Koshoji Temple

Koshoji Temple

Koshoji Temple
4
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The area

Address
Neighborhood: Southern Kyoto
Southern Kyoto has a reserved air. Though the Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto's major tourist attractions, the surrounding nature, parks, gardens, temples, and shrines provide less-visited spaces for strolling and reflection. The Fushimi Inari Shrine itself is made up of 32,000 sub-shrines, and the mountain they are dotted across beckons hikers, picnickers, and lovers of the outdoors. Many of the mountain's off-set paths aren't frequented by tourists, and the mountain's serenity can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Southern Kyoto is the place to enjoy being outside, and to pay your respects to the ancient architecture and gods of the land that are celebrated here.
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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.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles83 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
50
Average
16
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Zfy Ed
Singapore, Singapore10,997 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
This is a big temple with nice and serene temple grounds in the city but surprisingly is not as crowded as other temples and also very few foreign visitors. We passed by this temple after visiting the railway museum. It took us about 25mins of walk here.

Koshoji is a Shingon Buddhist temple and can lay claim to having the only wooden pagoda in the Tokai area and a beautiful, modern garden in the rear of the temple complex.

It had a serene and quiet ambience and we were fortunate (or not) for seeing one of the tree with yellow leaves (think that's the last one from the falls).

We made a short photo stop here before moving on to our next destination. If you are into buddhism, you may like to dropby here for a visit.
Written January 25, 2023
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.

Monique1794
343 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
I visited many temples, day and night. this temple show you fantastic illumination view for night. The just start this event very recentry.

real training temple for young monks, and you experience their trainings if you would like to. big and authentic temple but not popular site as sight seeing spot.

When I visit the night, it was dark hard rain. The leader of monks offered us to gives ride to station.
Written May 3, 2022
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.

Robinyy
Wiesbaden, Germany343 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2012 • Couples
This is one of the few Soto Zen temples in the greater Kyoto area. It was the first temple founded by the great Zen Master Dogen (13th century) who wrote some of his most important works here. The temple (was) burnt down after a few years and Dogen went on to found Eiheiji. Koshoji was forgotten until it was rebuilt in the 17th century and furtunatelly was not damaged until now. These buildings could host more than 100 monks but only 8 live there right now. You can ring at the building on the right side of the inner court. A monk will probably come and allow you to visit the main hall and the founders building. The very friendly Tenzo (priest and cook) speeks some English. Ask for the English one-pager that provides key information This temple is a place of Zen practice and not a tourist showplace. It is worth visiting to taste the spirit of practice and to enjoy the great setting of this temple.
Written October 18, 2012
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.

YTCHENG
Hong Kong, China15,379 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2019
We have visited the temple by end Nov. and it was a bit late for viewing foliage falls there. Anyway, we could still see color changes around.
Written December 9, 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.

Lyndell S
13 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
Slightly off the beaten path in Uji, Koshoji was a beautiful way to spend a few hours. Volunteer guides escorted us around the premises and filled us in on the amazing history of the temple. As a functioning temple, monks in residence were in training, and the grounds were extensive and beautiful. More for the crowd looking for an authentic cultural experience and exchange than for the Instagram crowd. That said, I have some stunning photos that will keep my memories of this beautiful place fresh.
Written September 21, 2024
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.

Rob C
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Solo
This temple is the most serene and beautiful place I've been to in my life. There was an almost unique calm and quiet there. Despite being only slightly off the beaten track, and in an area of overall outstanding beauty, it was only me, a few gardeners, the monks and a tiny handful of other visitors.
Written April 21, 2024
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.

YTCHENG
Hong Kong, China15,379 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Couples
The Koshoji Temple up the slope from Uji Riverside was a quiet place during our visit there by early April. We just strolled around and took a few photos prior to leave for other places along the river. Recommended.
Written April 18, 2018
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.

Trish W
Hastings, UK94 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2018 • Couples
It is quite a long slope up to this temple but se really liked so worth the walk. Not very big but peaceful. There were only two other tourists at this site so could easily walk round and take photographs. It's free to walk the grounds/gardens but ring the bell to pay for viewing inside the temple buildings.
Written March 22, 2018
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.

ithappens2013
Calgary, Canada70 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Friends
The temple is located on the top of a hill will be seen after you walk over a nice slope. A view from inside the temple looks like a beautiful picture with nice frame.
Written November 25, 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.

Md Maruf Haque K
Dhaka City, Bangladesh378 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Friends
This place is small but beautiful! Near to the Uji River, opposite site of the Byodoin temple. No fee needed to enter this temple.
Written June 21, 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.

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Koshoji Temple, Uji

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