[2025 Uji Attraction] Travel Guide for Kōshō-ji Temple (Updated May)

Koshoji Temple (Koshoji) located in Uji City, Kyoto, Japan is a Buddhist temple with a long history and a sense of mystery. Built in 1233 AD, it is one of the oldest temples in Japan and one of Japan's cultural heritage sites. The temple is a great place to enjoy maple leaves in autumn. On the more than 100-meter-long slope leading to the temple, there are lush red leaves on both sides. Together with the stone walls and the white walls of the temple's main entrance, it is enough to form a beautiful scenery that makes people stop and take a closer look. The buildings in the temple are also unique in style, providing tourists with a unique visiting experience. There are many precious cultural treasures in Xingsheng Temple, such as Buddha statues, colored silk paintings, ancient books, etc., which are all must-sees. In addition, Xingsheng Temple also has a beautiful Japanese garden where you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and relax. #JapaneseAttractions #Xingsheng Temple #Abbot #BuddhistTemple #CulturalTreasures #JapaneseGarden #Uji

The oldest dojo of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism out of over 14,000 in Japan (Entry fee 500 yen) I went to see the temple in mid-November for the special autumn viewing. Kosho-ji Temple is lit up at night for the special autumn viewing. The temple at night has a different charm from the daytime. The projection mapping was very beautiful. The special autumn viewing is until December 12th. Please come and visit. [Kosho-ji Temple] This training dojo was first opened by Zen master Dogen in 1233, and the current building was rebuilt in 1649. The lecture hall also has a blood ceiling made from remains from Fushimi Castle. Kosho-ji Temple also offers a variety of experiences. ◎Monthly Zen Meeting Zazen meetings are held twice a month. If you are attending for the first time, please arrive 30 minutes early. (Cancelled if there is an event at the temple) Participation fee: Free (separate admission fee required) Reservation: Not required ◎ Experience Zazen Accepted at any time. Participation fee: 1,000 yen (separate admission fee required) Reservation: Required ※Reservations can be made online ◎ Overnight Zen Experience life at a Zen temple with an unsui (training monk) for two days and one night, with meals included. Date and time: Phone reservations Participation fee: 3,000 to 7,000 yen (including meals) Reservation: Required ■Address 27-1 Ujiyamada, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture ■Access 11 minutes walk from Keihan Uji (The final climb is steep, so allow 15 to 20 minutes) #Kyoto sightseeing #Uji sightseeing #Kyoto trip #Uji trip #Kyoto #Uji #Shrines and temples #Temples and temples #Temple and shrine tours #Temple and shrine tours #Cool travel experience

Kōshō-ji Temple, located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, is renowned for its association with the Soto school of Zen Buddhism. The temple is particularly famous for its “Koto-zaka” (琴坂), a gentle slope lined with a stream whose sound resembles the koto, a traditional Japanese stringed instrument. This serene path leads visitors to the temple’s main hall, offering a tranquil experience. In autumn, the temple’s grounds are adorned with vibrant red and orange maple leaves, creating a picturesque scene that attracts many visitors. Kōshō-ji Temple also offers various Zen practice experiences, including monthly zazen meditation sessions and calligraphy workshops, providing opportunities for visitors to engage in traditional Zen practices.  For those interested in exploring the temple’s rich history and cultural significance, Kōshō-ji Temple serves as a peaceful retreat, offering a glimpse into the spiritual heritage of the region. #celebrateit

Kosho-ji Temple is a temple of the Soto sect of Buddhism located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. The autumn leaves on Kotozaka, the approach to Kosho-ji Temple, are beautiful. Kotozaka was named after the babbling of the valley streams on both sides that sounded like the sound of a koto. It is one of the best spots to see autumn leaves in Uji City. The spot was also used in this year's "Let's go to Kyoto" commercial. Once you reach the top of Kotozaka, you will be greeted by the Ryugu-zukuri mountain gate. The autumn leaves tunnel seen from Kotozaka and the Ryugu-zukuri mountain gate is worth seeing. It was very beautiful. ❤︎︎** ** ✰ ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ 📍Soto sect of Buddhism Butokusan Koshoji Temple 🇯🇵27-1 Ujiyamada, Uji, Kyoto 📲0774-21-2040 🕰️Business hours: 10:00-16:00 💰Admission fee: 500 yen 🚗Parking available 🚃Approximately 15 minutes walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Uji Line 🚶♀️➡️Approximately 25 minutes walk from Uji Station on the JR Nara Line ✼••┈┈┈┈••✼••┈┈┈┈••✼ ✰ #Domestic travel trip #Winter travel #Autumn leaves #Kyoto sightseeing #trip #Kyoto trip

Kosho-ji is a Soto Zen temple founded by Zen Master Dogen. It was incredibly quiet and calm, despite the hustle and bustle of Kyoto city and the crowds at Byodo-in Temple✨ When I went there at the end of November, I was just about able to see the autumn leaves, the tunnel of red maples was beautiful, and the truly beautiful scenery spread out before me and I was very impressed👍️ It wasn't that crowded, so I was able to enjoy the autumn leaves at my own pace🍁 [Name] Kosho-ji [Address] 27-1 Ujiyamada, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture 611-0021 #0 yen travel autumn #Kyoto sightseeing #Kyoto trip #domestic travel

~Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture~ Uji City is also the setting for the historical drama Hikari no Kimihe. A hidden gem, Kosho-ji Temple! 💡Checkpoint💡☑️A hidden gem! ☑️Important cultural property! ☑️The Kosho-ji Temple gate is beautiful! ☑️Kotozaka is beautiful! Everywhere is lovely, but the surrounding area is lined with "Uji Lantern Scrolls" and wind chime lanterns, which are based on the Uji Chapter of the Tale of Genji, and the shadows of the lanterns with their rich shadows of Uji and the shadows reflected in the round windows of Kosho-ji Temple were very beautiful♡➖Plans for an outing➖📍Spot name Kosho-ji TempleAddress: Kyoto Prefectural Uji Park Area Kosho-ji TempleAddress: 27- Ujiyamada, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture 611-0021 ➖Access➖Train🚃From JR "Kyoto Station", take the JR Nara Line (Miyakoji Rapid) to "Uji Station", then walk for about 20 minutesCar🚗・From the Meishin Expressway "Oyamazaki JCT" to the Keishi Bypass, get off at "Uji Nishi IC", about 25 minutes ・From the Meishin Expressway or Shin-Meishin Expressway "Setahigashi JCT" to the Keishi Bypass, get off at "Uji Higashi IC", about 25 minutes #0 yen travel #Kyoto #Kyoto sightseeing #Uji sightseeing #japan #japantrip #japantravel #Japanese travel tour

In mid-November, I visited the oldest dojo of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, of which there are over 14,000 in Japan (entrance fee: 500 yen). Among the ancient culture, there is also digital art (it's hard to see, but the hand sanitizer is digital art. See photo 10), so people of all ages and genders can enjoy the temple. The training dojo was first opened by Zen master Dogen in 1233, and the current building seems to have been rebuilt in 1649. The lecture hall also has a blood ceiling made from remains from Fushimi Castle. Koshoji Temple will be lit up at night as a special autumn viewing until December 12th. Please go and see the temple at night, which is something you rarely get to see. The projection mapping is very beautiful. Koshoji Temple also offers a variety of experiences. ◎Monthly Zen Meditation Session Zazen sessions are held twice a month. If you are attending for the first time, please arrive 30 minutes early. (Cancelled if there is an event at the temple) Participation fee: Free (separate admission fee required) Reservation: Not required ◎ Experience Zazen Accepted at any time. Participation fee: 1,000 yen (separate admission fee required) Reservation: Required ※Reservations can be made online ◎ Overnight Zen Experience life at a Zen temple with an unsui (training monk) for two days and one night, with meals included. Date and time: Phone reservations Participation fee: 3,000 to 7,000 yen (including meals) Reservation: Required ■Address 27-1 Ujiyamada, Uji, Kyoto Prefecture ■Access 11 minutes walk from Keihan Uji (The final climb is steep, so allow 15 to 20 minutes) #Kyoto sightseeing #Uji sightseeing #Kyoto trip #Uji trip #Kyoto #Uji #Shrines and temples #Temples and temples #Temple and shrine tours #Temple and shrine tours #Cool travel experience

The oldest dojo of the Soto sect of Zen Buddhism, of which there are over 14,000 in Japan. I visited in mid-November (entrance fee 500 yen). I made a reservation in advance and tried zazen. This is also the room where monks in training actually practice zazen, and I practice zazen in the same way as monks. The foundation of the teachings of the Soto sect is zazen. Zazen is not a training method for the purpose of attaining enlightenment, but a gateway to tranquilizing the mind and body. This was explained to me in advance, and zazen began with the goal of becoming nothing. Those who wish can also try the keisaku, which involves tapping the shoulders. In addition, Koshoji Temple will be lit up at night until December 12th as a special autumn viewing. After your zazen experience, be sure to go and see the temple at night, which is something you rarely get to see. The projection mapping is very beautiful. Koshoji Temple also offers a variety of other experiences. ◎Monthly Zen Meditation Meeting Zazen meetings are held twice a month. First-timers should arrive 30 minutes early. (Cancelled if there is an event at the temple) Participation fee: Free (separate admission fee required) Reservations: Not required ◎Trial Zen Meditation Registered at any time. Participation fee: 1,000 yen (separate admission fee required) Reservations: Required *Reservations can be made online ◎Overnight Zen Meditation Experience life at a Zen temple with an unsui (training monk) for two days and one night, including meals. Date and time: Telephone registration Participation fee: 3,000 yen to 7,000 yen (including meals) Reservations: Required ■Address 27-1 Ujiyamada, Uji, Kyoto ■Access 11-minute walk from Keihan Uji (The final climb is steep, so allow 15-20 minutes) #Kyoto sightseeing #Uji sightseeing #Kyoto trip #Uji trip #Kyoto #Uji #Shrines and temples #Temples and temples #Temple tour #Temple tour #Cool travel experience

The Shimen Gate at the entrance of Xingsheng Temple is on the edge of Uji River. From here to the gate is a gentle slope of 200 meters. It is called "Qinqin". This name is said to be a stone step like a piano key. It is said that the water on both sides of the stone steps is like a piano sound. Both sides of the red leaves are arranged in ancient trees, or red or gold. The front is beautiful and colorful, the breeze is blowing, and the red leaves are quietly falling. This is the most beautiful time. Although the red leaf season is more tourists, it is better than the hot spots. Shanmen is a bit of a Chinese Tang Dynasty architectural style, which is quite special. You can sign up for the Zen experience and the experience of writing. Address: 20 minutes walk from Uji Yamada 27-1 JR Uji Station, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. Keihan Tram Uji Station is a 15-minute walk.