddhist name was ‘Funin-donin (不二道人)’, this temple was called ‘Funin-an (不二庵)’ when it was founded.
In 1473 of the Muromachi period, it was changed to the name called “Reiun-in (霊雲院)” which is the current name.
‘Reiun (霊雲)’ has the meaning of the ‘holy cloud.’
In addition, this temple is also the place where Takamori SAIGO (西郷隆盛) held a secret meeting in the Meiji Restoration (明治維新) and was used as a Russian POW camp during the Russo-Japanese War.
This temple is small but had a very important role in history of Japan.
About Reiun-in
Information
Address：15-801, Hommachi, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 605-0981, Japan
Phone number：075-561-4080
Foundation：1390
Founder：Hoshu KIYO (岐陽方秀)
Sect：Tofuku-ji school of the Rinzai sect
Principal image：Monju Bosatsu(文殊菩薩:Manjushri)
Open
10:00 ~ 14:00 (It is subject to change without notice.)
Admission fee
| 16 years old or older | 500 yen |
| 13 – 15 years old | 300 yen |
| 12 years old or younger | No admittance |
Other information
･It does not have a fixed schedule.
・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 Reiun-in
- 表門:Omote-mon gate
- 書院*:Shoin*
- 九山八海の庭*:Kusen-hakkai-no-niwa (garden)*
- 遺愛石*:Iai-seki (stone)*
- 臥雲の庭*:Gaun-no-niwa garden*
- 観月亭 (茶室)*:Kangetsu-tei (Tea house)*
- 観月亭前庭*:The front garden of Kangetsu-tei*
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
表門:Omote-mon gate
This is Omote-mon gate which has the role as a entrance of this temple.
書院*:Shoin*
Shoin has the role as a study hall.
Study room where a secret meeting was held is left in this building.
And the remains which a Russian captive left are displayed in this building.
九山八海の庭*:Kusen-hakkai-no-niwa (garden)*
This is the Karesansui garden (Japanese rock garden) named ‘Kusen-hakkai-no-niwa.’
This garden was made in the middle of Edo period, but went to ruin afterwards.
So, it was rebuilt in 1970 of the Showa period by Mirei SHIGEMORI (重森三玲).
‘Kusen-hakkai (九山八海)’ is one of the views of the world of the Buddhism.
It means nine mountains (九山) and eight seas (八海) surrounding Mt. Sumeru which Taishakuten (Sakra) lives in.
‘Iaiseki (stone)’ put in the center of the garden expresses Mt. Sumeru.
And many rocks and the white sand which covers this garden expresses nine mountains and eight seas.
Scenery of the garden to look at from the building of this temple is very beautiful.
遺愛石*:Iai-seki (stone)*
This is the Iai-seki (stone) which is the most important treasure of this temple.
It is put in the center of the garden and expresses Mt. Sumeru.
臥雲の庭*:Gaun-no-niwa garden*
This is the Karesansui garden (Japanese rock garden) named ‘Gaun-no-niwa‘ which is located in the west of the Shoin.
This garden was also built in 1971 of the Showa period by Mirei SHIGEMORI (重森三玲).
‘Gaun (臥雲)’ has a meaning of ‘the clouds float freely.’
It expresses a sea of clouds with white sand and red sand well.
観月亭 (茶室)*:Kangetsu-tei (Tea house)*
This is Kangetsu-tei which has a role of the tea house.
観月亭前庭*:The front garden of Kangetsu-tei*
Front garden of Kangetsu-tei is very small but beautiful garden which features white sand, moss.
Photos of Reiun-in
Video of Reiun-in
Goshuin (red ink stamp) of Reiun-in
Goshuin of this temple is “Monju Bosatsu(文殊菩薩:Manjushri)” which is the principal image of this temple.
We can get it in the reception desk of the entrance. (300 yen)
How to get to Reiun-in
Nearest station is JR/Keihan Tofuku-ji Station.
We can also go by bus from ‘Kyoto Station’, ‘Kyoto Kawaramachi Station’, and ‘Keihan Gion-Shijo Station’.
From Osaka Sta. to Tofukuji 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 JR Nara Line.
2.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Namba Sta. to Tofukuji 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 JR Nara Line.
3.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Tofukuji Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station.
From Tofuku-ji Station (on foot)
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It’s about 15 minutes (700m) on foot.
From Kyoto Sta. (by bus)
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.208 from Kyoto Sta.[D2] bus stop and get off Tofukuji (Tofukuji Temple) bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：208/Bound for Tofukuji Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta.[D2]
Alighting bus stop：Tofukuji
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 16 min
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.South-5 from Kyoto Sta.[C4] bus stop and get off Tofukuji-michi bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：South-5/Bound for Takeda Sta. Via Inari-taisha Shrine
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta.[C4]
Alighting bus stop：Tofukuji-michi
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 11 min
From Kyoto Kawaramachi Sta. (by bus)
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.207 from Shijo Kawaramachi [E] bus stop and get off Tofukuji (Tofukuji Temple) bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：207/Bound for Tofukuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Kawaramachi [E]
Alighting bus stop：Tofukuji
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 20 min
From Gion-shijo Sta. (by bus)
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.207 from Shijo Keihan-mae [2] bus stop and get off Tofukuji (Tofukuji Temple) bus stop.
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：207/Bound for Tofukuji Temple Via Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Keihan-mae[2]
Alighting bus stop：Tofukuji
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 18 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 1,500 yen (10 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：about 1,700 yen (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 Reiun-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
