Komyo-in Temple: A Zen Garden Retreat

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Discover tranquility at Komyo-in Temple in Kyoto, a serene Zen garden escape and sub-temple of Tofuku-ji, showcasing minimalist beauty and rich history.

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Komyo-in Temple

Komyo-in Temple, a sub-temple of Tofuku-ji, offers a serene escape in Kyoto with its meticulously designed Zen gardens. Founded in 1391 and revitalized in the 20th century, it's a hidden gem known for its tranquil atmosphere and stunning 'Hashin-no-Niwa' dry landscape garden.

A brief summary to Komyo-in Temple

15 Chome-809 Honmachi, Kyoto, 15 Chome Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0981, JP
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Monday 7 am-5 pm
Tuesday 7 am-5 pm
Wednesday 7 am-5 pm
Thursday 7 am-5 pm
Friday 7 am-5 pm
Saturday 7 am-5 pm
Sunday 7 am-5 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Komyo-in Temple.

Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and experience the temple's peaceful atmosphere.
Take your time to explore the gardens; each season offers a unique display of natural beauty.
Pay your respects to Marishiten, the guardian deity of victory, in the front courtyard.

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Getting There

Walking

From Tofukuji Station on the JR Keihan Line, walk south for about 10 minutes. Komyo-in Temple is located near Fushimi Inari Shrine. The path is straightforward, but referencing a map can be helpful. Admission to the temple is 300 yen, which you pay via the honor system into a bamboo slot.
Public Transport

Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station. From there, it is approximately a 10-minute walk to Komyo-in Temple. The train fare from Kyoto Station to Tofukuji Station is approximately 140-200 yen.

Discover more about Komyo-in Temple

Komyo-in Temple, nestled in Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, is a sub-temple of the larger Tofuku-ji Temple, offering a tranquil retreat from the city's bustle. Founded in 1391 by Kinzan Minsho, it was later revived in 1911. The temple is celebrated for its stunning Zen gardens, particularly the 'Hashin-no-Niwa' (Garden of the Heart's Reflection), designed in 1939 by the renowned landscape architect Shigemori Mirei. The 'Hashin-no-Niwa' is a karesansui, or dry landscape garden, featuring carefully arranged rocks, moss, and white sand to evoke a sense of peace and harmony. The garden incorporates 75 stones that represent the light emitted from the Buddha. Three prominent stone arrangements symbolize the Shaka, Yakushi, and Amida Buddha triads. Mirei also designed the Ragetsu-an teahouse, which appears as the moon rising in the eastern sky when viewed from the Hashin-no-Niwa garden. The temple is also known as 'Niji no Kokedera' or Rainbow Moss Temple, because of the moss's beauty during the cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. Visitors can explore interconnected rooms that offer unique perspectives of the garden. The principal image enshrined in the Main Hall is a gilded statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Komyo-in provides a space for quiet contemplation and an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Zen Buddhist aesthetics.