Admission
Free
Higashiyama, Kyoto Prefecture
At a Glance
Ryosoku-in is a Zen Buddhist sub-temple of Kennin-ji, one of Kyoto's major Zen temple complexes in Gion.
The Bishamonten statue here escaped Oda Nobunaga's burning of Mt. Hiei in 1571 and was later owned by warlord Kuroda Nagamasa, making it a rare survivor of one of Japan's most destructive battles.
Hanshin Tigers fans flock here to see the A-Un Tiger statues, since Bishamonten's messenger is the tiger—even the incense burners and lanterns are decorated with tigers throughout the temple grounds.
This temple offers 1 different goshuin designs
Regular
Free
Within 300 m Within 600 m
If you are interested in Buddhist practice, consider the extended meditation options: a 1.5-hour session with monastic vegetarian lunch for 2,500 yen, or a 2-hour session combining zazen with yoga and breathing exercises for 3,000 yen.
Check ahead for special opening dates; Ryosoku-in is usually closed and opens mainly for seasonal garden viewings and Zen experiences.
Plan your visit around a zazen meditation or sutra-copying session if you want entry beyond garden viewing periods.
Book your zazen meditation experience at least three days in advance through the official website, as sessions fill up quickly and require reservations.
Visit in early summer to catch the seasonal hangesho foliage, one of Ryosoku-in's best-known highlights.
Visit during early summer (June to mid-July) to see the rare hangesho plants by the pond, whose leaves turn white as if blooming. This special garden viewing period requires a 1,000 yen admission fee for adults.
Choose Ryosoku-in for a quieter temple visit; its calm garden and limited public access suggest a more tranquil atmosphere than always-open sites.
Visit the Bishamonten Hall in the corner of the temple grounds to see the tiger decorations including the A-un Tiger statues, incense burner, and lanterns.
The temple is usually closed to the public and only opens during special viewing periods (typically June 1 to mid-July for hangesho garden viewing and New Year season for fusuma paintings) or for pre-booked meditation and sutra-copying experiences, so check the official website schedule before planning your visit.
Experience
Fascinating facts about this place
Ryosoku-in is a Zen Buddhist sub-temple of Kennin-ji, one of Kyoto's major Zen temple complexes in Gion.
The Bishamonten statue here escaped Oda Nobunaga's burning of Mt. Hiei in 1571 and was later owned by warlord Kuroda Nagamasa, making it a rare survivor of one of Japan's most destructive battles.
Hanshin Tigers fans flock here to see the A-Un Tiger statues, since Bishamonten's messenger is the tiger—even the incense burners and lanterns are decorated with tigers throughout the temple grounds.
In early summer, hangesho plants by the pond turn their leaves white as if blooming—a rare botanical phenomenon that triggers special garden viewings from June through mid-July each year.
Share how your visit was to help other travelers.
More ways to continue from this place.