Zenho-ji Temple is located in the mountains southwest of Kyoto. It is famous for its spring cherry blossoms, early summer purple sun, autumn maple red, and winter snow scenes. However, the traffic from Kyoto is not complicated but time-consuming, and there are not many shifts, making a day trip impossible. In other places, fewer people take the initiative to enter the itinerary.On the second sprint to see the maple in Kyoto, Wendy couldn't insist on my insistence, and helped to enter the plan. Under the good weather, the maple leaves were golden, red, and orange, and they were beautiful!
Transportation and itinerary to Shanfeng Temple
During the first sprint to admire the maple, because the previous trip to Guangming Temple missed the bus time, it was impossible to go up the mountain to Shanfeng Temple, so you must be fully prepared for the second sprint.Early in the morning, I took the JR Kyoto Line at Kyoto Station and got off at Mukohmachi Station. I prepared to transfer to Hankyu Bus No. 66 at the station gate. I didn’t expect to arrive too early. The first bus to Zenkoji departed at 8:35. The two of them had to buy breakfast at the supermarket next to the station, and eat while blowing the cold wind until the bus departed.
Compared with the gentle slope of Guangming Temple, Shanfeng Temple, which is located in the nearby area, has a much more challenging slope. After taking a 40-minute bus ride up the mountain and getting off at Shanfeng Temple Station, the next step is to test your physical strength. At the moment, you have to walk all the way up to the gate of the temple, come on! (The official website of the temple states that it can be reached by walking for 8 minutes, but it took twice as long for the small ones...The physical strength is really bad...)
Related Reading ▶️In the official transportation plan of Kyoto Zenkoji (including JR Kyoto Line and Hankyu Bus No. 66 timetable)
▲ Currently only the Hankyu bus goes to Zenho-ji Temple, the only thing is that everyone should pay attentionLast departure time.
▲ A hard starting point.
▲ Although the climbing mountain road is tiring, the scenery along the way can't help but stop and watch.
▲ Arriving at the gate of the temple, couldn't help but cheer!
Shanfeng Temple Archives
In the middle of the Heian period (1029 AD), the master of Gentou opened the mountain here to enshrine the Avalokitesvara. It is collectively known as the three mountains of Kyoto’s West Hills along with Kwangji Temple and Yanggu Temple in Nagaokakyo City. Both are famous for viewing autumn leaves.Zenho-ji Temple was rebuilt with the subsidy of Keshoin Temple, the mother of Tsunayoshi Tokugawa, the fifth general of the Tokugawa shogunate, in exchange for the scale of the present temple, so there is a "Kaishoin Temple" in the temple.Why did Keeshoin build large-scale construction projects and build temples and shrines at that time?It turned out that Yu (real name, the third-generation Tokugawa Iemitsu side room) was pregnant and invited the monks at Ninwa Temple in Kyoto to pray for the success of the boy and the delivery. After the child was born, the monk told him that "this child is a noble face."Unexpectedly, the fourth-generation general Tokugawa Ietsuna passed away without leaving a successor. A minister recommended his half-brother Tokugawa Tsunayoshi as his successor. The mother of Keichangin returned to Edo Castle with her son, and she believed that fortune came from the gods and Buddhas. Blessed.
▲ List of fares for Shanfeng Temple.
▲ Receive tickets and temple profile.
▲ Guess what Omori I bought at the time?
Experiences of Maple Appreciation at Shanfeng Temple
We walked up from the mountain gate, Guanyin Hall, Bell Tower Hall, and Dabao Pagoda, and passed Inarisha, Yakushi Hall, and Amitabha Hall to reach the top position with a view of Kyoto. The physical strength is really unhelpful, Wendy I allowed me to take pictures and rest while I was walking and stopping. I didn’t expect to visit the whole temple at 12 o’clock. Looking back on these photos, I stayed for about 3 hours at the time. There were also some Japanese tourists along the way. Red leaves, photography, and not many people, are one of my favorite spots for viewing autumn leaves.Sitting on a stone bench by the road, there are only bright scenery and tranquil atmosphere, occasionally the sun shines on the body, and the mountains far away from the city are only clean air and grassy fragrance. If you have the opportunity to come to Keihan to enjoy the maple, Zhanfeng Temple is definitely worth coming here travel.
▲ Maple leaves after autumn are not completely red, but golden yellow!
▲ A scene outside the treasure hall of Wenshu Monastery.
▲ This is a weeping cherry tree that is more than 300 years old, planted by Guichangin.
▲ Guichangyuan writing (is it a waka?).
▲ Visiting on 11/21 was the best time to appreciate the maple.
▲Sakyado, check the official website to introduce the Meiji era to come here to pray for relief of low back pain and neuralgia, which is particularly effective!
▲ This is the maple forest in front of Inarisha, so beautiful that many photographers stop and take pictures here.
▲ After a leisurely walk around, I still tried my best to get up!
▲ Grasp the sunshine when admiring the maple. In good weather, you can capture the picture you want when you go out as early as possible.
▲ Finally, Xiaoxiao announced that the yushou bought at the mountain gate was... the yushou for Wendy's low back pain. (laugh)
Kyoto Nishiyama Zenfeng Temple
- Address: 〒610-1133 1372, Oharano Koshiocho, Nishikyo District, Kyoto City
- Phone: 075-331-0020
- Opening hours: 08:00～17:00
- Official website: http://www.yoshiminedera.com/index.html
