The Unryû-In Temple is a Buddhist sub-temple of the large Sennyûji Temple. It was established in 1372 by Emperor Gokogon. The season night illumination has just started (Nov 19th to 27th) and we enjoyed our time visiting the gardens of this wonderful little temple.
While most illuminated gardens around the city are crowded with numerous tourists, this temple was almost empty and the silence helped us enjoy the view of the beautiful garden. One of the highlight of the temple is the Window of Enlightenment, a perfectly rond window, from which we could see the colored leaves of a small maple tree (in April, cherry blossoms are visible). Another place enabled us to see an illuminated stone lantern surrounded by a large maple tree through four square windows, or Windows of Delusion, symbolizing human life’s pain and suffering.
The place, located in the southern part of Higashiyama District, is just behind the Sennyu-Ji Temple, near the Tofukui Temple. It is a very enjoyable place to appreciate a quiet seating viewing the beautiful illuminated garden.
This is the oldest Shakyo-dojo in Japan (Shakyo is the copying of Buddhist sutras by hand). Visitors are welcome to practice Shakyo.
Unryû-In Temple
10 minute walk from City Bus Stop Sennyu-ji-michi
Web (in Japanese): http://www.unryuin.jp/
Adresse :36 Sennyūji Yamanouchichō, Higashiyama-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 605-0977, Japan
By Train: about 15 min walk from Tofukuji Station (JR line from Kyoto station or Keihan line),
By Bus: about 10 min walk from city bus Sennyuji-michi bus stop (#207).
Phone: 075-541-3916
Hours: Every day from 9 am to 5 pm
Price: 400 yen (yen 900 with matcha tea)
“Shakyo” practice 9:00a.m. – 3:30p.m. Yen 1,500
