Taizo-in
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
About
Taizo-in Zen Buddhist Temple has been beloved by people for more than 600 years. It showcases a dry landscape garden by Kano Motonobu, a Zen painting "Catching a Catfish with a Gourd", known as "Hyonenzu" and a Japanese botanical pond garden "Yoko-en" with Suikinkutsu, which is an ornament for the garden as well as a music device named after a Japanese musical instrument, Koto. Access BY TRAIN: Take a JR train on Sagano Line. 12min. from Kyoto Station. Please get off at Hanazono Station. 7 minute walk from Hanazono Station. BY BUS: Several buses are available from the major tourist sites in Kyoto. Please get off at either Myoshinji-mae Stop or Myoshinji Kitamon-mae Stop.
Duration: < 1 hour
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Neighbourhood: Western Kyoto
Western Kyoto is home to some of the city's best eccentricities. Kyoto's Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street takes visitors back in time to the Meiji Period, where old homes have been transformed into tea houses and eateries. Pleasure boats drift down the riverbank, under wooden bridges that beckon nature lovers to hiking trails and botanical walks. The area's famously tall bamboo groves, monkey park, and impressive vistas during the Hanami cherry blossom viewing season mean that it is busiest in warmer months, though also gorgeous in the fall, when the mountains and hills along the banks turn multi-colored. Historic and engaging, even the rail cars in Western Kyoto seek to exemplify its traditional nature and scenic beauty. Many people, including natives, come to visit the 1,200 rakan statues at the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, which is still in use as a religious site.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
111 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
38
Average
12
Poor
0
Terrible
1
carloscharmy
Bangkok, Thailand703 contributions
Mar 2023
Came here on a rainy Tuesday afternoon and we were like 4 people. It was lovely. Cherries were not in full bloom yet but it was totally worth it. Loved spending a few hours here.
Written 22 April 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.
Erkki N
Finland887 contributions
Oct 2019
Taizo-in is one of the highly rated Kyoto Gardens and righlty so. Taizo-in is one of the many subtemples of Myoshin-ji and easily found close to the south entrance to the complex. The Myoshin-ji compound resembles structurally that of the perhaps more famous Daitoku-ji, both are large areas with stone-paved streets and wider squares between temple halls and subtemples, many of which are not open to public.
Taizo-in provides many areas of beauty and has some rare characteristic features: the entrance to the garden area is dominated by a huge cherry tree that must be quite a sight at the cherry blossom season. Unfortunately I visited in October, missing this glory. The raked gravel fields on two sides of the entrance are of different color: the one on the right is of dark ravel rather than the more usual white one. The grooves are wide and deep, the display more dramatic than that of an average karesansui.
Deeper in the garden there is a pond and a stream flowing to it. Trees, bushes, water, form a harmonious setting, best viewed from the pergola at the deepest end of the garden. There is also a separate pavilion for enjoying green tea. One of the most beautiful sights during my Kyoto garden tour this time! I almost missed the rock garden behind the temple hall, but it can be seen from the far end of the area available for visitors and is very nice, more of a mainstream karesansui display.
Taizo-in provides many areas of beauty and has some rare characteristic features: the entrance to the garden area is dominated by a huge cherry tree that must be quite a sight at the cherry blossom season. Unfortunately I visited in October, missing this glory. The raked gravel fields on two sides of the entrance are of different color: the one on the right is of dark ravel rather than the more usual white one. The grooves are wide and deep, the display more dramatic than that of an average karesansui.
Deeper in the garden there is a pond and a stream flowing to it. Trees, bushes, water, form a harmonious setting, best viewed from the pergola at the deepest end of the garden. There is also a separate pavilion for enjoying green tea. One of the most beautiful sights during my Kyoto garden tour this time! I almost missed the rock garden behind the temple hall, but it can be seen from the far end of the area available for visitors and is very nice, more of a mainstream karesansui display.
Written 9 August 2020
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.
Thank you very much for your favorable comment. I deeply impressed with your profound knowledge of Japanese gardens and temples. Please visit us again in spring and enjoy weeping cherry trees in full bloom！
Written 3 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John W
Jindabyne, Australia492 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
The gem is the garden itself. It is small and exquisite. Easily missed around the end of the temple building is a small garden of boulders: stone boulders and bush boulders. The path enters the garden proper between two raked gravel beds, one light and one dark and then descends to the pond which is the main feature of the garden. It doesn't sound like much, but it is so artistically constructed and planted that it is worth a spell of quiet contemplation. Even in the drab tones of winter it is beautiful. When I first visited ten years ago it struck me as the loveliest garden I had ever seen.
The flaw in the gem is the commercialisation, which I do not remember from my previous visit. Admission costs 600 yen, twice the cost of admission to the great landscape gardens of Japan. There is a shop selling (tasteful of course) souvenirs and a tea house where one can buy and sip a matcha tea.
The flaw in the gem is the commercialisation, which I do not remember from my previous visit. Admission costs 600 yen, twice the cost of admission to the great landscape gardens of Japan. There is a shop selling (tasteful of course) souvenirs and a tea house where one can buy and sip a matcha tea.
Written 15 March 2020
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.
Thank you for your visiting our temple, and also thank you for your favorable comment. We appreciate you realize the beauty of our garden and its value. Please come back again season by season, then you will discover different scenery, I bet.
