[Small Group of 9 | Daily Departures] Kyoto Arashiyama Sanzenin Day Trip | Sanzenin, Arashiyama, Kifune Shrine | Chinese-speaking Driver/Guide | Departure from Osaka/Kyoto

1 Day

• Osaka Meeting Point: Nipponbashi Exit 2 (Namba/Shinsaibashi area) Kyoto Meeting Point: 7-ELEVEN Kyoto Hachijo-dori Higashi Store (16-16 Higashi-Kujo Nishi-Iwamoto-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture 601-8005)
• Sanzen-in Temple in Kyoto: A Poetic Landscape of Seasons in a Thousand-Year-Old Temple Hidden in Ohara, north of Kyoto, lies Sanzen-in Temple, a thousand-year-old temple. As one of the five major temples of the Tendai sect, it is not only a premier spiritual retreat in northern Kyoto but also has deep historical ties to the Sengoku warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Strolling through the temple grounds, towering ancient trees cast dappled shadows, moss carpets the ground like a soft carpet, clear streams murmur softly, and the elegant guest hall and main hall quietly recount past glories. The most unmissable sights are the pond-style gardens, "Yusei-en" and "Juhei-en," meticulously designed by Kanemori Sōwa. These offer the best vantage point to appreciate the changing seasons of Sanzen-in: cherry blossoms in April, azaleas in May, hydrangeas in July, and a visual feast of crimson maple leaves and verdant moss in autumn. The wooden Amida Buddha statue and its two attendant figures enshrined within the temple are designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. These artistic treasures from the Heian period, after a thousand years, remain solemn and compassionate, compelling people to pause and gaze upon them.
  

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• Kifune Shrine "A hidden shrine deep in the mountains, its red lanterns reflecting the autumn leaves." As the head shrine of all Kifune shrines in Japan, this is not only the birthplace of the "ema" (votive plaques) culture, but also a thousand-year-old spiritual place where the soul can find peace. Hundreds of long red lanterns line the approach to the main shrine, creating a dreamy photo opportunity whether in the lush green of summer or the fiery red of autumn leaves. The shrine is a place for devout worship of the goddess of fate, "Iwanagahime-no-Mikoto," whose love charms are said to be particularly effective, making it a must-visit romantic spot for Kyoto lovers. It's also a popular summer retreat in Kyoto; visiting in August allows you to escape the heat and participate in limited-time summer lantern displays. During the autumn foliage season, the entire valley is ablaze with color, making it one of Kyoto's premier autumn foliage viewing spots.
  

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