Sep. 23, 2020 UPDATE

Shoju-in Temple

- 正寿院 -
Traveler Friendly
Going to this temple by taking a bus might be a bit hard for first timers, for whom we recommend taking a taxi.
Information
Japanese
Languages spoken
Japanese
2614 6 7.7 1 reviews
Sep. 23, 2020 UPDATE

Shoju-in Temple

- 正寿院 -
Traveler Friendly
Going to this temple by taking a bus might be a bit hard for first timers, for whom we recommend taking a taxi.
Information
Japanese
Languages spoken
Japanese
2614 6 7.7 1 reviews
Story & Recommendation
Shoju-in is a temple in Kyoto famous for its heart-shaped Inome-window and 160 ceiling paintings
Shoju-in Temple (Shojuin) is an hour’s bus ride away from JR Uji Station, and the temple is in Ujitawara, an area famous for producing quality tea. The temple has been getting more and more popular on Instagram and Twitter lately among young Japanese women. Shoju-in is said to have been first built around 800 years ago, so even though the temple is small, it has a very long history behind it. In the main hall the temple treasures their main Buddhist statue, an 11-faced statue of Kannon Bosatsu which is only shown to the public once every 50 years. The reason for this temple’s popularity among the young women of Japan is in their heart-shaped Inome-window which is said to bring in happiness, and in the 160 ceiling paintings of the temple. Together these two things make this place one of the most photogenic temples in Kyoto. Every year from July 1 to September 18 you can see and hear the Furin Matsuri wind chime festival at the temple with 2,000 wind chimes. In this area, the summer temperature is usually around 5 degrees Celsius lower than in downtown, so this event is a great way to enjoy a cooler summer in Kyoto.
  • Sharing Kyoto Staff
    Vanessa's Comment
User Reviews
7.7 Great
experience8.0 access6.0 photogenic9.0
mama - Honduras
Sep. 20, 2018
Details
Open Hours
From April to October: 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. November to March:9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Reservations
Not accepted.
Closed
From December 26 to January 4.
Price range
Entrance fee is 600 yen and includes tea and a Japanese sweet. Furin Matsuri wind chime festival :800 yen and includes tea and a Japanese sweet. Special Night Entrance:800 yen without tea and a Japanese sweet.
Credit cards
Not accepted.
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