Zuiganzan Enkouji Temple

4.5

A Rinzai Nanzen-ji Buddhist temple located in the Ichijo-ji area of Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. The temple was erected in 1601 by Sanyo Genkitsu (Kanshitsu), Zen priest and ninth head of the Ashikaga Gakko school, who was asked to do so by Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to promote education and learning in the nation. The beauty of the temple’s garden, a traditional strolling garden built around a central pond, is said to have been much praised by ancient people, and is still a must-see today. The garden is filled with sights, including a traditional Suikinkutsu (ceramic pot under the ground) said to purify the soul with the clear sound of the water dripping into it; “Honryutei,” a dry landscape garden; and the “Jyu-gyu no niwa” Garden, famed for its moss and autumn foliage. The temple was also the site where the Fushimi-ban, one of Japan’s first printed books, was created, and the roughly 50 thousand wooden printing type used to make the book kept at the temple are designated an Important Cultural Property as Japan’s oldest printed type.

Spot details

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Ichijoujikotanichou 13 Map
Area: Ichijo-ji Temple / Shugakuin Area
Phone: 0757818025
Hours: 9:00-17:00
[2023/11/11-12/3]8:00-17:00 (reservation required)
Fees: [Admission fee to worship]
[Adult] 500yen
[High/Junior High School Students] 400yen
[Elementary School Students] 300yen

[Admission fee to worship (11/15-12/10)]
[Adult] 1,000 yen
[High/Medium/Elementary School Students] 500yen
Parking Lot: Available(30spaces)

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Articles about this spot

Itineraries about this spot

18 days: Chiba, Aichi, Gifu, Kyoto, Hyogo, Osaka, Nara, Tokyo, Kanagawa

18 day(s)

Review

Very cute temple with very cute small statues

Reviewed : 2020.03.22

Its a hidden gem. You need to take the metro, a bus and walk for 15-20min to get there. But its worth. Tranquility, serenity.. and very small statues, very cute. They close at 5pm (in July)
One of the temples around Shogaku-in Villa

Reviewed : 2019.12.01

I was lucky enough to have a chance to visit Shugaku-in Villa. On the occasion, I visited some temples around the villa, and Enko-ji Temple was one of them.Have you ever seen Ten Ox Herding...
Amazing autumn colours with considerably less crowds

Reviewed : 2019.11.30

Nestled near ichijioji, this is one of the most amazing spots for autumn colours with less crowd.The fall colours in the garden and the small hill ( amazing view of Kyoto) is second to none. It is...