Saihō-ji (Koke-dera) Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

The moss gardens are certainly beautiful but the monks/staff at this temple are incredibly rude and arrogant. This isn't some random "ugly tourist" speaking - I might very well have visited more Buddhist temples than the very people working here. I was here with a group of elderly people once and asked politely if they had any more chairs for the sutra copying in the beginning (sitting on the floor isn't something that's easily accomplished for a lot of 70 year old Westerners). I wasn't demanding, I was merely inquiring. The guy looked at me as if I had commanded him to bring me their best champagne, pronto... he just spat out "you should have come earlier!", his face contorted with contempt. I was really taken aback as I'd never experienced anything like this in Japan previously. We could have come earlier, yes, but what about the other elderly people who were already using the available chairs, then? A normal, sane person would just have apologized; "sorry, we don't have quite enough chairs", and that would have been it.

It's not worth the hassle with the postcards just to be treated like an unwelcome intruder in the end, and despite the limitations, the place still manages to get really crowded. Go to one of the many other similar temples in Kyoto instead and skip the crowds, the 'tude and the ridiculous entrance fees. Gio-ji in Arashiyama is a favorite of mine. Sanzen-in in Ohara is great for a...

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...

I've read some reviews that this temple is expensive and not worth it, and I 100% completely disagree. This is the most beautiful, peaceful, and extraordinary place I've ever been. I signed up 3 weeks before online. It's a little tricky since I was coming from the US and the website and info is in Japanese, but I was able to do it. You can only make reservations for 2 people, and we were 3 in my group, so I used 2 different email addresses. The day before they send you a reminder email and then you just show them your reservation number.

Copying the sutras was so peaceful and unqiue using the brush pen they provided. There's no rush and you just slowly trace the symbols. Then you have access to the garden and grounds. Words cannot describe the beauty. There were colors of green I didn't know existed. With running water and koi fish, the experience was amazing.

This place was the highlight of our 14 day Japan trip and I would love to visit again. Highly, highly recommend if you can...