Enkoji Temple
Enkoji Temple
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
197 reviews
Excellent
97
Very good
84
Average
14
Poor
0
Terrible
2
hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,449 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
A great day can be made of visiting the temples in Northern Higashiyama. City bus 5 can be your transport to these hidden gems.
It’s an easy walk from the bus stop up hill toward Shinsendo and Enkoji. We decided that Enkoji was the place to hit first before the crowds arrived, despite the fact that the security guard on the street aimed us towards Shinsendo.
The walk through residential streets was interesting on its own but that’s not why we came here. The public toilet at a crossroad along the route is definitely a good thing for visitors to know about, but that too was not our goal.
Foliage, fine buildings, gardens, and few tourists - that’s what we were after. We found almost all of this - the goal of few tourists is almost elusive in peak foliage time. But we were charmed and pleased by our visit to this area.
After paying our ¥500 entry fee we immediately bogged down at the top of the stairs. The Zen garden had some fantastic rocks and patterned raked sand and this was only the first of the two very different gardens here. When we noticed several Japanese tour groups arriving we realized we had to move along in hopes of keeping ahead of the crowds. The longer we stayed at Enkoji, the more visitors arrived. Get here early!
On our way to the stroll garden, we paused to view the painted screens open to viewing from the outside. The elegant floral and bird painting is worth several photos, especially if you can find it clear of other photographers.
Everyone stops to listen to the water dripping into the small basin but it was almost too noisy to hear, even in this relatively quiet site; but listening through the bamboo tube you can easily hear the pleasant dripping sound.
We spent a bit of time in the meditation hall, photoing the garden between the pillars. The view of the profusion of maples of various colors changes as you move around the hall.
After strolling amongst the trees, plants, ponds, rocks, statues, and lanterns, we visit the second hall. A window here looks out onto the garden and a photo of this is often used in literature about Enkoji. We both decide to shoot it as well. (There’s a toilet in this building should you need it)
Be sure to take the path located behind the temple which climbs up a steep hill. From the top there is a good over view of the temple compound and the city beyond. The path goes by the graveyard which is also worth a brief look. Returning to the Zen garden near the entrance we stopped for the clear view of Kyoto and mountains stretching out in all directions.
After an hour and a half we felt as if we’ve seen and photographed everything we wanted to and we were satisfied we got our ¥500 worth.
It’s an easy walk from the bus stop up hill toward Shinsendo and Enkoji. We decided that Enkoji was the place to hit first before the crowds arrived, despite the fact that the security guard on the street aimed us towards Shinsendo.
The walk through residential streets was interesting on its own but that’s not why we came here. The public toilet at a crossroad along the route is definitely a good thing for visitors to know about, but that too was not our goal.
Foliage, fine buildings, gardens, and few tourists - that’s what we were after. We found almost all of this - the goal of few tourists is almost elusive in peak foliage time. But we were charmed and pleased by our visit to this area.
After paying our ¥500 entry fee we immediately bogged down at the top of the stairs. The Zen garden had some fantastic rocks and patterned raked sand and this was only the first of the two very different gardens here. When we noticed several Japanese tour groups arriving we realized we had to move along in hopes of keeping ahead of the crowds. The longer we stayed at Enkoji, the more visitors arrived. Get here early!
On our way to the stroll garden, we paused to view the painted screens open to viewing from the outside. The elegant floral and bird painting is worth several photos, especially if you can find it clear of other photographers.
Everyone stops to listen to the water dripping into the small basin but it was almost too noisy to hear, even in this relatively quiet site; but listening through the bamboo tube you can easily hear the pleasant dripping sound.
We spent a bit of time in the meditation hall, photoing the garden between the pillars. The view of the profusion of maples of various colors changes as you move around the hall.
After strolling amongst the trees, plants, ponds, rocks, statues, and lanterns, we visit the second hall. A window here looks out onto the garden and a photo of this is often used in literature about Enkoji. We both decide to shoot it as well. (There’s a toilet in this building should you need it)
Be sure to take the path located behind the temple which climbs up a steep hill. From the top there is a good over view of the temple compound and the city beyond. The path goes by the graveyard which is also worth a brief look. Returning to the Zen garden near the entrance we stopped for the clear view of Kyoto and mountains stretching out in all directions.
