Situated in Kyoto Prefecture’s Ayabe City, Gokuraku-ji Temple was said to have been founded in 1479. The temple belongs to the Rinzai sect, one of the five Zen sects of China, the head of whose branch is Tofuku-ji Temple. Gokuraku-ji Temple is famous for the ancient oga lotuses which bloom every summer. In 1952, their seeds were found in the remains of prehistorical Yayoi era (300 BC - 250 AD) items in Chiba Prefecture by the botanist Dr. Oga. The following year, the lotus seed sprouted and continued on to successfully bloom. It was therefore named the oga lotus in memory of the late Dr. Oga. Gokuraku-ji Temple received several seeds from Chiba Prefecture and every year the lotuses bloom beautifully.
- Tel
- Ayabe City Tourist Center 0773-42-9550
- Address
- 34 Kamakuraden, Hasoji-cho, Ayabe City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Access
- Train: From JR Ayabe Station, take Aya Bus (the Shinoda Sakuragaoka line) for about 30 minutes, get off at "Gokurakuji" bus stop, and walk for 2 minutes.
- Business Hours
- Open all year round
*The inside of the temple is not open to visitors. - Parking
- Space for regular-sized vehicles: 10 (Price: Free. However, during memorial services the parking lot may become crowded.)
Space for large vehicles: 2 (Price: Free. However, during memorial services the parking lot may become crowded.)
