Kegonji (Suzumushidera) Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

Kegonji (Suzumushidera) Temple, also known as 鈴虫寺, is a truly serene and unique place to visit, offering a peaceful and reflective experience in the heart of nature. Located in a scenic area, the temple is famous for its tranquil atmosphere and its special connection to crickets (suzumushi). From the moment you arrive, you'll notice the calming environment that surrounds you.

One of the first things that stands out is the warm hospitality. As you enter the temple, you're invited to remove your shoes, which is typical in many traditional Japanese temples, helping maintain the purity of the space. After you’ve settled in, visitors are offered tea, creating a welcoming atmosphere that enhances the overall peacefulness of the place. The tea itself is a simple yet delightful gesture, encouraging visitors to pause and reflect.

The temple’s preacher, often the highlight of the visit, shares insightful teachings during the service. The way he speaks is humble and deeply rooted in traditional Buddhist wisdom, adding a layer of spiritual depth to your experience. The preacher’s calm presence helps guide you into a state of mindfulness, encouraging you to take in both the serene environment and the deeper meaning of the space.

What truly makes Suzumushidera stand out is the unique use of cricket sounds, a concept that’s cleverly integrated into the temple experience. The temple has cabinets that house crickets, and their chirping is used as a form of natural music that blends harmoniously with the environment. The gentle sounds of the crickets create an almost meditative soundtrack, enhancing the tranquil vibe of the temple.

The garden surrounding the temple is another highlight. With carefully manicured plants, winding paths, and a peaceful pond, the garden is a perfect place to wander and reflect. The natural beauty of the space makes it feel like a sanctuary, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's a place where you can simply sit, take in the surroundings, and connect with nature.

Adding to the convenience, the temple offers charging stations for mobile devices, making it a practical stop for modern travelers who might need to recharge their phones while enjoying the spiritual atmosphere.

In summary, Kegonji (Suzumushidera) Temple is a wonderful destination for anyone seeking peace, reflection, and a break from the usual tourist spots. Its peaceful atmosphere, the unique experience with the cricket sounds, the beautiful garden, and the warm hospitality all combine to create an experience that feels both authentic and refreshing. Whether you're interested in spirituality, nature, or simply enjoying a moment of calm, this temple offers a memorable and...

Just another business-oriented temple with some clever ideas to make money. Very bad attitude to the visitors. You don’t feel the spirits and depth of a Buddhist temple there. Rude, arrogant, impatient and no compassion. The monk who gives the talk (preach) is repeating the same content to every group of visitors as if he were just a voice recorder.

I’m also skeptical about the way they breed the crickets. Why would a Buddhist temple do something like this that against the nature?

Do not go there if you do not understand Japanese - as it is compulsory to sit in the hall to listen to the monk’s 30-minute talk first. It is the main part of the visit and what you are paying for, as there is nothing else to see in the temple (even the garden is just a small ordinary garden). You are also NOT allowed to stroll around by yourself in the garden freely without listening to the talk first. And the talk is mainly advertisement about their talismans and also confectionery etc (as souvenirs) which their main purpose is to lure you to buy them after the talk (the talk itself is shallow and has nothing related to Buddha’s teaching unfortunately - which you can simply tell by the attitude of the monks there). Whenever you go or no matter how many times you visit, the content of the talk...

Suzumushi Temple was built in 1723 by Saint Hotan. Its official name is Myotokuzan Kegon-ji. Suzumushi means crickets in English. Hotan was famous as a hard-working Buddhist monk. There is one sect of Buddhism called “Kegon,” but because of its strictness, the number of monks undertaking Kegon was decreasing and the religion was dying out. The situation prompted Hotan to try and revive Kegon. He studied Buddhism and philosophy widely and tried to spread Kegon to monks. It is also said that he was the first to make a world map which put India (the origin of Buddhism) at the center of the world. When he saw the map that Europeans brought to Japan, he just was compelled to create a new type of map. The map is very valuable historically. Why don't you visit Matsuo Taisha Shrine on your way back to Katura station? It is only about 15 min walk. You will probably enjoy the rural atmosphere of this area....