Nanzen-Ji temple is the main temple located near Tenju-An (Kyoto). It is the head temple of a school within the Rinzai sect. Destroyed during the civil wars of the late Muromachi Period, the history of Nanzen-ji temple dates back to the middle of the 13th century when the Emperor Kameyama [...]
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At the base of the Higashiyama mountains, near the very important zen temple of Nanzenji is Tenju-An temple. Tenju-An was erected in the early 17th century and is dedicated to the zen master who served Emperor Kameyama in his religious studies. [...]
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Arashiyama, one of the world's most famous bamboo groves, is located in Kyoto. Composed of many different public and private areas of the Sagano bamboo forest, Arashiyama is however one of the most well-known sections of this huge bamboo grove. [...]
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Kamo river has its source in the area of Mt. Sajikigatake. Its riverbanks are popular walking spots for both local residents and tourists alike. Beautiful and peaceful all year long, it is however during summer that the Kamo river in central Kyoto takes a livelier turn with many […]
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One of Japan’s most famous temples, Kinkakuji is one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions and is a world-renowned tourist location. The temple was actually the retirement house of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. [...]
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Ryoanji Temple, has Japan’s most famous zen rock garden! Originally designed for a rich aristocrat during the Heian Period, the site was later converted in 1450 into the Zen temple we know today which belongs to the Japanese Myoshinji school of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. [...]
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Located in the beautiful, narrow streets of Higashiyama district, the Hokan-ji temple and its famous Yasaka No To (or the tower of Yasaka), is one of the most picturesque views in Japan. Founded during the Asuka era (593-710), Hokan-ji is now a famous Buddhist temple [...]
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Located in the heart of Kyoto south of the famous Gion Geiko District, you will find the beautiful Kennin-ji Zen temple (also known as Kenninji). Now before going any further on Kennin-ji, we would like to first explain the difference between Geisha and Geiko. [...]
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One of Japan’s most famous temples, Kinkakuji is one of Kyoto’s most popular attractions and is a world-renowned tourist location. The temple was actually the retirement house of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. [...]
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A remnant of a once larger temple from the Jodo sect and first built during the 8th century, Tamba Kokubun-ji is one of many Kameoka City major cultural properties as well as been designated a national historical site. Too often ignore by tourists, foreign or not, Tamba Kokubun-ji is a gorgeous little temple where […]
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ocated in Kameoka in Kyoto prefecture just 12 minutes away by train from Arashiyama (also known as Kyoto’s bamboo forest). Ryotan-ji or Ryotanji is among the three major temples of the Rinzai Myoshin-ji sect. According to the temple owner, Ryotan-ji’s history goes as far back as 1480 when Sekkososhin VI of Myoshinji Temple in the […]
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ocated in the center of Kameoka (Kyoto) you will find the ruins of the Tamba Kameyama Castle. It was built in 1578 by Akechi Mitsuhide as the headquarters for his attacks on the Tanba area. In 1609, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who controlled the area, worked in renovating this castle and used it as well as his […]
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