After an hour and a half we felt as if we’ve seen and photographed everything we wanted to and we were satisfied we got our ¥500 worth.
Written September 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosemary6015
227 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
Enkoji is one of the temples in Kyoto with colourful fall foliage around late November to early December. It is located slightly north east of Kyoto centre.
I started my journey slightly later of the day, around 9.30am from Kyoto Station and I reached Enkoji at about 10.30am by taking bus no.5. As the temple is not within the Kyoto city, it was not so crowded compared to the other famous temples.
The temple has a garden planted with lots of maple trees. During fall when I visited, the garden was at its peak colour. There are tiny stone statue hiding in the garden which worth a picture.
While this place was quieter compared to temples with big crowd, I was able to enjoy the time here at my peace.
I started my journey slightly later of the day, around 9.30am from Kyoto Station and I reached Enkoji at about 10.30am by taking bus no.5. As the temple is not within the Kyoto city, it was not so crowded compared to the other famous temples.
The temple has a garden planted with lots of maple trees. During fall when I visited, the garden was at its peak colour. There are tiny stone statue hiding in the garden which worth a picture.
While this place was quieter compared to temples with big crowd, I was able to enjoy the time here at my peace.
Written December 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jap-in-Singapore
Singapore, Singapore950 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
After entering the entrance something quite bold and modern looking garden will surprise you. A typical Zen garden with simple yet modern and bold, depicting a dragon rising to the sky. Then entering into the main building you can see a beautiful traditional garden; this season only greens everywhere. At Sui-kin-kutsu you will enjoy one of the most beautiful sound.
Written June 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andychupick
Chicago4 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The temple grounds and buildings are beautiful, and you can wander almost everywhere inside and out for just the small entry fee. They don't charge separately for every inner spot like many temples do. Pictures were allowed everywhere. Best of all, we were nearly alone the morning we visited, an amazing fact given the quality of the temple and the fact that it is in tourist-heavy Kyoto. Beautiful gardens of stone, trees, and moss. Lovely traditional interiors of tatami and Japanese screens. Be sure to have a seat on the tatami in the room that opens onto the garden. Combine a visit here with a trip to Nanzenji.
Written October 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonard G
New York257 contributions
Oct 2015
My wife and I visited the temple in October. We were delighted. Everything about the experience was enjoyable. There's a dry garden unlike any we have ever seen elsewhere. The moss garden is lovely, and although the bamboo grove is not large, it creates the illusion of being so. The temple is in northeast Kyoto, overlooking the city, and one of its trails climbs a wooded hill above the complex, providing a great view of the entire temple and the city as well. We went on a week day afternoon and nearly had the place to ourselves. There are a number equally interesting temples within walking distance of Enkoji. To get there from central Kyoto, you have your choice of bus or train. On the occasions we have visited this area, we have never encountered crowds.
Written October 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natalia N
15 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
My husband and I went to this temple after going to almost all the major turists attractions in Kyoto. So we really enjoyed the quiet and peaceful atmosphere that this temple has. Please do take a look at the small details that the garden has, as there are beautiful surprises hidden.
Written May 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
YSL88
Singapore, Singapore1,043 contributions
Nov 2016 • Couples
Enkoji temple is famous for its autumn colors. In its courtyard, there is a beautiful garden with many maple trees and sand design. Do not miss the short climb up the hill behind the garden to get a bird's eye view of the temple.
Written December 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
erikamix
Takarazuka, Japan8,655 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
This temple looks like museum. The main entrance was like really museum exhibition to me. It was very clean and new to this style. I am sure the red reaf time will be so lovely soon:)
Written September 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sbh_nomad
Bengaluru, India314 contributions
Nov 2015 • Family
This place is not on the usual tourist trail but an excellent place to enjoy autumn foliage. Its so peaceful to just sit in the temple and watch the garden spread in front of you. There is a small bamboo grove in the garden, much smaller version of what you see in Arashiyama. You can also cover the nearby temples of Shishen-do and Manshuin-Monzeki if you visit Enkoji.
Written December 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel C
Singapore169 contributions
Nov 2015
Must climb up. It's worth the effort. Nice roof top views with maples. There is a bamboo grove too. Very nice. If u have no time for the arashiyama one, this is a good alternative.
Written December 7, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Enkoji Temple
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