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Saihō-ji

Place of worship·KyotoMentioned by Atlas Obscura
Saihō-ji
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
“Saihō-ji (西芳寺) is a Buddhist temple located in Matsuo, Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen, and honzon is a statue of Amida Nyorai. The temple, which is famed for its moss garden, is commonly referred to as "Koke-dera" (苔寺), meaning "moss temple", while the…”
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In the coverage2 stories

Atlas ObscuraAug 4

Atlas Obscura’s Guide to Unique Romantic Getaways

You’ve decided to go somewhere together. Maybe you just got married and you’re planning a honeymoon. Maybe you’re marking a decade together with an anniversary trip that actually means something. Maybe you don’t need an occasion at all, save for a wish to get out of ordinary life for a while and remember why you chose each other. Everyone expects you to go somewhere with an overwater bungalow a…

Moss Temple with over 120 varieties of moss carpeting garden.

22 things in this story
  • Saihō-jiPlace of worshipMoss Temple with over 120 varieties of moss carpeting garden.
  • Fushimi-Inari-TaishaSightShrine with thousands of vermillion torii gates up a mountain.
  • Philosopher’s PathTrailWalk along the canal in the early morning light.
  • Ōtoyo ShrinePlace of worshipSmall shrine protected by cat statues.
  • TawarayaRestaurantTraditional ryokan in Higashiyama with futons and kaiseki dinner.
  • Nishiki MarketMarketCovered shopping street known as 'Kyoto's Kitchen'.
  • Kurodani TempleSight12th-century Tendai temple where monks practice chanting.
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Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →

Atlas ObscuraJul 20

Saihō-ji in Kyoto, Japan

The city of Kyoto has over 1,600 Buddhist temples. While this is a very large number, it often feels like this isn’t enough. Famous sites such as Kinkaku-ji , Kiyomizu-dera , and Ryōan-ji are often seen over the shoulders of hundreds of other visitors, who tend to be cropped out of social media posts. In this environment, it may seem difficult to find a profound experience with this ancient, sa…

Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple known as Kokedera, the Moss Temple.

4 sights in this story
  • Kinkaku-jiPlace of worshipIt is designated as a World Heritage Site, a National Special Historic Site, a National Special Landscape, and one of…
  • Kiyomizu-deraPlace of worshipIt belongs to the Kita-Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism and its honzon is a hibutsu statue of Jūichimen Kannon.
  • Ryōan-jiPlace of worshipIt belongs to the Myōshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism.
  • Saihō-jiPlace of worshipRinzai Zen Buddhist temple known as Kokedera, the Moss Temple.
Read the full piece at Atlas Obscura →
More sights in KyotoKinkaku-ji×2Ryōan-ji×2Fushimi-Inari-Taisha×2Yasaka KaikanMaruyama-kōenTofuku-ji Temple
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