Yoshimine-dera Temple, located in Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, is a Tendai Buddhist Temple and is the 20th temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. The Temple is said to have been built by the famous monk Gensan in 1029 with a statue of a thousand-armed Kannon, or the bodhisattva known as Avalokiteśvara, as the main statue. The temple once included 52 buildings but most were burned down during the Ōnin War (1467-1477). After the war, the temple was rebuilt by Keishoin, the mother of Tsunayoshi Tokugawa, the fifth Tokugawa shogun, and now includes nearly 20 temples including the “Tahoto,” which is designated as an important cultural property of the country.
The grounds are large (almost 25 acres) and includes gardens perfect for an afternoon stroll and overlook Kyoto city. A highlight is a pine tree there is a pine tree called "Yuryu no Matsu", which is only about than 2m high but extends more than 37m wide and is designated as a national natural monument.
The grounds are a great place to enjoy seasonal flowers throughout the year as well, but they are especially famous for its cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in autumn. In spring, more than 100 cherry blossoms of various types such as Higan cherry, weeping cherry, and peony cherry blossoms bloom for a month. In autumn, not only the grounds but also the entire mountain side are dyed red with autumn leaves.
- Address
- 〒610-1133
1372 Oharano Oshio-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto - Access
- Bus: From "Mukomachi" station on the JR Kyoto line, take the Hankyu bus (bound for Yoshimine-dera) and get off at "Yoshimine-dera," then walk for 8 minutes.
From "Higashimuko" station on the Hankyu Kyoto line, take the Hankyu bus (bound for Yoshimine-dera) and get off at "Yoshimine-dera", then walk for 8 minutes.
Car: Approximately 15 minutes from Kyoto Jukan Expressway "Oharano" I.C. - Business Hours
- 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (Admission until 4:45 pm)
Regular holidays : None - Price
- Adult: 500 yen
Children: High school students - 300 yen, elementary and junior high school students - 200 yen - Parking
- Available
Number of regular vehicles: 100 spaces (Fee: Car - 500 yen)
Number of large vehicles: 4 spaces for Medium-size Buses (Fee: Medium-Size Bus - 2,500 yen, Small/Micro Bus -2,000 yen)
Number of large vehicles: 8 spaces (Fee: Large/Medium Bus - 1,500 yen, Small/Micro Bus 1,000 yen)
* If using a large bus, please use the bus parking lot because the road to the mountain gate is narrow. Please be aware that there are steep stone steps and slopes from the bus parking lot to the mountain gate.
