Choose to come to the Seoren-in Monastery in Higashiyama District, Kyoto during the fall season to appreciate the beauty of this Japanese-style garden with twinkling green lanterns. During the peak season for cherry blossom and maple viewing, the happiest thing to do when visiting Kyoto is to participate in nighttime viewing activities. Nightlife in Kyoto is usually relatively quiet, mainly concentrated in indoor venues such as izakayas or department stores. However, every spring and autumn, with the cherry blossoms and maple leaves in full bloom, visiting at night becomes an experience that travelers cannot miss.
2018 Special Night Visit to the Qinglian-in Monument: An Excellent Experience of Appreciating the Maple Night View
The details of the night lighting and special viewing activities held every year at the Qingren-in Gate will be announced on the official website. During this period, the famous "blue starlight carpet" view is a beauty that can only be appreciated at night. Readers who are planning to go are advised to check the official website in advance and pay attention to the opening date for night viewing to ensure not to miss this visual feast.
◎ The reminder period
– 2018年3月9日（金）～3月18日（日）
– 2018年3月30日（金）～4月8日（日）
– 2018年4月27日（金）～5月6日（日）
◎ Opening reminder time
– 18:00～22:00
◎ Suspension Gold
-Individuals: 800 yen for adults, 400 yen for elementary, middle and high students
How to get to the Seoren-in Monastery in Kyoto?
The Qoren-in Monastery is located in Higashiyama District, Kyoto City, with convenient transportation. You can take the Kyoto Metro Tozai Line, get off at Higashiyama Station, and walk about 600 meters to get there. In addition, it is very convenient to take the Kyoto City Bus. You can easily get there by taking Routes 5, 46, or 100 and getting off at "Jingu-michi" station, or taking Routes 201, 202, 203, or 206 and getting off at "Chionin-mae" station.
Seoren-in is close to famous attractions such as Chion-in Temple and Maruyama Park, making it an ideal place to stop by after a visit to Gion. If your physical strength allows, you can also go to Shogunzuka Qingryuden, which is attached to Qinglian Temple. The two offer combined ticket discounts, but please note that Shogun Tomb is located at the top of Higashiyama and the walk is more strenuous. It is recommended to take the No. 70 Keihan Bus up the mountain to make the journey to Novice Village easier.
▲ Qinglianyuan adopts a revolving garden design.
The night lights at the gates of Qinglianyuan Temple
Qinglian-in (しょうれんいん) is one of the five major monuments of the Tendai Sect in Kyoto, alongside Manshu-in, Bishamontang, Sanzen-in and Myo-won. It is located in Higashiyama District, Kyoto City and was founded by Xinggen. If you have the opportunity to visit during the day, you can take a bus to Shogunzhong after visiting Seiren-in Temple to enjoy the magnificent night view of Kyoto from another angle, just like enjoying the night view at Kiyomizu Temple. However, we chose to visit Seiren-in at night this time, especially to enjoy its nighttime viewing of red leaves.
Qinglianyuan adopts a tour-style garden design. It is open for night viewing in spring and autumn. Visitors can sit indoors and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the garden leisurely. Although it is very common in Japanese gardens to sit and watch the scenery, the most famous lighting scene at Seoren-in is undoubtedly the clusters of flashing cyan lights, which seem to be the blooming green lotus and the scenery of Seoren-in. The names complement each other, which is also the biggest feature of Qinglianyuan’s night worship.
▲We got off at the bus stop sign "in front of Zhien Temple", and after walking through Huading Road, turn left into Jingong Road and you will arrive at Qinglianyuan.
▲ Qinglianyuan and General Tomb have a common worship scroll, but they are suitable for daytime use because the distance between the two places is too far.
▲ The artistic conception decorated with azure light is fully in line with the name of Qinglianyuan.
▲ When we came to Qinglianyuan at night, we started to slow down and order some matcha and snacks. The atmosphere was just right.
▲Returning garden design, the most difficult thing to avoid from taking pictures is people!Enjoy our refreshments at ease.
▲ Japanese steamed buns are completely different from Chinese steamed buns. There are many types, more like steamed buns or dim sum.
The remains of the Qinglian-in Gate of the Tendai Sect in Kyoto.しょうれんいん
- Address: 69-1 Sanjobo-cho, Awataguchi, Higashiyama-san District, Kyoto Prefecture
- Phone: +81 75-561-2345
- Business hours: 09:00~17:00
- Official website: http://www.shorenin.com/
