It was a nice experience trying to write the sutra and also enjoying the green moss. An hour here felt fast.. but the entrance fee was overpriced I think and I recommend to try the hiking course nearby after the visit. The walk was relaxing and not that hard, enough to make you sweat and enjoy lunch in arashiyama after the hike

This was a highlight of our trip to Japan. Came here as part of a day visit to the Arashiyama area during our visit to Kyoto. An easy commute from the Togetsukyo bridge in Arashiyama to the temple. The temple and moss garden is sublime, beautiful and tranquil. The walk around the moss garden makes for a very Zen like experience - seeing the light dance across the green moss and hearing the wind rustle against the trees of the temple grounds made for a nice and pleasant walk. The visit quota the temple has per day, ensures visitors will be able to feel peace and tranquility as they visit the temple grounds - which can be a challenge in Kyoto! Also I understand the garden is one of Japan’s best, and historic examples of its moss gardens - seeing it in person you can understand why. Also enjoyed the sutra process before visiting the temple grounds - an expensive visit but very much a worthwhile one during our visit in late December. We booked online a few weeks in advance - found the process to be simple and easy.

Amazing garden filled with moss. Unlike other UNESCO heritage sites in kyoto this is very less crowded. Reservation is required in advance through postcard to visit the temple and garden. Also great experience trying calligraphy inside temple. Totally worth visiting

The must visit temple and garden in Kyoto. You have to reserve in advance by postcard or website, but totally worth the trouble. The temple is at the final stop of city bus 63 so not need to worry to miss the stop. Breath taking garden covered by various moss. And you could round up the day at the arashiyama. I will definitely come again when revisiting Kyoto!

This was a place of unimaginable tranquility and beauty. The peace I felt here exceeded my wildest thoughts. If I could retire here and tend the grounds so that others could enjoy this place for another 700 years I would do so without hesitation. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. You must copy a sutra before going into the garden. It was so worth it I cannot fully explain it.

The experience was amazing, we where given a sutra to copy, it was a very relaxing moment. If you are coming here be prepared to sit around for 1 hour and do some sort of meditation, don't be rude and leave before finishing just because you didn't know what you where getting yourself into. It is distracting for the others. Don The price is a bit high, 3000 yen, but overall I think it was worth it. You have to make a reservation via letter, so prepare before time, see their website for details. After the meditation you are left to visit the beautiful surrounding moss garden.

Stunning place! The gardens are beautiful! I would recommend it to anyone who loves plants and a quite walk. Need to book in-advance, as they limit guests per day in the interest of the gardens.

Amazing zen temple with a beautiful garden. Only accessible through online booking. Worth price and the hassle of booking in advance.

We walked here (45mins) from the bamboo forest. I was able to buy tickets online a few days before our visit - simple process. We booked the 10:00 slot. We arrived about 10 mins prior to our appt time and there were already a dozen people in line. They asked for our QR code and we all started to enter at 10. They gave us a calligraphy pen upon entry and guided us to the temple where you copy a mantra in Japanese. No photos inside the temple. It was a peaceful and beautiful way to relax the mind and set intentions for your visit. After, we visited the garden. Even though there were a dozen or so people it felt like we had the place to ourselves. I could have stayed there all day. Tip/Recommendation: read the material and site prior to visit. It really helps anchor you in the right mindset and intentionality of the space.

my favorite temple in Japan - more focus on nature than religious artifacts 🍃 I just loved it!! the moss is really that wonderfully green 🤩

A beautiful temple and the moss garden was brilliant. The autumn colours were beautiful. The calligraphy of the sutra on arrival really puts you in the right mood.

After many visits to Japan, I finally made the effort to get a reservation here. 100% worth it! The calming tracing of a sutra in kanji before entering was a powerful way to quiet the mind. It isn't as if this is head and shoulders above many other great gardens and temples across Japan, but it is does seem to offer more surprises around each turn and leads to beauty-driven giggles.

It's been my 3rd time. I believe this is one of earth's most beautiful places. There's a tiny waterfall, where the water goes into a pond under a bridge - listen to the sound of water there, don't take pictures, just enjoy and find real tranquility.

One of the most beautiful gardens I have seen during the autumn period. Ticket is expensive but worth it, since visitor number is limited. Unfortunately, only the garden can be seen, entering most of the buildings is not allowed.

