Kosanji Temple

Kosanji (Photo: 高山寺｜Kozanji Temple – Izu navi / CC BY 2.0)

Overview

Address

8 Umegahata-Toganoo-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City

( Map ) ( Directions )

Hours

8:30 - 17:00 Closed now

Opening Hours

Monday
8:30 - 17:00
Tuesday
8:30 - 17:00
Wednesday
8:30 - 17:00
Thursday
8:30 - 17:00
Friday
8:30 - 17:00
Saturday
8:30 - 17:00
Sunday
8:30 - 17:00
Holidays
8:30 - 17:00

Price

Free

Website

kosanji.com

Highlights

Animal Scroll from Kozanji Japan

Often regarded as the ‘First Manga', these painted scrolls are called the “Scrolls of Frolicking Animals”. Drawn sometime during the 12th century, the identity of the artist is unknown but speculated to be the monk Toba Sojo. The painted scrolls depict a satirical story mocking the daily lives of priests, likening them to animals. The original scrolls are displayed at the Tokyo National Museum, but you can view a replica at the Sekisui-in hall at Kozanji.

Sekisui-in

The last remaining original structure in Kozanji, Sekisui-in was rightfully designated as a 'National Treasure'. It is one of the last remaining Kamakura-period buildings in all of Japan, most of them having perished to fires or other forms of man-made destruction over the years. Sekisui-in used to serve as a residence for an imperial family member who moved to the temple. In autumn, visitors flock to Kozanji to experience the million-dollar view from within Sekisui-in.

What's unique

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Access

Take the JR Bus Takao/ Keihoku Route to Toganoo from JR Kyoto Station. 15-minute walk from City Bus Stop Takao from Sijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line