Manshuin Temple (曼殊院) is a Buddhist temple located in the northern part of Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in the 8th century and is known for its stunning gardens, traditional architecture, and cultural significance.
The temple’s main hall, called the Shinden, is a designated National Treasure of Japan and features intricate wooden carvings and painted sliding doors. The Shinden is also home to a collection of rare and valuable Buddhist artifacts, including statues and paintings.
Manshuin Temple is also famous for its gardens, which include a pond garden (ike-no-niwa) and a dry landscape garden (kare-sansui). The pond garden features a small island with a teahouse where visitors can enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The dry landscape garden is designed to represent a mountain landscape and features carefully placed rocks and sand.
One of the unique features of Manshuin Temple is the opportunity to participate in a special meditation program called Shunkoin Temple Stay. During this program, visitors can stay overnight in the temple and participate in meditation and other cultural activities.
Getting there
By Train
From Kyoto Station:
- Take JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station
- From Tofukuji, take Keihan Main Line to Demachiyanagi Station
- From Demachiyanagi, take Eizan Electric Railway to Shugakuin Station
- Total journey: About 40 minutes, 650 yen
From Shugakuin Station, it’s about a 15-20 minute walk
By Bus
- Take City Bus No. 5 from Kyoto Station to Ichijoji Shimizu-cho bus stop
- Bus journey time: About 50 minutes, 230 yen
- 10-15 minute walk from the bus stop
Details
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Reception closes at 4:30 PM. |
| Admission | Adults: 600 yen High school students: 500 yen Elementary school and junior high school students: 400 yen |
| Phone | +81 75-781-5010 |
| Address | 42 Ichijoji Takenouchicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8134 |