Attractions

Jakkoin Temple

Jakkoin Temple

Travel Guide

Jakkoin Temple is a nunnery. It is knows as the place which was describes in the Tale of the Heikei, and for it’s autumn leaves and spring flowers. Kenreimon'in (court name of Taira no Tokuko), the daughter of Taira no Kiyomori, lived here in seclusion after the fall of the Heike. The temple houses many historical buildings such as Main Hall and Sho-in, and beautiful strolling garden (kaiu-shiki-teien. A landscape garden in the go-round style).

Jakkoin Temple, a nunnery of Tendai sect, is said to have been established in the year 594 by Shotoku-Taishi, or Crown Prince Shotoku, to pray for the soul of his late father, Emperor Yomei. The first abbess had been a wet nurse of the prince. The temple is dedicated to Rokumantai-Jizoson which is said to be curved by Shotoku-Taishi.

The main hall was set fire on May 9, 2000 and rebuilt in June 2005. The principal Buddhist image is also newly built and modeled the original image faithfully as well.

Jakkoin Temple - Approach to the gate Jakkoin Temple - Belfry, pond and pine Jakkoin Temple - Garden of Hondo
Approach to the gate Belfry, pond and pine Garden of Hondo
 
TOP

Travel Advice

 

Sightseeing

Jakkoin Temple provides experience of Scripture copying and tea drinking. It costs 1,200 yen from 9:00 to 15:00. For tea drinking, it costs 500 yen from 10:00 to 15:00, including tea and dessert.

Shibaduke

There is a Tsukemono and Tukudani shop in front of main gate of Jakkoin Temple named Suigetsu which is known for Shibaduke. Shibaduke is tsukemono. Tsukemono are Japanese preserved vegetables (usually pickled in salt, brine or a bed of rice bran (nuka)). Tsukudani is small seafood, meat or seaweed that has been simmered in soy sauce and mirin. About 750 years ago, when Kenreimon-in Tokuko came to Jakkoin Temple for her life of seclusion, people from the village provide vegetables such as egg plants, cucumbers and etc. Kenreimon-in Tokuko was very pleased and asked nuns to make Tsukemono by using the vegetables. It was so delicious, so the Tsukemono was named Shibaduke.

Kenreimon-in Tokuko

Kenreimon-in Tokuko (1155-1213) was a daughter of Taira no Kiyomori (the chief of Heike clan, 1118-1181) and the consort of Emperor Takakura. She was rescued from her attempted suicide when the Heike clan was destroyed by Minamoto no Yoshitsune (a younger brother of the chief of Genji clan, 1159-1189) at the naval battle of Dan-no-ura. She lost her whole family including her eight-year-old son, Emperor Antoku, and she spent the rest of her life in the temple to pray for the souls of her family.

The tale of the Heikei

It it is an epic account (in prose) of the struggle between the Taira and Minamoto clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century in the Genpei War (1180-1185).

Autumn Leaves

Jakkoin Temple is a spot to see autumn leaves. Please see Autum Leaves in Jakkoin Temple.


 
TOP

Visit

Address 676 Kusao-cho, Ohara, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone 075-744-3341
Admission Adult: 600 yen
Senior high: 600 yen
Junior high: 350 yen
Elementary: 100 yen
Adult: over 18
Hours 09:00 to 17:00  Mar 1 to Nov 30
09:00 to 16:30  Dec 1 to 31 and Jan 4 to Fed 28(29)
10:00 to 16:00  Jan 1 to 3
 
Closed Open 7 Days a Week
Duration 30 minutes
Getting There By Train
60 minutes ride by City Bus No.17 or 18 bound for Ohara from JR Kyoto Station to the Ohara bus stop, then walk approximately 15 minute.
Take City Bus No.10, 16 or 17 from Demachiyanagi Station on Keihan Electric Railway Keihan Honsen to Ohara bus stop, then walk approximately 15 minutes.
Take City Bus No.19 from Kokusai-kaikan Station on subway Karasuma Line to Ohara bus stop, then walk approximately 15 minutes.

By Car
Take Meishin Expressway to the Kyoto-higashi exit. It is approximately 20 kilometers 50 minutes from exit.
Parking No parking available
 
TOP

Attractions in Japan

 
TOP