Reach the favorite list on my Kyoto trip. Its a small size temple. Yet so great to walk around. The entrance is giving mysterious magical vibe. Every corner were big tree. So calming in here. I wish they have some seating space here. Combine with morning light also splendid. Luckily, there were some few redness and green moss. Their toilet also clean too! There weren’t much information for me to reach so i google it instead.

Surprised to find very few tourists during the "peak" season at this Wonderful Honen-In Temple. A hidden gem! The scene / facade at the front of temple itself, was like a beautiful picture, a portrait. It's a small temple but yet, very serene, tranquil and it seems like, all is at peace with the soul. Very mystical indeed and definitely worth a visit!

Loved visiting a free temple, scenery was pretty cool, however quite a lot of people walking back and forth in an unorganised manner. People there were quite nice. They should close of the main door to not allow people to interrupt photographers - they already have a secondary entrance, so could use that instead. But overall, as a whole, a nice place to visit.

This temple was pretty secluded. There were almost no one on my way there and in the temple itself. Only a few visitor and then none. Couldn't even find the temple keeper there. With monkeys and animals sound from the forest, the temple already blending with nature, I felt spooked for a bit. After a while then I was able to enjoy all of the nature and tranquility of the temple.

Very beautiful temple just off the philosophers path. It's free to enter the grounds, the main building is not accessible to the public. It's very serene and peaceful. Doesn't seem to be overcrowded with tourists either, maybe a less well known temple. So beautiful

What a beautiful gem of a temple. So quiet and serene and peaceful. Very different from rest of the temples. Along the philosopher walk and is free entry. Probably the best kept secret and a very satisfying visit. Just so nice walking around the green gardens. Nature at its best!

The visit is very worth it! The temple is in a quiet location and surrounded by greenery. The paths, stream and plants are all masterfully designed. I spoke to a very friendly older couple (the husband's English was excellent) who were pulling weeds and they gave me tips for further excursions. The entire temple is decorated with wonderful details, such as a small flower by the water for the hands. Due to the elevated location of the temple, you can see the city from there, framed by trees. Be careful when using Google Maps when getting there: you will be sent to a narrow, small asphalt road for cars, but you will miss a beautiful path. Follow the public road a little south until you see steps, which is the actual entrance.

We arrived here duaring sunset and the main gates were closed but you can enter from the side. It is a tranquil temple known for its peaceful gardens, minimalist architecture, and the famous Hojo Hall.

If you want a quiet temple with moss garden off the beat and track then worth a visit. The moss gardens are exquisite and this is conveniently located close to philosophers path and has great views over Kyoto.

We bumped into it randomly and it was surprisingly the most unique experience what we had. The garden is fantastic and it has an atmosphere what non of the other shrines or temples had.

Visit Date: 18.03.2024 Love the feeling of walking into this temple. So calm and peaceful.

📿🛐 Stunning temple by the end of philosopher’s path. An incredibly beautiful hidden gem of the beaten path that it is absolutely worth a visit. 🌳 In the nature and surrounded by nature. The moss is wonderful as they take good care of its grow during the year ✅ Not crowded at all, so it is wonderful peace and quiet. ✅ Fantastic views of Kyoto outskirts from its altitude 🆓💴 Free

Mindblowing! I cannot express how I miss this place and its serenity. My favorite spot in Japan and perhaps in the world. You can visit Tadao Ando's open exhibition (see Garden of Fine Arts) near the subway in the same area in order to experience the continuity between traditional borrowed scenery and modern Japanese architecture.

It is a sublime moment to contemplate in front of the garden that frames Mount Hiei in its background. It's one of the best example of 'shakkei' (borrowed scenery) I ever know. It's a bit out of the centre but definitely worth a visit.

Entsuji Temple belongs to Myoshin sect which is a branch of Rinzai sect of Buddhism. It was formerly Hataeda Palace. The temple was built in 1678 by a nun serving a mother of Emperor Gomizuno. When it was built the tenth head of Myoshinji Temple ( in Hanazono ) was appointed to become the first head priest of Entsuji. The temple holds a wooden block with engraved sutra sent from China and a scrool made by Emperor Reigen as its cultural treasure. The temple is known for the beauty of a Karesansui ( dry stone garden ) with a picturesque borrowed landscape of Mt. Hiei in the backdrop. The view of the Mt. Hiei from here has been designated as a national site of scenic beauty. There are about 40 stones in the garden that are arranged by Emperor Gosuio himself. The main object of worship is Seikannon Statue.

