If you plan to visit Kyoto around mid-February, visit Kōshō-ji (興正寺) for its plum blossoms. Although there is only a white and a red plum in the precinct, the trees are magnificent. Plus, there is a photo spot here where you can capture the pink flowers in a heart-shaped frame!
Table of Contents
About Kōshō-ji
Kōshō-ji was initially a temple established by Shinran Shōnin (親鸞聖人) in 1212 in Yamashina. The temple’s name has the meaning that the correct Buddha’s teaching can be widely spread (正しい法を興し栄えさす).
Then in 1320, Ryōgen Shōnin (了源上人) relocated the temple to Mt. Hiei. At that time, Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇) gave the temple the name Amida Bukkōji (阿弥陀仏光寺) because it was said that the principal image of the temple, Amitabha Buddha, radiated light.
The temple was destroyed in 1532 in a civil war. Fortunately, it was restored in 1585 in the Tenman area in Osaka. In 1568, both Hongan-ji and Kōshō-ji became a Monseki Temple where the chief monks of the temples were members of the imperial family. Thanks to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, both temples were moved back to Kyoto to their current locations in 1591.
In 1602, the Hongan-ji Temple was separated into the Nishi Hongan-ji and Higashi Hongan-ji, and Kōshō-ji became a temple that belonged to the Nishi Hongan-ji (西本願寺). In 1876, it was separated from Nishi Hongan-ji and became the head temple of the Shinshū Kōshō sect (真宗興正派).
The Shinshū Kōshō sect is one of the many schools under the Pure Land sect.
The Mieidō (御影堂) and the Amidadō (阿弥陀堂) were rebuilt in 1912 and 1915 respectively after the worship halls were lost in a fire in 1902.
The Plum Blossoms at Kōshō-ji
During the plum blossom season, as soon as you walk past Kōshō-ji’s Sanmon Gate (三門), you will be pleasantly greeted by the red and white plums. Note that red plums usually bloom earlier than white plums. So, seeing them both blossoming at the same time need some luck!
The plum blossoms at Kōshō-ji usually bloom from mid to late February. During this time of the year, the temple is filled with the flowers’ sweet scent.
Tip: Take a photo of the plum blossom from the temple’s purification fountain. The fountain’s roof carving has a heart shape, so a photo of the roof carving with the pink flowers in the background will give you a pink heart!
Kōshō-ji’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Kōshō-ji is open from 6 am to 5 pm.
- The temple office is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
- The temple is a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station.
- You can also take Kyoto City Bus routes 9, 28, or 75 from Kyoto Station and get off at either Nishi Honganji-mae (西本願寺前) or Nanajō Horikawa (七条堀川).
