Zuiho-in (瑞峯院) is a temple of the Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect, located in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, and is the tatchu (sub-temple) of Daitoku-ji.
Daitoku-ji is one of the most huge zen-temple in Kyoto, and now it has a total of 24 sub-temples.
Among the sub-temples, those that are generally open to the public are Ryogen-in Temple, Zuiho-in Temple, Daisen-in Temple and Koto-in Temple.
Those sub-temples are small temples but have a distinctive charm that big temple does not have.
In addition, they have a history with the deep relationship with their main-temple.
So, when you go to Daitoku-ji, I recommend that you go to these sub-temples.
Zuiho-in (瑞峯院) has a deep connection to Sorin OTOMO (大友宗麟), one of the most famous Christian Daimyo.
So, it has the rare Karesansui Garden (dry-landscape garden) in which the cross which is the symbol of Christianity is designed with stones.
It is designated as michelin green guide ★.
History of Zuiho-in
Let’s study the history of this sub-temple with me before introducing of Zuiho-in (瑞峯院).
I think that we can enjoy the sightseeing of this sub-temple more by learning the history of it. XD
This temple was founded by Sorin OTOMO (大友宗麟) who was one of the most famous Christian Daimyo in 1533 of the Muromachi period (室町時代).
(Though he was originally devoted to the Zen Buddhism, he developed a keen interest in Christianity later and was finally christened.)
He was one of the most strongest daimyo in the Kyushu region, temporarily suppressing six provinces in Kyushu region.
However, his power declined barely enough to maintain only Bungo Province as a daimyo led by Hideyoshi TOYOTOMI (豊臣秀吉) in his later years after being defeated by Yoshihisa SHIMAZU (島津義久) when the ‘Christian Kingdom’ was about to be built.
Afterwards, he died in June 1587 and this temple became his family temple.
The name Zuiho-in Temple is derived from Sorin’s posthumous Buddhist name ‘Zuihoin Denzuiho Sorin Kyoshi (瑞峯院殿瑞峯宗麟居士).’
Information for visitors
Information
Address：81, Murasakino Daitokujicho, Kita-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 603-8231, Japan
Phone number：+81-75-491-1454
Foundation：1533
Founder：Sorin OTOMO (大友宗麟)
Sect：Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect
Principal image：Wooden statue of Daiman Kokushi (Tesshu Sokyu)
Open
9:00~17:00
Admission fee
| Adults | 400 yen |
| Junior high student or younger | 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 Zuiho-in. XD
Highlights of Zuiho-in
- 表門(重要文化財):Omote-mon gate(Important cultural property)
- 唐門(重要文化財):Kara-mon gate(Important cultural property)
- 庫裏*(Kuri)*
- 方丈(重要文化財)*:Hojo(Important cultural property)*
- 方丈南庭「独座庭」*:South garden ‘Dokuza-tei’*
- 方丈北庭「閑眠庭」*:North garden ‘Kanmin-tei’*
- 方丈中庭「茶庭」*:Courtyard ‘Cha-tei’*
- 餘慶庵(茶室)*:Yokei-an(tea room)*
- 安勝軒(茶室)*:Ansho-ken(tea room)*
- 平成待庵(茶室)*:Heisei-tai-an(tea room)*
This mark ‘*‘ is a pay area.
表門(重要文化財):Omote-mon gate(Important cultural property)
Omote-mon gate was built in 1535 of the Muromachi period.
It is designated as an important cultural property.
唐門(重要文化財):Kara-mon gate(Important cultural property)
Kara-mon gate was built in 1535 of the Muromachi period.
It is designated as an important cultural property.
庫裏*(Kuri)*
Kuri is an inward-facing building that serves as the temple kitchen and office.
方丈(重要文化財)*:Hojo(Important cultural property)*
Hojo was built in 1535 of the Muromachi period, designated as an important cultural property.
Hondo Chokugaku (Imperial scroll pertaining to the main hall) was written by Emperor Go-Nara (後奈良天皇).
方丈南庭「独座庭」*:South garden ‘Dokuza-tei’*
The garden in front of the Hojo (Mail temple) is called Dokuza-tei garden (独坐庭).
This garden’s name comes from a Zen-Buddhist terminology ‘Dokuzadaiyuho (独坐大雄峰)’.
Stones expresse Mt. Horai, and white sand expresses the sea.
方丈北庭「閑眠庭」*:North garden ‘Kanmin-tei’*
Back side garden of hojo is called Kanmin-tei (閑眠庭).
This garden’s name comes from a Zen-Buddhist terminology ‘kamminkogashite-aoyamanitaisu (閑眠高臥對青山)’.
A unique garden brimming with the memory of Christian Daimyo Sorin OTOMO and featuring a seven stone arrangement in which a hidden crucifix becomes visible when viewed from a certain angle.
方丈中庭「茶庭」*:Courtyard ‘Cha-tei’*
Courtyard of hojo is called Cha-tei (茶庭).
Garden lantern in the center of this garden is called a Christian garden lantern.
餘慶庵(茶室)*:Yokei-an(tea room)*
It is a tea-ceremony room called Yokei-an (餘慶庵).
安勝軒(茶室)*:Ansho-ken(tea room)*
It is a tea-ceremony room called Ansho-ken (安勝軒).
Video of Zuiho-in
Photos of Zuiho-in
Goshuin (Red ink stamp) of Zuiho-in
Goshuin of this temple is Zen-Buddhist terminology ‘Dokuzadaiyuho (独坐大雄峰)’.
It means ‘I am grateful for that I am able to live and sit every day.’
How to get to Zuiho-in
It is located in the precincts of Daitoku-ji.
Nearest station is Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line Kitaoji Station.
We can also go by bus from JR Kyoto Station.
From Osaka 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 Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line.
2.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Kitaoji Station.
From Namba 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 Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line.
3.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Kitaoji Station.
From Kyoto Sta. (by train)
Timetable and Route Search (train)
1.Get on the Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station to Kitaoji Station.
From Kitaoji Sta. (on foot)
It’s about 25 minutes (1.3 km) on foot.
Get on a bus from Kitaoji Sta.
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Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.204 (Kitaoji Bus Terminal [G]) and get off Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：204/Bound for Kinkakuji Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kitaoji Bus Terminal [G]
Alighting bus stop：Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 5 min
Get on a bus from Kyoto Sta.
Timetable and Route Search (bus)
Please get on a Kyoto City Bus No.206 (Kyoto Sta. [A3]) and get off Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple).
Bus company：Kyoto City Bus
Routes/Destination：206/Bound for Kitaoji Bus Terminal Via Daitokuji Temple
Boarding bus stop：Kyoto Sta. [A3]
Alighting bus stop：Daitokuji-mae (Daitokuji Temple)
Bus fare：230 yen
Time required：About 35 min
Take a taxi
From Kyoto Station：About 3,200 yen (20 minutes)
From Gion-Shijo Station：About 3,000 yen (20 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 around Zuiho-in
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip!
