Yotoku-in (養徳院) is one of the sub-temples (塔頭:tatchu) of Myoshin-ji (妙心寺) which is located in Hanazono, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City.
Myoshin-ji is the biggest Zen temple in Japan, and it has a total of 48 sub-temples.
Yotoku-in is also one of these sub-temples.
Among those sub-temples, only Keishun-in, Taizo-in, and Daishin-in are open to the public on a regular basis.
Yotoku-in is only open to the public on specific days (not fixed).
History of Yotoku-in
Let’s study the history of this sub-temple with me before introducing of Yotoku-in (養徳院).
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this sub-temple more by learning the history of it. XD
Yotoku-in was founded in 1583 of the Azuchi-Momoyama period by Mitsushige ISHIKAWA (石川光茂) who was a busho (a Japanese military commander) of the Owari Domain (尾張藩).
He served Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI (豊臣秀吉) who was making progress towards unifying the country.
He founded Yotoku-in to pray for the repose of his father’s soul.
So, this temple is also one of the family temple of ISHIKAWA clan.
When the foundation of this temple, he invited Kotaku Sokun (功沢宗勲) who was the chief priest of Myoshin-ji as founding priest.
About Yotoku-in
It is only open to the public on specific days (not fixed).
■Special admission information (Japanese text only)
Below is the information on “Special admission in the winter of 2017”.
Information
Address：53, Hanazono Myoshinjicho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 616-8035, Japan
Phone number：+81-75-463-3121 (Myoshin-ji)
Foundation：1583
Founder：Mitsushige ISHIKAWA (石川光茂)
Sect：Rinzai sect Myoshin-ji School (臨済宗妙心寺派)
Principal image：Shakamuni-butsu (釈迦牟尼仏)
Open
10:00~16:00
Admission Fee
| Adults | 600 yen |
| Children | 300 yen |
Other information
・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 Yotoku-in
- 表門:Omote-mon gate
- 本堂*:Hon-do hall*
- 枯山水庭園*:Karesansui garden*
- 十三重石塔*:Thirteen-storied pagoda*
- 石川家墓所*:Grave of the Ishikawa family*
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
表門:Omote-mon gate
本堂*:Hon-do hall*
It was rebuilt in 1859 of the Edo period.
Hanging scroll (掛軸) which was written by Ranshuku Genshu (蘭叔玄秀) who was one of the priest of the Zen Buddhism in the Azuchi-Momoyama period is displayed in this building.
In addition, ‘Taka-no-zu (hanging scroll of the hawk picture)’ which was drawn by Chokuan SOGA (曽我直庵) who is a painter in the Momoyama period is displayed in a back room of Hon-do.
枯山水庭園*:Karesansui garden*
十三重石塔*:Thirteen-storied pagoda*
Odd number is a lucky number in Japan from old days.
So, number of the hierarchy of the buddhist tower (pagoda) is always the odd number like a five-storied pagoda and a three-storied pagoda.
石川家墓所*:Grave of the Ishikawa family*
Because it is one of the family temple of ISHIKAWA clan, there is the grave of the Ishikawa family in the precincts of this temple.
Photos of Yotoku-in
Goshuin (red ink stamp) of Yotoku-in
Goshuin of this temple is “Shakamuni-butsu (釈迦牟尼仏)” 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 Yotoku-in
Yotoku-in is in the precincts of the Myoshin-ji.
Nearest station is JR Hanazono Station or Randen Kitano Line Myoshin-ji Station.
We can also go by bus from ‘JR Kyoto Station’, ‘Hankyu Kawaramachi Station’, and ‘Keihan Gion-Shijo Station’.
From Osaka Sta. to Hanazono 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 Sagano Line.
2.Get on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Hanazono Station.
From Namba Sta. to Hanazono 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 Sagano Line.
3.Get on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Hanazono Station.
From Kyoto Sta. to Hanazono Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Hanazono Station.
From JR Hanazono Station (on foot)
It’s about 6 minutes (400m) on foot.
From Myoshinji Station (on foot)
It’s about 5 minutes (300m) on foot.
Get on a bus from JR Kyoto Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.26 (Kyoto Sta.[D3]) and get off Myoshinji Kitamon-mae (Myoshinji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：26/Bound for Omuro Ninnaji Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta.[D3]
Alighting bus stop：Myoshinji Kitamon-mae (Myoshinji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Get on a bus from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.10 (Shijo Kawaramachi [A]) and get off Myoshinji Kitamon-mae (Myoshinji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：10/Bound for Kitano-tenmangu Shrine
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Kawaramachi [A]
Alighting bus stop：Myoshinji Kitamon-mae (Myoshinji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 43 min
Get on a bus from Gion-Shijo Station
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.10 (Shijo Keihan-mae [C]) and get off Myoshinji Kitamon-mae (Myoshinji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：10/Bound for Kitano-tenmangu Shrine
Boarding bus stop：Shijo Keihan-mae [C]
Alighting bus stop：Myoshinji Kitamon-mae (Myoshinji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 40 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：about 3,000 yen (20 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：about 2,800 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 Yotoku-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
