[2025 Kyoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Nison-in Temple (Updated May)

The tranquility in Arashiyama was contagious, despite the throngs of tourists everywhere at the red foliage season. At Nison-in Temple, I felt an indescribable sensation when I heard the ringing of its temple belfry. It was more than calmness — the auditory stimulation touched off a spiritual yearning for joy, gratefulness and fulfillment. And then the bell rang again, and then again, and then again. I realized that people were lining up at the belfry to do a prayerful ritual. Indeed, it was the sound from the Bell of Happiness, the sonoric reminder of life’s blessings. The name Nison-in refers to the two revered images that are the resident deities in the Nison-in Temple, with Amida Nyorai on the left and Shaka Nyorai on the right. According to the temple leaflet, Shaka Nyorai “is the one is the one who sends those seeking rebirth in paradise from this side of the world… Amida Nyorai receives them on the other side. The pair represents the beginning and the end of one’s life.” The temple came from the early Heian period, circa 834 A.D., by the order of Emperor Saga. At Nison-in Temple, I found an unlikely gem. Beyond the proper grounds for temple structures, I came upon a cemetery. That was where I felt the most at ease that morning, with a sober respect for the spirited, yet also joyful in celebrating the tranquility that lied before my eyes. A few notable people are buried here at the cemetery of Nison-in. Three emperors were entombed here, Emperor Tsuchimikado, Emperor Go-Saga and Emperor Kameyama. The Mausoleum of Priest Tanku is also inside the temple. I did not see one soul that ventured into this part of the temple. The seclusion was golden. #japan #kyoto #arashiyama #nisonintemple #历史古迹 #buddhism #heianperiod #二尊寺 #royaltomb #redfoliage #historicallandmarks

Autumn trip to Kyoto 11/15🍁 This is what I recommend this time✨ Time travel to the Muromachi period⁉️【Nison-in Temple】✨ Address: 27 Nagagami-cho, Monzen Saga Nison-in Temple, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8425 The temple blends into nature and has buildings from the Muromachi period, the remains of Shiguretei, which was written about in the Hyakunin Isshu poems, and a little mountain climbing. The view from the top of the mountain offers a panoramic view of Arashiyama, so if you are confident in your physical strength, be sure to visit✨ It's worth seeing and more than worth the price, so I recommend it✨ Admission fee: 500 yen for junior high school students and above Visiting hours: 9:00~16:30 #Kyoto sightseeing #Autumn trip #Amazing view

This is the place I recommend this time✨ This is Nison-in Temple, which enshrines the two Buddhas Shaka Nyorai and Amida Nyorai✨ Address: 27 Nagagami-cho, Saga Nison-in Monzen, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8425 There are many photo spots, the grounds are large, and there are plenty of things to see🍁 I stopped by because I heard it's famous for its autumn leaves, but the well-maintained Japanese garden and the ringing bells make it a must-see when you come to Arashiyama✨ Opening hours: 9:00~16:30 Admission fee: 500 yen for junior high school students and above #Kyoto sightseeing #autumn trip #great view

Autumn trip to Kyoto 11/15🍁 This is what I recommend this time✨ It is Nison-in Temple, which spreads out at the foot of Ogurayama, which is also mentioned in the Hyakunin Isshu✨ Address: 27 Nagagamicho, Saga Nison-in Monzen, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8425 I visited this place because I heard it is famous as a famous spot for viewing autumn leaves, and it was well-maintained and had a great view, so I was able to enjoy the changing colors of the leaves✨ Admission fee: 500 yen for junior high school students and above Opening hours: 9:00~16:30 #Kyoto sightseeing #breathtaking views

\\Tourist Spots// Nison-in Temple is located about a 20-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station. It is a temple that spreads out at the foot of "Ogurayama", which is also mentioned in the Hyakunin Isshu. You can walk from the station, so it is recommended for those who want to spend a leisurely time while strolling. The autumn leaves on the approach to the temple were very beautiful! Kyoto is popular throughout the year, but it is especially popular during the autumn leaves season, when you can enjoy wonderful views. Visited: December 1, 2019 Facility name📍 Nison-in Temple Address📍 27 Nagagami-cho, Saga Nison-in Monzen, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture #Autumn leaves spot #Light up #Kyoto sightseeing #Autumn leaves viewing #Autumn trip #Kyoto trip #Historic site

