The temple was founded in 796 (Enryaku 15), two years after the transfer of the capital to Heian by Emperor Kammu, by the national government as a temple for national protection.
It is also known as a famous place for autumn leaves, and the contrast between the red and yellow trees and the five-storied pagoda is a must-see. During special visits at night, the precincts are lit up, and you can enjoy a fantastic scenery that is different from the daytime.

The park was opened in 1995 to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of the founding of the Heian Capital. The park is dotted with spots where visitors can enjoy a rich natural environment that one would not expect to find in the center of an urban area, including a lawn and a Japanese garden, Suzaku-no-niwa.
Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Suzaku Garden and the riverside playground while admiring the tree-lined avenues of autumn leaves.

The temple was originally built in 1052 by Fujiwara no Yorimichi, who converted Uji-den, the villa of his father Fujiwara no Michinaga, into a temple. The main statue, a seated Amida Nyorai (Amitabha Nyorai) by Sadacho, a Buddhist priest who established the Yosegi-zukuri technique, is known as a representative masterpiece of Japanese-style sculpture.
During the fall foliage season, the maple trees along the Aza-ike Pond in front of the Phoenix Hall change color and are reflected on the water surface along with the Phoenix Hall, creating a beautiful scene.

The origin of the temple is a pagoda that was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1379 to commemorate the founding of Hodan-ji Temple. Hodan-ji Temple was abolished during the Onin War, but Rikao-in Temple is believed to be the only one that survived.
The dry landscape garden with Arashiyama in the background, which can be seen from the reception hall rebuilt in the Meiji period, is a must-see. The interior of the reception hall is decorated with fusuma paintings with the theme of oak leaf veins completed in April 2020, which is also a must-see.

Nomiya Shrine, known as the god of marriage, is a shrine with a long history that was described in the Tale of Genji. Visitors can feel the elegance of the Heian period when they visit the shrine grounds surrounded by a black wooden torii gate and a small bush fence.
In autumn, the sky is decorated with maple trees, which contrast fantastically with the black wooden torii gate. One can recall the autumn foliage viewing that must have been enjoyed by the aristocrats of the Heian period (794-1192).