Eikando Introduction
Eikando Overview
Eikando is a temple of the Shokokuji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto. It is especially well known for its autumn foliage, which attracts many tourists in autumn. Eikando is a place where visitors can enjoy the unique atmosphere of Kyoto with its beautiful garden and architecture.
History and Origin
Eikando was built in 1186 during the late Heian period (794-1185). It is said to have been built at the behest of Emperor Takakura, grandson of Taira no Kiyomori. The name Eikando is said to have come from the Zen master Dogen, who founded the temple, in the hope that visitors would "gain enlightenment by looking at the temple for a long time. Along with its historical value, the temple is known for its beautiful autumn foliage.
Garden and Autumn Foliage
Eikando's garden is known as the "Kamakura Garden" and is regarded as a representative work of Japanese gardening. The autumn leaves are especially beautiful in the fall, when the entire garden is dyed in red and yellow. In addition, there are ponds of various sizes in the garden, and the autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the ponds create a fantastic atmosphere.
Architecture and Buddhist Statues
The main hall of Eikando is designated as a National Treasure and is a massive wooden structure. Inside the main hall, many Buddhist statues and paintings are enshrined and are of great historical value. In particular, the statue of the Thousand-Armed Kannon enshrined in the main hall is considered especially important as a national treasure.
How to Access
Eikando is conveniently accessible by bus or subway from Kyoto City. In particular, it can be reached on foot from the Eikando-mae bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus. In the surrounding area, there are many tourist attractions such as the Philosophical Path and Heian Shrine, which are worth visiting for tourists.
Impressions of having been there
Eikando is a temple of the Shokokuji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, and is known for its beautiful autumn leaves. I visited Eikando on a beautiful autumn day when the leaves were at their best. As soon as I stepped into the precincts of the temple, I was greeted with a spectacular view of the autumn leaves.
The grounds of Eikando are vast, and especially famous is the view of the pond reflecting the pagoda called "Ginkaku" (Silver Pavilion). The reflection of the Ginkakuji and the autumn leaves on the pond was beautiful and created a fantastic atmosphere. In addition, many maple trees were planted in the precincts of the temple, and the sight of the red and yellow colored trees swaying in the wind was like a painting.
When I entered the main hall of Eikando, I was breathtaken by the beauty of the interior, which was also decorated with magnificent autumn leaves. Inside the main hall, there is a seating area where visitors can relax and enjoy the autumn leaves. Also, strolling through the garden and corridors, I could feel not only the autumn leaves but also seasonal flowers and the beauty of nature.
Although Eikando is well known for its autumn foliage, it is a place where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery even during other seasons. In particular, the cherry blossoms in spring and the greenery in summer are also wonderful, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery in each of the four seasons. The area around Eikando is also a comfortable place for tourists, with quiet streets and many good restaurants.
Eikando was a place where visitors could fully experience the charm of Kyoto with its beautiful autumn leaves, seasonal scenery, and historical buildings. When you visit Kyoto, be sure to visit Eikando as well.