#MarchGoodPlaces2025 Kyoto, Japan is a world-famous tourist resort city. Every day, thousands of tourists come here for sightseeing and vacation. There are many temple attractions in Kyoto. This time I will introduce a very famous temple attraction in Kyoto: Nison-in Temple. Official name: Kodaiji Temple, Kokurayama Niongoin. A famous temple located at the foot of Xiaocang Mountain, it is named after the two Buddha statues of Sakyamuni Buddha and Amitabha Tathagata enshrined in it. It was founded during the Johwa period by Master Jikaku at the behest of Emperor Saga. It is now a temple of the Tiantai sect. The temple grounds are vast and surrounded by magnificent natural scenery, and contain a variety of cultural assets including the main statue, which is an important cultural property. In addition to the statue of Honenjo, the site of Saigyo Hoshi's retreat, the tombs of Kyoto's famous families, and the statue of Ryoi Monkura, there are also the tomb of Bando Tsumasaburo and the monument to the origin of Kokura-an. It is too numerous to list them all. However, it is also a place where one can enjoy the experience even without that knowledge. Taking a leisurely stroll through the temple grounds while admiring seasonal flowers such as the Fugenzo cherry blossoms and autumn leaves will add a lot of color to the majestic temple and refresh your mood. A place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and forget about time.

⛰【Attractions Guide】Nison-in Temple 📍Detailed address: 27 Nagajincho, Saga Nisonin Monzen, Ukyo District, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan 🚗Transportation strategy: Take the train from Kyoto Station Platform 31-33 towards Sagano, get off at Arashiyama Sagano Station, and walk for 19 minutes 🕙Opening hours: 9:00-16:30 💰Ticket price: JPY500 🌟🌟Attractions: From the moment you enter Nison-in Temple, you will see maple leaves all over the place. There is a 200-meter-long red leaf approach from the entrance, which is called the red leaf horse farm. After going up the steps, you can see the most picturesque doorway. In addition, the gate with an arrow-shaped roof leads directly to the hall, forming a unique beautiful scenery. 👘👘Highlights: Kyoto Kimono Experience, Arashiyama’s new kimono shop Okamoto opened in September. The shop has two floors and many styles of clothes. You can get them for only JPY300 or less. Combined with the unique scenery of Nison-in Temple, it is simply the icing on the cake and very photogenic. 📌Tips: 1️⃣Okamoto Kimono has its own website. You can make reservations online or go in directly on the spot without making an appointment. 2️⃣You choose the kimono yourself, and there will be several packages to choose from. After choosing the kimono, you will go upstairs and the staff will help you put on the clothes. After you are dressed, your hair will be done. The whole process takes about 1 hour. 3️⃣ Kimono clogs are quite difficult to walk in, especially on cobblestone roads. You can bring your own shoes, otherwise your feet will not be able to bear it for several hours! 4️⃣ There are several check-in spots in Nison-in Temple. The most famous one is a small wooden door on the stairs, which is decorated with maple leaves and looks really good in photos when paired with a kimono! 5️⃣ There are a lot of people in Nison-in Temple, especially the red leaves of the horse field. Although the road is 200m long, it is full of people. You still need to reserve more time to wait for no one to capture the moment📷

Nison-in Temple is located in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Tendai sect and was built in the Heian period. Nison-in Temple is named after the two deities it enshrines, Shakyamuni and Amida, and is an important temple of the Tendai sect. The history of Nison-in Temple can be traced back to the Jowa period (834–847), when Emperor Saga built the Kadanji Temple and Nison-in Temple at the foot of Mount Ogura. Later, the temple was abandoned, and Genku built a thatched hut here. His disciple, Shoshinbo Jinkuu, rebuilt the temple, which gradually became a place of study for the Tendai, Shingon, Ritsu, and Jodo sects. In 1231, the remains of Emperor Tsuchimikado were buried in the mountain. Nison-in Temple is not only a religious site, but also the burial place of Emperor Tsuchimikado, with excellent feng shui. Today, a corner of the temple is still used as a cemetery, which is not uncommon in Japanese culture. The entrance fee is JPY 500, and the opening hours are from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Nison-in Temple is a 5-minute walk from Jojakko-ji Temple. There are many scenic spots in the temple, and it takes at least an hour to visit them all. If you want to experience it more deeply, it is recommended to allow more time.

