Shoju-in Temple is a temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect located in Ujitawara-cho, Tsuzuki-gun, Kyoto Prefecture.
There is the famous heart-shaped window called Inome-window in the reception hall.
And Wind-bell Festival is held in the precincts every year from July to mid-September.
So, this temple is also called the temple of the Wind-bell.
You should go there!
History of Shoju-in
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 said that this temple was built 800 years ago, and the principal image is eleven-faced Kannon.
But, the temple buildings were destroyed by fire during the period of the Sengoku period (period of warring states).
Later, it was reconstructed in 1596 of the Azuchi-momoyama period by Yuin Daitoku (祐胤大徳) who was the first chief priest of this temple.
Inome-window
There is the heart-shaped window called Inome-window in the reception hall.
Why will this window have a shape of the heart?
There are two reasons for it.
The first reason is ‘Because the face of the wild boar has a shape of the heart’.
Inome has the meaning of the eyes of the wild boar in Japanese.
The wild boar was a symbol of the talismans against evil in Japan from old days.
So, it is said that this window was shaped like a wild boar’s face.
The second reason is ‘Because Ujitawara Town which is the place of this temple also has a shape of the heart’.
Information for visitors
Website
Information
Address：Kawakami149, Okuyamada, Tsuzuki Gun Ujitawara Cho, Kyoto Fu, 610-0211, Japan
Phone：+81-774-88-3601
Foundation：Kamakura period
Founder：unknown
Sect：Koyasan Shingon sect (高野山真言宗)
Principal image：Juichimen Kannon (十一面観音)
■Open
| April – October | 9:00 – 16:30 |
| November – March | 9:00 – 16:00 |
■Admission Fee
It depends on the period.
■Parking lot
Free
■Other information
Please ask temple’s staff where you can take photos and videos.
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 Shoju-in
- 本堂*:Hon-do hall*
- 風鈴祭り:Wind-bell Festival
- 境内:Precincts of the temple
- 地蔵堂:Jozo-do hall
- 客殿*:Kyakuden (guest hall)*
- 猪目窓*:Inome window*
- 天井画*:Ceiling paintings*
- 客殿庭園*:Kyaku-den garden*
This mark 「*」 is a pay area.
本堂*:Hon-do hall*
風鈴祭り:Wind-bell Festival
Wind-bell Festival is held in the precincts every year from July to mid-September.
境内:Precincts of the temple
地蔵堂:Jozo-do hall
客殿*:Kyakuden (guest hall)*
猪目窓*:Inome window*
天井画*:Ceiling paintings*
160 pieces of ceiling paintings are drawn on the ceiling of the reception hall.
These were drawn by about 90 modern Japanese painters.
客殿庭園*:Kyaku-den garden*
The Japanese garden of the reception hall is the dry landscape Japanese garden where moss and white sand are beautiful.
Video of Shoju-in
Photo of Shiju-in
Goshuin (Red ink stamps)
Tentoku-in’s red ink stamp (goshuin) , ‘Kanzeon (観世音)’.
Kanzeon is an abbreviated designation of the Juichimen Kannon which is the principal image of this temple.
How to get to Shoju-in
Because there is this temple in the middle of a mountain of Kyoto, transport there is very inconvenient.
At first, you have to go to Uji Station (Keihan Railway or JR) of the neighborhood station of this temple.
From Osaka Sta. to Uji 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 JR Nara Line at Kyoto Station.
3.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Uji Station.
From Namba Sta. to Uji Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Namba Station to Yodoyabashi Station.
2.Change to the Keihan Railway at Yodoyabashi Station.
3.Get on a Limited express of the Keihan Railway from Yodoyabashi to Chushojima Station.
4.Change to the Keihan Uji Line at Chushojima Station.
5.Get on the Keihan Uji Line from Chushojima to Uji Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Uji Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Uji Station.
Please take a taxi from Uji Station to Shoju-in.
The taxi fare is about 5500 yen (one way).
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 company (around Uji Station) *Japanese text only.
Hotel search & reservation
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip! XD
