Shobo-ji Temple, located in Saikyo Ward, Kyoto City, is a temple of the To-ji school of the Shingon sect.
Because there are many huge stones in the precincts and the garden of this temple, is also called ‘the rock temple’
In addition, the Karesansui (dry landscape) garden of this temple is a superb view.
Shoden-ji Temple is famous for the Karesansui (dry landscape) garden of the superb view, but this garden is also beautiful equally.
In addition, there is Shouji-ji Temple which is famous as the Temple of Flowers and Oharano-jinja Shrine which is famous for autumn leaves in near this temple.
Contents:
- About Shobo-ji Temple
- Highlights of Shobo-ji Temple
- Goshuin of Shobo-ji Temple
- How to get to Shobo-ji Temple
1.About Shobo-ji Temple
Open：9:00~17:00
Admission Fee：300 yen(Junior high school student or older), 100 yen(Elementary school student)
Address：1102, Oharano Minamikasugacho, Nishikyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 610-1153, Japan
Phone Number：+81-75-331-0105
Foundation：754 years
Founder：Chii Daitoku
Sect：To-ji school of the Shingon sect
Principal image：Senju Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy with a 1000 arms)
Shobo-ji Temple, located in Saikyo Ward, Kyoto City, is a temple of the To-ji school of the Shingon sect.
It is said that Chii Daitoku who was a disciple of Ganjin (Jianzhen) founded this temple in 754.
In addition, it is said that Kobo Daishi ‘Kukai’ who is an initiator of the Shingon sect also trained himself in this temple.
(Kukai carved the statue of Sho Kannon which is enshrined in Hon-do hall of this temple.)
Because there are many huge stones in the precincts and the garden of this temple, is also called ‘the rock temple‘
Next, let’s watch the highlight of Shobo-ji Temple!!
2.Highlights of Shobo-ji Temple
- 極楽橋:(Gokuraku-bashi Bridge)
- 山門:Sanmon gate (Temple gate)
- 本堂:Hon-do hall (Main temple)
- 本堂前庭:Front garden of Hon-do
- 宝生苑(鳥獣の石庭):Hojo-en Garden(Rock garden of the birds and animals)
- 子育水子不動尊:Guardian deity for the spirits of aborted children
- 春日不動尊:Kasuga Fudo-son
- 遍照塔:Henjo-to Pagoda
●極楽橋:(Gokuraku-bashi Bridge)
This is Gokuraku-bashi Bridge in the entrance of the approach to a temple.
Near this bridge, autumn colors are very beautiful in the autumn.
●山門:Sanmon gate (Temple gate)
This is Sanmon gate (Temple gate).
●本堂:Hon-do hall(Main temple)
This is Hon-do hall(Main temple) where the Statue of the thousand-armed Kannon of the principal idol is enshrined.
The Statue of the thousand-armed Kannon having three faces is very rare.
●本堂前庭:Front garden of Hon-do hall
This is front garden of the Hon-do hall.
It is the Karesansui (dry landscape) garden where a big stone is outstanding very much.
It is very beautiful.
●宝生苑(鳥獣の石庭):Hojo-en Garden(Rock garden of the birds and animals)
This is another garden of this temple called Hojo-en Garden(Rock garden of the birds and animals).
A big cherry tree is planted in the center of this garden.
And this garden has a view of the higashiyama mountain range of Kyoto as its background.
Because the stone of this garden has a shape of various animals and birds, it is also called ‘Rock garden of the birds and animals’
16 kinds of animals and birds hide in this garden. Let’s look for it!!
●子育水子不動尊:Guardian deity for the spirits of aborted children
This is Guardian deity for the spirits of aborted children.
●春日不動尊:Kasuga Fudo-son
This is Kasuga Fudo-son.
Fudo Myoo(Acala) and Aizen Myoo(Rāgarāja) are enshrined in this building.
●遍照塔:Henjo-to Pagoda
This is Henjo-to Pagoda.
This tower was in Kodai-ji Temple in the old days, but was rebuilt in this temple in 2007.
3.Goshuin of Shobo-ji Temple
This Temple’s Sumigaki(The words which was written with a sumi(black ink)) is “大悲殿(Daihiden)” which is the another name of principal image of this temple.
4.How to get to Shobo-ji Temple
The nearest station of Shobo-ji Temple is “Hankyu Higashi-Muko Station” or “JR Mukomachi Station”.
■Route Example (From Osaka Station)
■Route Example (From Namba Station)
■Route Example (From Kyoto Station)
■Hankyu Higashi-Muko Station→Shobo-ji Temple
We go by bus from Hankyu Higashi-Muko Sta. to Shobo-ji Temple.
(There is more than 5 km from the station to the destination.)
Timetable and Route Search of bus
①When you get on a bus from Hankyu Higashi-Muko Station
[Timetable]Route No.63･65
Bus company：Hankyu Bus
Routes/Destination：No.63･65[for Minami kasugacho･Rakusai Bus Terminal]
Boarding bus stop：Hankyu Higashimuko[Bus stop No.1]
Alighting bus stop：Minami kasugacho
Bus fare：280 yen
Time required：About 20 min
①When you get on a bus from JR Mukomachi Station
[Timetable]Route No.63･65
Bus company：Hankyu Bus
Routes/Destination：No.63･65[for Minami kasugacho･Rakusai Bus Terminal]
Boarding bus stop：JR Mukomachi[Bus stop No.2]
Alighting bus stop：Minami kasugacho
Bus fare：280 yen
Time required：About 25 min
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Have a nice trip! XD
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I really appreciate the efforts you have made and dedication you have shown to document and photograph so many temples in Kyoto. Most of these temples are not well known and yours is the only good information I can find.
Thank you!