Although not many people visit Shoren-in Temple (and garden), those in the know call it one of the most beautiful in Kyoto. I went there on the morning of December 31, and it was practically empty, which suited me just fine. Built in the late 13th Century, part of the temple's fame comes from its connections over the centuries to the Royal Family. The buildings are laid out around a central garden and pond. Rooms are wide and spacious and beautiful. The wood is dark and old, and there are a lot of reds to match the darkness of the wood. Colorful lotus door paintings are a delight! A path winds its way up through a bamboo grove and, at the top, provides a splendid view of the surrounding countryside.
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Beautiful Shoren-in Temple, Kyoto
A superb mixture of old and new
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Mandy Bartok
9 years ago
I visited Shoren-in sometime last year and really loved the vivid painted screens. Imagine my surprise when a year later, I was wandering around the Yasaka Pagoda area and there was a shop whose interior had been painted by the exact same artist, Hideki Kimura!
Debra Mae Carino
9 years ago
I went to Kyoto earlier this year and visited Shoren-in as suggested by a Japanese friend of mine. The entrance alone is so wonderful. I love that tree ;)
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