If you are a history buff or like Japanese gardens, Chishaku-in (智積院) is an ideal spot to visit. The temple was originally built to pray for Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s first son. While the garden isn’t spacious, it is the second closest publicly accessible garden to Kyoto Station that has been designated as one of the National Places of Scenery Beauty.
Table of Contents
- About Chishaku-in
- The Buildings in Chishaku-in
- Chishaku-in’s Garden
- Chishaku-in’s Flower Calendar
- The Vegan Shōjin Ryōri at Chishaku-in
- Spending a Night at Chishaku-in
- Chishaku-in’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
About Chishaku-in
Chishaku-in is the head temple of the Shingon Chisan sect of the 3,000 temples in Japan.
In the 14th century, Chishaku-in was one of the sub-temples of the Negoroji (根来寺) in the Kii Province (紀州), today’s Wakayama Prefecture. Negoroji used to have over 2,700 sub-temples and over 6,000 monks in total before the temples were destroyed by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1585. Many Negoroji’s monks fled to Mt. Kōya and Kyoto as a result.
In 1615, Gen’yū (玄宥僧正), the most knowledgeable monk of Chishaku-in, was given Shōunji (祥雲寺) by Tokugawa Ieyasu to revive Chishaku-in. Shōunji, a temple praying for Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s first son, Tsurumatsu (鶴松), thus became Chishaku-in and flourished as a place for the study of Buddhism.
The Buildings in Chishaku-in
The temple’s Sōmon Gate (総門) and Daishoin (大書院) are from the Edo period. The sliding door painting in the temple’s museum (宝物館) is a national treasure and was painted by the members of the Hasegawa school. The painting of the autumn foliage (楓図) and the cherry blossoms (桜図) were completed by the founder, Nasegawa Tōhaku (長谷川等伯) and his son, Kyūzō (長谷川久蔵).
The painting of the cherry blossoms was completed when Kyūzō was 25. After he passed away the following year, his father, Tōhaku, painted the autumn foliage as he mourned for his son. Both paintings are representative artworks of Japanese mural painting.
The main worship hall, Kondō (金堂), was restored in 1975 to celebrate the 1200th anniversary of Kōbō Daishi’s birth after it was destroyed in the late 19th century. Its main image is Vairocana Buddha.
The wooden Kabukimon Gate (冠木門) was donated by the temple’s pilgrims in 1984 to commemorate the 1,500th anniversary of Kōbō Daishi’s death. He founded the Shingon sect and the Enryakuji in Mt. Hiei, the mother of Japanese Buddhism.
The gate looks like it is integrated with seasonal flowers beyond it. Apart from the traditional garden, this area is the most scenic spot in Chishaku-in.
Chishaku-in’s Garden
Chishaku-in’s garden, completed in 1674, is a representative strolling water garden of the early Edo period. The artificial mountain was designed based on China’s Mt. Lu (廬山). The long, narrow pond imitates the Yangtze River, the longest river in China and Asia.
The view from the north end of the pond combines the waterfall and the artificial mountain, making the garden seem bigger than it is. The azaleas in the garden bloom from late April to early June.
Tip: You can check out the current view of Chishaku-in’s garden and approach via the Live Cameras.
Chishaku-in’s Flower Calendar
The plum blossoms are scattered in Chishaku-in’s precinct. There is also a plum grove behind Kondō. The plums at Chishaku-in usually bloom between mid-February to mid-March.
Many Cherry blossoms can also be found blooming beyond the Kabukimon Gate between late March to early April.
The temple’s symbol is platycodon, which is commonly known as the balloon flower. Between mid-June and early September, over 1,000 platycodon flowers blossom along Chishaku-in’s approach.
The hydrangeas behind Kondō bloom in June as well. Other flowers, such as iris and lotus, are also planted in Chishaku-in, making its ground colorful throughout the year.
You can also visit Chishaku-in for the fall foliage between mid-November and early December. As it isn’t a popular spot for autumn colors, you can adore the scenery at your pace.
The Vegan Shōjin Ryōri at Chishaku-in
Whether you are a vegan or not, we recommend having lunch or dinner at Chishaku-in’s restaurant, Chishaku-in Charyō Kikyō (智積院茶寮 桔梗). In addition to the typical Japanese monk cuisine, a special dish served here is called Negoro-jiru (根来汁). The soup is made using vegetables, including radish and burdock. The most distinctive ingredient is the azuki beans. A dessert is also included in the set course.
In the afternoon, you can also stop by the restaurant for afternoon tea.
- Chishaku-in Charyō Kikyō is open from 11 am to 8 pm.
- Lunch is served from 11 am to 2 pm.
- Dinner is served from 5 pm to 8 pm.
- The last order is taken at 7:30 pm.
Tip: Lunch is cheaper than dinner at Chishaku-in Charyō Kikyō. In addition to the set course, there are also noodle dishes.
Spending a Night at Chishaku-in
If you are keen to spend a night at a temple in Kyoto, consider Chishaku-in. The guestrooms at the 400-year-old temple compete with high-end ryokans. You can choose from the Japanese-style or Western-style rooms. Some rooms have both Japanese and Western elements, so you can have a good night’s sleep on Western-style beds and enjoy the tatami-mat-covered floor.
In the morning, you can join the morning chanting and service. A tour of the temple by the monks will also be the highlight of your stay. For more information, refer to the Official Website.
Chishaku-in’s Opening Hours, Admission Fee, and Access Information
- Chishaku-in is open from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
- The last admission is at 4 pm.
- The admission fee to the garden or the museum is
- 500 yen for adults
- 300 yen for high school students
- 200 yen for elementary school students
- Chishaku-in is a 15-minute walk from JR Tofukuji Station (東福寺駅).
- You can also take a bus (route 206 or 208) from Kyoto Station and get off at Higashiyama Nanajo (東山七条).
- The temple is a 10-minute walk from Keihan’s Shichijo Station (七条駅).
- You can use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.
Discover Other Plum Blossom Spots in Kyoto
Regardless the overtourism problem, Kyoto is undoubtably Japan’s most popular tourist destination. If you plan to visit Kyoto in early spring, there are several spots for you to add to your itinerary to enjoy the seasonal flower, plum blossoms! While the view created by the plum flowers may be less awe-inspiring than the cherry blossoms due to the volumes, the elegant fragrance will make your visit more pleasant.
For more information, refer to our article on The Plum Blossom Spots in Kyoto!
