Home ≫ Places of Interest - Higashiyama (Middle) ≫ Shoren-in

Shoren-in temple

Shoren-in, one of five Tendai-shu sect Monzeki temples in Kyoto (see note below), has peaceful atmosphere. It's primary attraction is Chisen-kaiyu-shiki (pond stroll) garden. You will hear the sound of a small waterfall, and yet you may feel quietness and serenity.

NOTE: Other four Tendai Monzeki temples are Bishamon-do, Manshu-in, Myoho-in, and Sanzen-in.

Shoren-in has a national treasure, a painting of blue Fudo-Myo'o. A reproduction of the painting is hanging in a back room of the main hall.

History of Shoren-in

Denkyo-daishi Saicho (767-822), the founder of Tendai-shu sect and Enryaku-ji, built small buildings on Mt. Hiei as priests' residences. Shoren-bo, one of the buildings in Todo of Mt. Hiei, was the origin of Shoren-in.

Gyogen (1097-1155), the 48th Head Priest of Enryaku-ji, was living in Shoren-bo. The retired Emperor Toba (1103-1156) made his 7th son Gyogen's disciple and build a temple in the present site. The retired Emperor named the temple Shoren-in. Thus, Gyogen became the first head priest of the new temple followed by Prince Kakukai-shin'no (1134-1181), Toba's 7th son. Since then, until the Meiji-era (1868-1912), each head priest of Shoren-in was from the imperial family or the regent family.

In 1788, a great fire broke out in Kyoto and the Imperial Palace was reduced to ashes. The retired Emperor Go-Sakuramachi settled into and used Shoren-in as her temporary Imperial Palace. Kobun-tei in the garden of the temple was used as her study room.

How to get to Shoren-in temple

  • 29 minutes from Kyoto Station to Jingu-michi bus stop by Kyoto City Bus No. 5 then 3 minutes on foot, or
  • 5 minutes on foot from Higashiyama station of subway Tozai line.

Hours and Admission

9:00 am to 17:00 (admission ends at 16:30)

Those older then following: 500 yen
Junior high school and high school students: 400 yen
Elementary school pupils (1st - 6th graders): 300 yen

Photos / Pictures

Click on a photo for a larger image.

Yakui-mon gate
June 25, 2009		 Nagaya-mon gate.
June 25, 2009		 A room of Kacho-den.
June 25, 2009
Ichimonji Chozubachi that is said to have been donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
June 25, 2009		 Kogosho.
June 25, 2009		 The east side (the back side) of Shijoko-do (hondo, the main hall). In the center of the photo is a reproduction of the image of blue Fudo-Myo'o, a national treasure.
June 25, 2009
Shin-den.
June 25, 2009		 A room of Shinden.
June 25, 2009		 A palanquin that was used by the Emperor Komei (1831-1866).
June 25, 2009
The entrance to the garden.
June 25, 2009		 A gate to the garden.
June 25, 2009		 Ishigumi (stone arrangement) and Ryujin-no-ike pond. On the right of the ishigumi is a water fall that is called Senshin-no-taki.
June 25, 2009
Tsukiyama (an artificial hill) and a thirteen-story stone pagoda.
June 25, 2009		 A large stone in the pond and a stone bridge that is called Koryu-no-hashi.
June 25, 2009		 Ishidoro, a stone lantern.
June 25, 2009
Kirishima-no-niwa garden that is said to have been laid out by Kobori Enshu.
June 25, 2009		 Ishidoro in Kirishima-no-niwa.
June 25, 2009		 Ishidoro that stands by Kobun-tei tea ceremony house.
June 25, 2009
Hiyoshi-sha shrine.
June 25, 2009		 The bell.
June 25, 2009		 Shikyaku-mon gate.
June 25, 2009
Page Top