I loved to see trees planted in a linear manner. The contrast of trees and Mt. Hiei was so beautiful. Noted on my wonder-tips site.

Walked up there, found it by 4:30pm, when a monk was just closing the gates. He said it closes at 4:00 not 5:00 as it says on google. We begged to be allowed to just look for 5 minutes (we had come such a long way) and he summarily refused. Not very tourist friendly.

This is my favorite temple in Kyoto. The view is wonderful. I can see it forever.

A hidden gem. Has an amazing view of the mountains.

Nice view

日本三大仏、岐阜大仏。歴史や由来は訪れて確認して下さい。多くを語らずとも訪れればこの大仏様の凄さがわかります。何度も訪れてますが人気がないのかいつも空いてます。でも拝めばきっと感動しますよ！岐阜城に行ったらぜひお立ち寄り下さい。 (Translated by Google) Gifu Daibutsu, one of Japan's three great Buddha statues. Please visit and check the history and origin. Even if you don't say much, you can understand the greatness of this Great Buddha just by visiting it. I've been here many times, but it's always empty, probably because it's not popular. But if you worship it, you'll be impressed! If you go to Gifu Castle, please stop by.

Good feeling after walking in the sun, but the place doesn’t have air conditioned.. Pay 200¥ at the entrance and there’s a smaller Buddha and you can touch this Buddha’s body then touch a part of your body that has been painful somehow and it’s said to be healed.. The Buddha has big ears and big ears in japan are a sign of being rich or lucky. The mudra showed by the statute is the vitharka mudra, and it’s not a recent concept and you can see japanese using it widely.. interesting to research the origins of this mudra. The statue looks at you using this mudra as if saying “everything is perfect and you just on the place you should be, no worries” Has some paintings with a visual description of hell that I will update here soon as I search better. There’s a hand drawn painting of the interior, all in Japanese (check the pictures) Worth a visit, worth to sit and search if you like of japans history, history of Buddhism or just curious.

日本三大仏の中で一番好きな大仏です。 上から見下ろす感じで優しい顔で私たちを見ていてくれるようでとても癒されます。 前に長椅子が設置されているのでそこに座って見上げているととても安心感を与えていただいている感じになります。 (Translated by Google) This is my favorite of the three great Buddhas in Japan. It feels like they are looking down at us from above with their kind faces, which is very soothing. There is a chaise lounge set up in front of you, so when you sit there and look up, you feel very safe.

It was a surprise to see the big Buddha enclosed in the building it is. For 200 you get a great visit to a Buddha statue and other artifacts. It's nice. It's near the museum for the area and the rope swing to the castle on the mountain.

Small and somehow discrete temple hides impressive Budda statue. Nice atmosphere

奈良や鎌倉の大仏と同じく大きな仏像。 少し前屈みの姿勢なので、ちょうど下から見上げると目が合います。 その瞳に何を感じるかはその人次第です。 (Translated by Google) A large Buddha statue like the Great Buddha in Nara and Kamakura. He's leaning forward a little, so if you look up from below, you'll be able to see his eyes. What you feel in those eyes is up to the person.

Very beautiful Great Buddha indeed. The Bamboo Basket Buddha is uniquely made out of bamboo,wood and paper with sutras written on them. I was not expecting the statue to be as beautiful in person. There are charms available in particular a beautiful pearl white Omamori. The grounds and building are easily seen in one hour. I highly recommend you combine this with either Gifu Castle or Inaba Jinja as they are mere minutes from each other.

It is a greater experience. Fee is 200yen . A greater place to visit in gifu

An ancient place with a very big Great Buddha, made up of wood and clay. And some other Equipment's which are used before 500 years ago.

The statue of Buddha was very big and amazing. But the ticket price is 200yen..Ots a bit high. You can feel silence there.

Nice place to visit if you go to Gifu-shi. Very closer of Gifu Park.

Had a weird lil moment after walking there under the burning sun for 35 mins w no water (there is no konbinis around) and sitting in front of this huge buddha statue staring me in the face for 20 mins. Great experience, ¥200