Myokian, located in the Otokuni Bamboo Grove area of Kyoto Prefecture, is the branch temple of the Tofukuji school of Rinsai Buddhism which was built between 1492 and 1501 during the Muromachi period.
The temple is famous for its tea room called “Taian” which is the only existing tea room that is said to have been made by Sen no Rikyu, the founder of Japanese tea ceremony, and is designated as a national treasure. In 1582, there was a battle between Hideyoshi Hashiba (Toyotomi) and Mitsuhide Akechi. After his victory, Hideyoshi built a castle on the summit of Mt. Tenno and it is said that he lived for a while and invited Sen no Rikyu to build several tea rooms in the area.
The building is gabled and has a thatched roof. The room is only 2 tatami mats (approx. 3m2), which is different from standard of 4 and a half tatami mats at that time. It was also the first tea room with a small entrance and exit for customers, or “Nijiriguchi”, and was the origin of one of the Japanese architectural styles called "Sukiya-zukuri," thus influencing many later tea rooms.
- Address
- 〒618-0071
56 Oyamazaki Ryuko, Ōyamazaki, Otokuni District, Kyoto - Access
- Train: Next to "Yamazaki" station on the JR Kyoto line.
Get off at "Oyamazaki" station on the Hankyu Kyoto line and walk for 5 minutes.
Car: 20 minutes by car from the Meishin Expressway "Oyamazaki IC (*attached to Keiji Bypass "Oyamazaki JCT ") - Business Hours
- Open only in the Mornings *Reservation is required at least one month before date of visit.
Closed Mondays, Wednesday, and for the New Year's holiday (12/20 - 1/15) - Price
- Adult: 1000 yen *University Students and Up
*Not available for high school students and under - Parking
- Not available
*Please use nearby paid parking.