Jikko-in Temple

Jikko-in Temple is a branch temple of the Shorin-in Temple, a temple known as the center of Tendai Syomyo (a type of Buddhist music.) Syomyo is said to be the origin of Japanese music, and had a great influence on many types of Japanese music, such as youkyoku, jyoruri, kouta, nagauta, and roukyoku. (All old types of Japanese music.) At Jikko-in Temple, instruments that were used for Syomyo are displayed. Visitors can also see the Sanjyu-roku-Shisen-Gazo, a painting drawn by an artist of the Kano-group in the Edo Period, on the transom of the Kyakuden (reception hall of a temple).

Jikko-in Temple has a beautiful garden, just like the other Zen temples in Kyoto. The garden on the east side of the temple is a Chisen-Kanshou-Teien Garden (a type of garden which you are supposed to enjoy the view from indoors), with a waterfall. The space in front of the pond expresses the "real world", and the other side expresses the "world of the Buddha." The garden on the west side of the temple is a Kairan-Teien Garden (a type of garden which you are supposed to walk around in and enjoy the view). This garden is well known for its Fudan-zakura (a kind of cherry blossom), which blooms in spring and autumn. In November, it shows a beautiful contrast of the pink of cherry blossoms and the yellow and red of autumn leaves. Other than in Autumn, few tourists visit this temple, therefore it is a very pleasant place to go on your own and enjoy the garden with a cup of green tea.

Access

Bus: Get off at Ohara Stop on the Kyoto Bus, and it is ten minutes on foot from there.