Kozanji Temple

Map

History & Origins

The temple is said to have been founded in 774 (the 5th year of Hoki), but it is said to have been revived in 1206 (the 1st year of Kennin) in the Kamakura period by Priest Myoe on land granted by Retired Emperor Go-Toba. Myoe valued learning and the arts and gathered many cultural properties. Of the four scrolls of the Choju-jinbutsu-giga (Ko, Otsu, Hei and Tei), the Ko and Hei scrolls are deposited at the Tokyo National Museum, and the Otsu and Tei scrolls at the Kyoto National Museum.

Highlights

The national treasure 'Choju-jinbutsu-giga' is a set of four picture scrolls depicting anthropomorphized animals in ink and is also called a root of Japanese manga culture. The grounds have a stone monument marking 'the oldest tea garden in Japan,' conveying the tea tradition said to have been planted by Myoe. Old buildings such as Sekisuiin (a national treasure and Important Cultural Property), set in the mountains of Toganoo, are also worth seeing.

Visitor Guide

Take a bus from JR Kyoto Station or JR Saga-Arashiyama Station and get off at the Toganoo stop, right at the temple. Only Sekisuiin charges an admission fee (around 800 yen), and walking through the grounds is free. Allow about 60 to 90 minutes. Deep with mountain greenery, it is also renowned as an autumn leaves spot.

Best Season

Autumn leaves in November are especially beautiful, with the whole Toganoo mountain colored red and yellow. Fresh greenery in May to June also fills the grounds with lively green and allows a quiet visit.

Blessings

Annual Events

• November

  Autumn Foliage Season

  The whole of Mt. Togano is colored, and beautiful autumn foliage can also be enjoyed on the grounds of Kozanji Temple. Many worshippers visit.

Travel Plan

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