In the list below is included a: places of visit for our nine-day study tour, b: places in which we tried to arrange permission, but could not enter, and c: places we considered the possibility to include in the programme, in case we had had time for it.

The places of category a are listed in the travel programme and marked with an asterisk* in the list below. The places of category b are Ura Senke, Ryoko-in, Tawaraya, and Kitamura-tei. The places of category c are places that were at some point during our planning process considered potential points of visit. Thus, in case the places listed in category b have high priority for the tour you are planning, they might be important to approach early in the planning.


Chishaku-in

Chishaku-in was moved to its present location in 1585. The main hall was destroyed by fire during the Meiji period (1868-1912), and only rebuilt in 1975. The pond garden has a very interesting space composition, and the temple has excellent examples of Momoyama paintings, including works by Hasegawa Tohaku (1539-1610). Shingon Buddhism.

Chishaku-in is generally open to the public.

Chishaku-in, 964 Higashikawara-machi, Higashioji-dori nijyo-sagaru, Higashiyama-ku, 605 Kyoto

Tel.: (075) 541 5361
Fax: (075) 541 5364

URL: www.chisan.or.jp/sohonzan/index.html (only in Japanese)


Daichi-ji

Daichi-ji is situated countryside in Shiga prefecture. Together with Raikyu-ji in Takahashi, north of Okayama, Daichi-ji has some of the most outstanding example of the pruned azalea gardens. Here we are far beyond a spread of azalea balls, and the trimmed hedge elements define exciting garden spaces of almost modernist feeling. Both gardens have been ascribed Kobori Enshu (1579-1647), and both are definitely in the tradition of Enshu, but both are much more likely made by a grandson of Enshu, 20 years after his death. Rinzai Zen Buddhism.

Daichi-ji is generally open to the public. But location is deep into the countryside and far from high speed trains, and access by public transportation is not recommended. For a study tour car transportation is suggested. Then several interesting visits can be combined in a one-day Shiga tour, like Kojo-in of Onjo-ji/Miidera (an outstanding Momoyama guest hall), Tennezue-tei (horizontal shakkei of lake Biwa) and Ryotan-ji (a kare sansui garden of a garden school) could be included (the list could easily be several days long).

Daichi-ji, Meisaka, Minakuchi-cho, Koga-kun, 528 Shiga

Tel.: (0748) 62 0396

URL: www.sunalix.co.jp/daichiji (only in Japanese)


Daisen-in *

Daisen-in, The Great Hermit Temple, is a subtemple of Daitoku-ji. It was founded in 1509. Daisen-in has outstanding examples of Muromachi kare sansui gardens and interesting Hojo architecture, including (replica) fusuma paintings by Soami (d. 1525). Rinzai Zen Buddhism.

Daisen-in is generally open to the public. It is included in most tourist bus tours, but early morning and during lunch you can be lucky to experience it as a quiet Zen temple.

Daisen-in, Daitokuji-cho, Murasakino, Kita-ku, 603 Kyoto

Tel.: (075) 491 8346

URL: www.b-model.net/daisen-in/ (only in Japanese)


Daitoku-ji Hojo (and main axis) *

Daitoku-ji is founded around 1325, but it burned down to the ground twice. Thus the temple we see today arises from the 15th century reconstruction and later. Daitoku-ji has 23 individual subtemples which practically all have gardens and architecture of interest, and therefore it should definitely be included in any study travel on traditional Japanese architecture and gardens. The subtemples are clustering around the large formally organised structures along the main axis. The main axis from south to north have a small elegant Momoyama portal, the big Sanmon portal, a Butsuden or Buddha Hall, a Hatto or lecture hall, and the main temple of Daitoku-ji, Daitoku-ji Hojo, forms the north node. Daitoku-ji Hojo has interesting architecture and a garden typical of the early Edo Hojo garden. The garden has incorporated a shakkei to Higashiyama. Rinzai Zen Buddhism.

Except for special openings in spring or autumn, Daitoku-ji Hojo is not open to the general public. Application should be made on a return postcard. The structures on the main axis are accessible from the outside only, but the Sanmon gate may be open on special occasions like the founding day of Daitoku-ji on November 22.

Daitoku-ji Hojo, 53 Daitokuji-cho, Murasakino, Kita-ku, 603-8231 Kyoto

Tel.: (075) 491 0019
Fax: (075) 491 0016

URL: http://zen.rinnou.net/head_temples/07daitoku.html


Entsu-ji *

Entsu-ji was founded in 1678 on the site of retired emperor Gomizunoo's (1596-1680) villa. Entsu-ji's garden has incorporated the view to Kyoto's protective mountain, Hiei-san, and it is one of the few truly outstanding examples of the shakkei garden. Rinzai Zen Buddhism.

Entsu-ji is generally open to the public, but photographing is not permitted.

Entsu-ji, 389 Hataeda-cho, Iwakura, Sakyo-ku, 606-0015 Kyoto

Tel.: (075) 781-1875

URL: www.entsuji.com (only in Japanese)


Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari is a Shinto sanctuary founded in 711. At the foot of the mountain the many gates, halls and stairways compose a highly interesting spatial situation. And up along the forested hillside, space tunnels of thousands of vermilion-painted torii gates makes a visit to Fushimi Inari an extraordinary spatial experience. Inari Shinto.

Fushimi Inari is generally open to the public.

Fushimi Inari, 68 Yabunouchi-cho, Fukakusa, Fushimi-ku

Tel.: (075) 641 7331
Fax: (075) 642 2153

URL: www.inari.jp (only in Japanese)





Continue to Kyoto, places to visit, G-J (4 of 11).