Jōjakkō-ji Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

The temple has beautiful garden and moss on the ground. The maple leaf season of the temple is around late October to mid November, and it is very crowded especially in weekend. Temple is not extraordinarily large, but its garden is extraordinarily excellent and has high reputation among local Japanese and Japanese garden designers for its moss, tree garden, and fall maple leave beauty.

While temple has very beautiful garden, the temple does not have much religious worship or chatting practice. It appears that the temple is selling its garden as a tour attraction, and visitors can enjoy garden beauty with serenity.

It takes about 20 minutes of walking distance from Arashiyama Randen train station to the temple, and most popular route is to walk through famous Arashiyama Bamboo Gloves trails.

The temple does not have handicapped access or parking, because the temple was built on mountain slope and requires moderate mountain steps climbing. However, visitors have options to climb up mountain steps straight line directly or go up on "Z" shape step climbing, which is more suitable for the seniors.

The temple does have toilets, but no vending machine or gift shop selling any drink. Although there's a coffee shop near the temple, it does not open on some weekdays. Thus, visitors should prepare for or bring their own drinking water, especially in summer and...

Tucked away in the tranquil outskirts of Kyoto lies Jōjakkō-ji Temple, a hidden gem boasting a peaceful ambiance among the lush greenery of the serene forest. This enchanting Buddhist temple offers visitors a rare opportunity to escape the bustling city and find solace in its tranquil surroundings.

The beauty of Jōjakkō-ji extends beyond its natural surroundings. The temple itself, though relatively small, captivates with its traditional architecture and intricate design. From the perfectly manicured gardens to the meticulously carved wooden details, every corner of the temple exudes a sense of spiritual harmony and grace.

One of the highlights of Jōjakkō-ji Temple is the pristine Zen garden, where visitors can sit and meditate, or simply absorb the peaceful atmosphere. The careful arrangement of rocks, moss, and shrubs creates a harmonious balance that reflects the deep-rooted philosophies of Zen Buddhism. It is an ideal spot for reflection and introspection, allowing one to find a moment of respite from the busy...

I arrived in Arashiyama with limited time. I visited Tenryu-ji. It was too crowded so I walked around the area afterwards.

I found this temple almost by happenstance. It doesn't look like much from the entrance but looks can be deceiving. I had time to kill so why not? I was pleasantly surprised by its peacefulness (there were very few tourists - almost none on Monday morning) as it's inside a lush forest. There are a number of small buildings to make it more interesting. There is a small cemetery (but it's best to admire it rather than go inside). Jojakko-ji not at all like Tenryu-ji but rather, a nature retreat.

The best part of this temple is the view from the top. It's AMAZING but you wouldn't know unless you go all the way up the stairs, which many people seem to miss. You have a skyline view of Kyoto and the mountains. Personally, I think that the view and the natural serenity is worth the price of admission.

Jojakmo-ji is a hidden gem that's a 5-minute walk from the bamboo forest. Maybe not so...