In ancient times, there was a Zen training monastery here, but it was destroyed in a war. In the Muromachi Period (1336-1573), the Buddhist priest and Zen master Ikkyu Sojun restored it. He is widely known in Japan for his wit and wisdom, and is the subject of various fun stories.
The temple is also known for its beautiful Shuon’an Rock Gardens that are designated as a Place of Scenic Beauty. It includes the Hojo Garden that consists of the north, east, and south gardens. Each garden has its own distinctive features and is a superb example of karesansui (traditional Japanese Zen rock garden). Also, the temple houses 9 Important Cultural Properties such as the main hall, the abbot’s hall and the seated Ikkyu Osho statue.
At the temple, visitors can enjoy traditional Shojin Ryori (Buddhist Vegetarian Cuisine), as Japanese Buddhist monks have had for centuries. There are options from tenshin (a light meal) to Makunouchi (a popular type of Japanese boxed meals) and Honzen (a classic multi-course meal). This temple’s signature, fermented soybeans called Ikkyuji Natto, is interesting, too. It is popular for its rich, unique flavor, and many visitors purchase it to bring home. Traditionally, making Ikkyuji Natto is one of the tasks for the temple’s incumbent chief priest.
- Tel
- 0774-62-0193
- Address
- 102 Takigi Satonouchi, Kyotanabe City, Kyoto
- Access
- About 20 min. on foot from Kyōtanabe Station (JR Gakkentoshi Line)
About 25 min. on foot from Shin-Tanabe Station (Kintetsu Kyoto Line) - Business Hours
- 9:00am - 5:00pm (Treasury House: 9:30am - 4:30pm)
Closed
Open year-round
- Price
- General: 600 yen
High school students: 300 yen
Junior high school students: 300 yen
Elementary school students: 200 yen
Adult groups of 30 or more: 500 yen
- Parking
- Available
-Regular-sized car: 500 yen
-Small and medium-sized bus: 700 yen
-Large bus: 1,000 yen
