basic information

Saihoji, more commonly known as Kokedera, is one of Kyoto's Unesco World Heritage Sites. Entrance to this temple requires a reservation made well in advance by mail.

Kokedera means Moss Temple, referring to the temple garden's estimated 120 different varieties of moss. Visitors to the temple can walk through this spectacular garden, which has strongly influenced subsequent Japanese garden design.

Kokedera was originally the site of a prince's villa before becoming a Shinto shrine in the early Nara Period. In 1339, the shrine was renamed and converted into a Zen Buddhist temple under the priest Muso Koushi. Muso is also credited with creating Kokedera's gardens.

Copying the sutra

Kokedera offers the unique opportunity for visitors to participate in some of the temple's religious activities. Every visitor to Kokedera is asked to contribute to the observances of kito and shakyo (respectively, the chanting and copying of Buddhist scriptures, called sutra).

After entering the gates, visitors should proceed directly to the temple to pay the entrance fee and begin the sutra copying. They will be shown into the temple to take a seat at one of the low writing desks. A monk leads the room in sutra chanting and then the copying begins. When ready, visitors can take their sutra paper up to the alter and exit. After the kito and shakyo, a stroll through the moss garden is not to be missed.

Completing the entire activity may take over an hour and sitting on the floor for this length of time can be uncomfortable. It should be stressed however, that copying out the sutra is not as challenging as it may first sound. A tracing of the Japanese characters guides even those with no previous knowledge of Japanese calligraphy or Buddhism.

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how to get there

Saihoji Kokedera is accessible in about a 10 minute walk from Matsuo Station on the Hankyu Arashiyama Line.

From Kyoto Station:

Take the Karasuma Subway Line to Shijo Station (3 minutes) and transfer to a Hankyu Kyoto Line train to Katsura Station (8 minutes). At Katsura Station, switch to the Hankyu Arashiyama Line which takes 5 minutes to Matsuo Station. In total, the trip takes about 30 minutes and costs 430 yen.

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hours and fees

To make a reservation, send a return addressed postcard with your name, the number of people in your group, the name and address of your "group representative" and the proposed date of your visit clearly included. This postcard must reach the temple seven days before the date of your intended visit, but far more time is recommended.

A reply indicating your reservation date and time will be sent on your self addressed, self stamped postcard. Reservations are not possible via internet or over the phone.

The temple address is:
Saihoji Temple
56 Jingatani-cho, Matsuo
Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto, 615-8286, Japan

For visitors applying from inside Japan, a special return postcard called an ofuku hagaki is available from the post office for exactly these purposes. It comes in a set of two postcards, one of which is used by the receiving party to reply. Visitors applying from overseas can make use of an International Reply Coupon, available from most local post offices around the world.

The admission fee of 3000 yen per person is paid at the time of the visit.

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hotels & ryokan

Guest Inn Chita A small traditional inn run by a very kind staff. From 3500yen per guest. 10 min from Kyoto Station. Renewed in 2006. Tomiya Ryokan A traditional Japanese inn located 2 min walk from Kyoto Station. Close to bus terminal for all the attractions. Kyoto White Hotel From 4,150 yen per night. 3 minutes from JR Kyoto station. Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto Voted No.1 hostel in Asia by Hostelworld customers. 9 mins walk from JR Kyoto station Bed from 2,500 yen. Gion Hatanaka A real Japanese inn in a quiet area of Gion, famous for Geisha. 15min walk to Kiyomizu-dera. 5min to Yasaka-jinja. Ryokan Hirashin 3min walk to Shijo Karasuma Sta. Spacious Japanese-style rooms. 140 years of history. Public baths renovated in 2006. Hotel Sugicho A ryokan in the center of Kyoto town. From 4000yen. 4 train stations are within walking distance. Try the Kyoto Kaiseki.

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