Written 23 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ccfchew_23
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia440 contributions
Nov 2019
One of my favourite temples of my recent trip. This temple is part of the myoshinji temple and is located very near a JR station.
This area is one where tourist generally would not come but if you want to experience quiet, serene and a lovely japanese garden, this place is a must. It is not a big garden, but it has lovely spots where you could sit and appreciate how japanese gardens are created where you find oasis in a city.
One would not imagine that you are 5 min away from a train station that is 15 mins away from Kyoto main station, but when you are here, you are transported to an area where you could find your inner self.
There are 2 garden, 1 is more of a rock garden close to the entrance whereas the other is a japanese garden with a pond of koi fish and wonderful trees that in my mind resembles an almost "Narnia" like land. There is also a tea area if you would like to sip some tea.
This area is one where tourist generally would not come but if you want to experience quiet, serene and a lovely japanese garden, this place is a must. It is not a big garden, but it has lovely spots where you could sit and appreciate how japanese gardens are created where you find oasis in a city.
One would not imagine that you are 5 min away from a train station that is 15 mins away from Kyoto main station, but when you are here, you are transported to an area where you could find your inner self.
There are 2 garden, 1 is more of a rock garden close to the entrance whereas the other is a japanese garden with a pond of koi fish and wonderful trees that in my mind resembles an almost "Narnia" like land. There is also a tea area if you would like to sip some tea.
Written 14 December 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.
RandM281211
Dubai, United Arab Emirates45 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Kyoto for 3 days isn’t enough to see all the amazing and beautiful things it offers. However, i only picked this temple, among many others I visited here, because it was literally breathtaking to be there. Highly spiritual too and it’ll make you feel calm and in peace - at least that’s how i felt. Can’t wait to travel back to Kyoto and see it in scoring when it is all blossoming. Really gorgeous. M x
Written 8 July 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.
Thank you for your visiting our temple, and also thank you for choosing our temple as your best among numerous temples and shrines in Kyoto. We are also glad that you fully enjoyed staying here. I hope you will come back again soon when the corona settles down.
Written 30 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Szabolcs H
Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic21 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We have spent quite a long time just sitting on the bench processing the most tranquile and most beautiful japan garfen I have seen in my life!
6 stars!
6 stars!
Written 30 May 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.
Thank you for your visiting our temple, and also thank you for 6 stars! We appreciate you realize the beauty of our garden and its value, and we are glad that you stayed a very good time at our temple. Please come back again soon shen the corona settles down !
Written 30 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
carole c
Brisbane, Australia34 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
Lovely place to spend an afternoon. Relaxing and peaceful. Would recommend for anyone visiting Hanazono
Written 14 April 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.
Thank you for your visiting our temple, and also thank you for your recommendation. We are glad that you enjoyed relaxing and peaceful time here. Please come back again when the corona settles down!
Written 30 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ArlettaC
Fairfield, CA1,146 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
This beautiful garden is tucked into a huge temple complex in Kyoto. It is as serene and tranquil a setting as one could possibly wish for. In particular, there is an exquisite small lake with benches for rest and contemplation. After a day of touring Kyoto sights, it was a wonderful respite. The garden is a lovely combination of sights and sounds and scents, to engage every human sense. Don't miss it.
Written 23 January 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.
Thank you for your visiting our temple, and also thank you for your favorable comment. We are glad that you enjoyed staying here. Sitting on the bench by the lake is definitely luxurious. Please come back again when the corona settles down.
Written 30 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
JDnk05
Chicago, IL99 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
This was my second trip to Kyoto, so I've done all the must see destinations previously and was looking more for a tourist free and peaceful place. Taizo-in is now my absolute favorite temple in Kyoto. I was there on a Thursday morning around 11am and was able to enjoy the garden all on my own. The garden is absolutely beautiful and you can enjoy a cup of matcha and a bean cake for 500 yen. If you're looking for an authentic/zen experience, this is the place for you.
Written 30 October 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.
Thank you for your visiting our temple, and also thank you for your favorable comment. We appreciate you realize the beauty of our garden and its value. And we are glad that you luckily monopolize our beautiful garden. Please come back again when the corona settles down.
Written 30 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kimitaka S
Taichung, Taiwan14,141 contributions
Taizoin is one of the affiliates of Myoshinji Temple. It is open to public. I heard that their cherry blossoms are beautiful, but unfortunately it was not the time as I visited. Their gardens with and without water are both very beautiful. Don't forget to take pictures!
Written 7 October 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.
Thank you for your visiting our temple and also making a favorable comment. We feel sorry that you couldn't see the cherry blossoms. It is absolutely breathtaking. Please come again and take a lot of pictures of them. We hope corona settles down soon.
Written 2 August 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Taizo-in
- Hotels near Taizo-in:
- (0.21 km) Myoshinji Daishin-in
- (0.27 km) Shunkoin Temple Guest House
- (0.25 km) Hanazono Kaikan
- (0.28 km) The Limelight Kyoto
- (0.30 km) Torinin Shukubo
- Restaurants near Taizo-in:
- (0.03 km) Taizo-in
- (0.19 km) Ajiro
- (0.21 km) Taketori
- (0.23 km) La Cigale
- (0.23 km) Gyoza no Osho Hanazono