Genkoan
47 Takagamine Kitatakaminechō, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8468, Japan
Zen Buddhist temple with a tranquil garden & legendary ceiling with wood reclaimed from a castle.
Duration: 00h30min
+81 75-492-1858
Opening hours
Mondays: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesdays: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesdays: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursdays: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Fridays: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturdays: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sundays: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
review(s)
944 review(s)
Dylan Smith 5 months ago
A lovely temple with no tourists. Absolute serenety.
Kalpana Rao 6 months ago
Lovely, away from the tourist crowds (on a weekday in summer though). Peaceful and simple. Garden is lovely to gaze at.
Mihaela Ionescu a year ago
I was lucky to go when almost no one was there. The temple is a jewel in so many ways. Take a moment to enjoy the natural landscape, the spaciousness, the soft fragrance of Japanese incense, the golden light, and the view through the windows. Take a moment to decipher the Chinese calligraphies... It's fine take some time... Take a moment to contemplate the perfect nature of enlightenment and the edgy nature of confusion. Take a moment to wish that all beings may reach perfect and complete awakening. Take a moment to pray for those whose bloody footprints and handprints have been enshrined within the ceiling. Take a moment to admire the exquisite ornaments and details of the interiors. Take a moment to observe how even the gardener embodies the spirit of zen. Or just take a picture of the Sakura, plum blossoms or momiji. The gardener will be happy to help you.
Ian Gore 5 years ago
Despite what the brochure would have you believe, this temples name actually means 'in high mountain' because it is up a steep incline. Get as bus if you want to come here. Otherwise it is a fine medium sized temple.
Trinh Le 5 years ago
Beautiful small temple with significantly less tourists than the nearby Kinkakuji. Famous for its square and round windows side by side. Autumn leaves usually reach its peak in late November.