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Renge-ji

posted September 27, 2003

Renge-ji is not on most tourist maps, but it’s one of my favorite places in Kyoto. Founded in 1662 at the base of Hiei-zan, Renge-ji is a temple of the Tendai sect, headquartered at Enryaku-ji at the top of the mountain.


Even in tourist season, this place is quiet. For an extra 300 Yen, you can have matcha service on the rear pavilion (not pictured) by a nice little brook.

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  • Sumisu said:

    It looks really pretty–how do you get there? My wife and I bought a tourist map of Kyoto which has about 100 temples listed on it (a fraction of the total, I know) but unfortunately it doesn’t include Renge-ji.

  • nils (author) said:

    Eizan train from Demachiyanagi toward Hiei-zan, get off at Miyake-Hachiman, there is a road running alongside the Takano River toward Oahra; cross the river and the road, do not look back, follow the road a few hundred meters north toward the mountain. There is small unpaved parking area on the left, and a path leading up to the gate and one of the finest gardens in kyoto. The autumn colors here are gorgeous, but anytime is good.

  • Sumisu said:

    We’re going in the fall, so we’ll definitely go there–thanks for the directions and for all the great pictures and descriptions on your site.

  • Logan said:

    Nils,

    The first photo strikes me as an excelent place for quiet reflection.

    During the not so busy days, I used to bus up to Ryoan-ji. It was wonderful when silence descended at the garden.

    Do you find Renge-ji to be regularly peaceful?

    Cheers,

    Logan

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