#japantrip #travel Tucked away in the serene hills of Arashiyama, Nison-in Temple is a quiet escape and an absolute gem for enjoying Kyoto’s autumn foliage. And while the famous 紅葉の馬場 (Path of Maple Leaves) was bustling with visitors, I found my favorite moment sitting quietly in the temple’s courtyard. Under the warm autumn sun, with snacks and a drink in hand, I just let the peaceful atmosphere wash over me—it was pure bliss. ✨ What to Expect: • 紅葉の馬場 (Path of Maple Leaves): This pathway is iconic during maple season, but to capture it without crowds, arrive early—before the temple opens at 9 AM. • Courtyard Serenity: The main hall’s garden is stunning year-round, with cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant maples in autumn. The combination of trees, statues, and stone markers makes it an ideal spot for a quiet break. • Explore the Hills: Behind the main hall, you’ll find hillside trails dotted with historic tombs. The area is tranquil and deeply respectful, so remember to keep noise to a minimum. 🚶 How to Get There: • From Kyoto Station, take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station, then walk about 25 minutes. • Or take the Kyoto City Bus #28 or #91 to Saga Toriimoto Stop, then walk 10 minutes. 💡 Travel Tips: 1️⃣ Arrive early during peak maple season to enjoy quieter views of the 紅葉の馬場. 2️⃣ Pack some snacks or drinks and relax in the courtyard—it’s perfect for a peaceful break during your visit. 3️⃣ Combine your trip to Nison-in with other nearby autumn spots like Jojakko-ji, Gio-ji, Hogonin, Rakushisha, and Enrian—all within walking distance. If you’re exploring Arashiyama in autumn, don’t miss this charming temple—it’s an experience to treasure!

When you arrive in Arashiyama, continue to explore the less popular maple viewing spots. Nison-in Temple is one of the most popular spots during maple season, but many people just take a few photos at the entrance and leave. Not many people buy tickets to go inside. 👍 Highly recommended: The best maple views in Nison-in Temple are on two mountain paths. ✅ The first path is right after the entrance: the famous "Maple Horse Farm" during maple season. On both sides of the gentle slope path, tall maple trees grow, with red leaves like fire and yellow leaves like brocade, guarding the path. ✅ The second beautiful maple mountain path is a steeper section of stairs next to the main hall leading up the mountain. Climb the stairs to enjoy a distant view of Kyoto. ❤ Recommended reason: Nison-in Temple also has many small scenic spots for photography, such as the Tang Gate. The structure with auspicious cloud carvings is very beautiful, and from the Tang Gate, you can see the maple trees. For example, the path on the right after entering the gate, and the borrowed scenery in the main hall. The maple leaves in Nison-in Temple mature earlier than those in Jojakko-ji Temple, so if you visit both places in one day, the pace will be different. 🎫 Ticket: JPY 500 ⏰ Opening hours: 9:00–16:30

The red leaves of the Ozangshan Erzunyuan belong to the early red in the temples of the Laoshan area. They are also the famous red leaves. The entrance is the Shangshan Road, which is surrounded by maple trees. It is called the red horse's racecourse. The location of the two courtyards is slightly biased. It takes 20 minutes to walk from the Yueyue Bridge. The advantage is that people are less quiet. The monasteries were created during the Emperor of the Sui Dynasty and were named after the offering of Sakyamuni and Maitreya. There are also a number of Japanese historical figures in the inner court. The five-storied pagoda of a certain emperor is also planted with red maple. It may not be suitable for psychologically limited reception.

The Second Court is located in Shangyu, Youjing District, Kyoto City, Japan. It is dedicated to the deity of the Sakyamuni and the Amitabha. The pilgrimage road is full of maple trees on both sides, and the maple season is full of people. When this year, the maple trees are half green and half green and beautiful. The gravel is the river, the tree vine is the mountain, and there is no mountain and no water. The square is the place where the thousands of rocks are illusory. This is the unique Zen landscape of Japan. Address: Shangyu District, Kyoto City, Japan Opening hours: 9