Hokyoin
Kyoto Prefecture · Japan
First, we escape the tourist trail to visit a hidden temple known only to locals. Enclosed by mud walls and vibrant maple trees, this temple offers a perfect example of a "Moss Garden." Unlike the grand, open temples, this intimate sanctuary allows you to experience true "Wabi-Sabi"—the beauty of imperfection and tranquility.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Hokyoin, a serene Rinzai Zen temple located in the heart of Kyoto's famous Arashiyama district. While many visitors flock to the nearby bamboo groves and grander temple complexes, Hokyoin remains something of a hidden…
Listen in the app2The Sanmon Entrance Gate
We begin our visit at the Sanmon, the modest but elegant entrance gate of Hokyoin. In Zen Buddhism, the Sanmon represents the three gates of liberation: emptiness, formlessness, and desirelessness. …
Listen in the app3The Moss Garden and Stone Path
As we move further into the grounds, we find ourselves on a stone path that meanders through a lush carpet of moss. In Kyoto, moss is not merely a ground cover; it is a prized element of garden design, representing age,…
Listen in the app4The Main Hall and the Veranda
The Honden, or Main Hall, of Hokyoin is a structure of quiet dignity. While the current building is a more recent reconstruction from the early twentieth century, it follows the traditional architectural styles of the temple's…
Listen in the app5The Memorial Pagodas of Historical Figures
In a secluded corner of the garden stand the memorial stone pagodas that give the temple its name. Most notably, Hokyoin is the final resting place for the remains of Ashikaga Yoshiakira, the second Shogun of the Ashikaga…
Listen in the app6The Maple Grove: A Symphony of Red
Hokyoin is widely regarded as one of the best spots in Kyoto for viewing autumn colors, and this reputation is largely due to its extraordinary maple grove. The temple grounds are home to numerous varieties of maple trees, each…
Listen in the app7The Rear Garden and Meditation Path
As we reach the furthest part of the grounds, the garden becomes even more wild and naturalistic. The rear garden of Hokyoin is designed to feel like a deep mountain retreat, even though we are only a short distance from the…
Listen in the app8Closing
Our visit to Hokyoin concludes, but the sense of tranquility we have found here can be carried with us. We have walked paths that have been trodden for nearly a thousand years, seen gardens that capture the fleeting beauty of the…
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What is Hokyoin?
Hokyoin is a place in Kyoto Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Kyoto Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.0225, 135.6736 |
| Last updated |
