If you want to know the charms of Arashiyama and Sagano, here are 3 recommended spots!
Hello! It's Mo. Recently, I've been to many temples and shrines in Kyoto, as well as places with beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves! Kyoto is really interesting because, in addition to the many temples and shrines, there are also many famous places to see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Each one has its own unique character, so the more you get to know it, the more profound it becomes!!!
Well, this time I, who know a lot about these many temples and shrines, would like to introduce some recommended spots around Arashiyama and Sagano!
I hope this will be helpful for people who want to go on a date, go out with their family, or even just enjoy sightseeing on their own.
[3 recommended spots in Arashiyama and Sagano]
*Seiryo-ji Temple
・Let's take a good look at the standing statue of Shaka Nyorai that Sosen had made in Song!
Nison-in Temple
・How about having some zenzai at Nison-in Temple, the birthplace of Ogura An?
Tenryu-ji Temple
・You must see the impressive "Cloud Dragon Painting"!
*Seiryo-ji Temple
Travel time: approximately 30 to 40 minutes
・Let's take a good look at the standing statue of Shaka Nyorai that Sosen had made in Song!
The highlight of Seiryoji Temple is the Shaka Nyorai standing statue that was made by Chounen in Song! It is called the Three Kingdoms Shaka Nyorai Standing Statue. The reason is that this Shaka Nyorai standing statue was carved from Shaka when he was 37 years old, and it was brought to India, China, and Japan. Seiryoji Temple's Shaka Nyorai statue is said to be a spitting image of Shaka, and it was made in the "Seiryouji Style" Buddha statue. The characteristics of this Shaka are the concentric circles of clothing that cling to his body, the deeply carved face, and the hair that looks like it's wrapped in rope.
From the end of the Heian period to the Kamakura period, the Shaka Nyorai statue was loved by many people and became an object of faith. It is said that Honen, the famous founder of the Jodo sect of Buddhism, also trained in the hall where the Shaka Nyorai statue was worshiped. It is also said that many copies of the Shaka Nyorai statue, which was an object of faith, were made.
It's quite popular. If it were to be compared to today's market, it would be like selling a lot of photos of celebrities. I might be a little off. But that just goes to show how popular it is. The Shaka Nyorai statue was worshipped by many people, transcending Buddhist sects, and it is said that monks from all sects gathered at Seiryoji Temple to train.
Seiryoji Temple homepage: http://seiryoji.or.jp//
Nison-in Temple
Travel time: approximately 20 to 30 minutes
・How about having some zenzai at Nison-in Temple, the birthplace of Ogura An?
In fact, there is a stone monument at Nison-in Temple that says "Birthplace of Ogura An"! This stone monument was made by Izutsu Yatsuhashi Honpo in 2005 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of its founding! The birthplace of that famous Japanese confectionery, Ogura An, which most Japanese people would know, is actually Nison-in Temple! It's surprising, isn't it?
It is said that Ogura An originated in the early Heian period when Kobo Daishi brought back azuki bean seeds from China and gave them to the confectioner Wasaburo, who cultivated them, boiled them with sugar, and made anko paste. At first it was only in Kyoto, but it gradually spread throughout the country, and now it is a food known by most Japanese people. The seeds cultivated by Wasaburo are of the "Ogura Dainagon" variety, which are a little larger than the azuki beans we usually see.
Talking about Ogura Anko is making you hungry, isn't it? If you are at Nison-in Temple right now, why not stop by Shiki-an? Here you can enjoy zenzai made with Ogura Dainagon red beans. In the summer, cold zenzai is also recommended! Even if you are not at Nison-in Temple right now, if you come to Nison-in Temple, please stop by!
Nison-in Temple's website is here: https://nisonin.jp/
Tenryu-ji Temple
Travel time: approximately 30 to 40 minutes
・You must see the impressive "Cloud Dragon Painting"!
A large dragon is painted all over the interior ceiling of the Hatto building. A large ceiling measuring about 11m x 13m is made of 159 3cm thick cypress boards, lacquered on all sides, and then painted with white clay. A circle with a diameter of 9m is painted on top of it, and a large dragon is painted inside, glaring in all directions. The powerful dragon's appearance is truly overwhelming. I have actually seen it, and how can I put it? It's a painting that makes you want to look at it forever. It makes you feel like the dragon is watching you wherever you are. It's a painting that's a little scary, but also powerful, and makes you want to stare at it. This painting was painted by Suzuki Shonen, who was active during the Meiji period. Currently, it is severely damaged, so only a part of it is preserved, and it is only open to the public during special visits each year. It's not always available to see, so it's quite valuable! If possible, I recommend going during the period when you can see the Cloud Dragon Painting!
Tenryu-ji Temple's homepage is here: http://www.tenryuji.com/
If you are going to visit the wonderful place, Kyoto, we recommend renting a kimono!!
Kimono rental shop VASARA is based in Kyoto and is popular with people of all ages.
Kimono Rental VASARA Kyoto Station Store
https://vasara-h.co.jp/shop/detail.html?id=20
We help many customers dress and style their hair 365 days a year, so our skilled staff can transform you into a beautiful person in a short time! Our staff will dress you in a kimono beautifully to fit each person's body. Also, at VASARA Kimono Rental, we not only dress you in the kimono but also do your hair, so there's no need to go to a beauty salon! You'll get a cute hairstyle that suits you and a beautiful dressing! With this, you too may become a beautiful woman in a kimono or yukata ❤❤
If you are interested, please check out the plans, prices, and kimono list!
Plans and Prices
Kimono list
