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2025.6.30
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Kozanji Temple

Japanese culture at Kozanji Temple in Tsugao, a place associated with Shonin Myoe

Kozan-ji Temple is famous for its world heritage sites, national treasures, and caricatures of animals and animals, but I would like to mention Myoe Shonin, who revived the temple in the Kamakura period.

1.The charm of Kozanji

仏教の開祖・釈迦への信仰が厚く、釈迦如来像に宛ててラブレターを書いたといわれる明恵上人。その信仰ゆえに右耳を切り落としたことも。また多くの人から慕われ、その1人後鳥羽上皇からは勅額「日出先照高山之寺」が贈られ、高山寺の寺号を賜った。高山寺は学問寺として発展し、現在も国宝・重要文化財1万点余りが伝わる。 上人が説いた「阿留辺畿夜宇和」は、北条氏が御成敗式目を制定する際に参考にしたと言われる。自然豊かなこの地で、日本の歴史に大きく影響を与えた明恵上人を感じたい。
Kozanji Temple

2.Animals and children whom Myoe respected

Kozanji Temple

Inside the Sekisui-in Temple, a statue of Zenzai Doji, which Myoe respected and loved, and a portrait of Myoe (reproduction) are displayed. The portrait painted by a disciple depicts Myoe Shonin training in the mountains of Toganoo. If you look closely, you can also see animals such as birds and squirrels on the painting, which is a good representation of the animal-loving Shonin's personality.

3.National Treasure Sekisui-in, where the appearance of the Kamakura period remains

Kozanji Temple

blue maple in summer

The only existing building that Myoe Shonin actually used. Shinden-zukuri from the Kamakura period is a very rare building, and you can see the scenery of Mt. The actual plaque ``Hinode Senthou Kozan no ji'' given by the Retired Emperor Gotoba is on display.

4.The birthplace of Japanese tea culture

Kozanji Temple
Kozanji Temple

It is said that Japanese tea culture began when Eisai Zenji brought back tea seeds from China and gave them to Myoe Shonin, who planted them here. Toganoo's tea was called honcha, and the others were called non-cha. This tea was introduced to Uji and spread to various places.
また、石水院隣の呈茶席では抹茶1000円をいただくこともできる。

5.Animal-loving Myoe Shonin's Choju-giga

Kozanji Temple

Choju caricatures are also drawn on tea tickets and sweets at the tea ceremony

Anthropomorphic animals such as rabbits and frogs are comically depicted in picture scrolls that are said to be the origin of manga. A replica is always on display in Sekisui-in. It is a picture scroll that has been handed down because it is a temple of Myoe Shonin who loved animals deeply.

6.Hand-made stone walls from the Kamakura period

Kozanji Temple
Kozanji Temple

The stone walls that remain throughout the precincts were built by hand during the Kamakura period. A valuable historical site that remains even after hundreds of years. The stairs leading up to the temple are also from those days, and we can touch the stone wall that Myoe Shonin touched, and we can feel the connection of history. In autumn, the contrast between autumn leaves and green trees is beautiful.

Autumn leaves season information

  • Best time to see/usually mid-November to early December
    A separate admission fee of 500 yen is required for the fall season.
    *Seoksuin 1,000 yen is required separately.

Kozanji Temple

  • Kosanji
  • 8 Umegahata Toganocho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 1 minute walk from Toganoo bus stop
  • Tel.075-861-4204
  • 50 parking lots (charged only in autumn)
  • https://www.instagram.com/kosanji_temple/
  • https://kosanji.com/

  • [Normal visit]
    Visiting hours/8:30-17:00
    Entrance fee/free (except autumn)
    Seoksuin Temple entrance fee/1,000 yen

    PHOTO / Takahiro Takami (green maple), Katsuyuki Hatanaka (autumn leaves)
    TEXT / Maho Nomura
    *Photographed with special permission
The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
※内容の誤りや閉店情報などお気づきの点がございましたら、info@leafkyoto.co.jp までお知らせください。
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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