[2025 Kyoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Giō-ji Temple (Updated Mar)

The Gio-ji Temple lies in the quiet of Arashiyama’s back quarters, its petite garden covered in moss. Its humility is deceiving. Unlike the bigger temples, such as Tenryu-ji, Jojakko-ji or the Nison-in Temple, Gio-ji appears, at first glance, to pale significantly in terms of the heritage that other temples rightly take pride in. Yet Gio-ji Temple has a history that moves one to tears. Its story illuminates the weight of Buddhism as a personal faith, in the ways that it lifts human beings from dramatic times of emotional suffering. The history was a legend retold. During the Heian period, Shirabyoshi was a popular form of entertainment. The female performer sang and danced in a simple rhythm, and they dressed in men’s attire as they performed. Our protagonist is the beautiful woman Gio, who performed before the nobility in Kyoto during the late 12th century. Her performances captivated the powerful military leader Taira no Kiyomori. He took her in as his favored consort, but this was no happy ending for Gio. Taira no Kiyomori then fell for another dancer named Hotoke Gozen. Gio fell out of favor, and in the pain of unrequited love and humiliation, she made a critical decision to leave her former life behind. Along with her mother and sister, Gio arrived at Gio-ji Temple, which was to be named after her, to live a life of reclusion as a Buddhist nun. As fate goes, Hotoke Gozen would eventually join Gio in the Gio-ij Temple herself, seeking forgiveness and a redeemed, quiet life of Buddhist asceticism as well. A recurrent theme in this tale is the idea of karma. As these women’s former lives were entangled in webs of jealousy and rivalry, Buddhism came to them as the final answer for spiritual resolution. Buddhism presented a higher calling that enabled them to rise above the common desires for love, material pursuits, power and fame. #giojitemple #shirabyoshi #gio #temple #buddhism #mossgarden #arashiyama #kyoto #japan #historicallandmarks#历史古迹

#goingplaces Gio-ji Temple is a tranquil, lesser-known gem in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, known for its lush moss garden and peaceful ambiance. Originally built in honor of a 12th-century dancer named Gio, the temple is now part of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. This temple is especially loved for its moss-covered ground and picturesque bamboo forest, creating a serene and otherworldly atmosphere, particularly beautiful during Kyoto's autumn season when the surrounding foliage changes to vibrant reds and yellows. 🚊Getting There: Gio-ji is accessible by bus or by a short walk from Arashiyama’s main attractions, like the Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple.

#tokyotravel Address: 32 Sagatoriimoto Kozakacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan 🇯🇵 Gioji Temple belongs to the Shingon sect of Buddhism, built in the 12th century, during the tumultuous Heian period. The temple's name and legend are inevitably linked to the tale of Gio, a beautiful dancer who became entangled in a tragic love story. and its architecture reflects the simplicity and harmony with nature that are hallmarks of Japanese Buddhist design. The temple's intimate scale and integration with its natural surroundings create an atmosphere of tranquility and contemplation. Gioji Temple, you'll be immediately struck by the serene atmosphere that permeates the grounds. The towering maple trees provide shade for the moss garden, which bamboo groves rustle gently in the breeze. This harmonious blend of architecture and nature creates a deeply calming and meditative environment. #historicculture #naturescenery #ukyo #kyoto #japan