The temple will only be open to the public for less than two weeks.
Cover image via @reikanjimonzeki (Instagram)
Kyoto's renowned Reikanji Temple will open its doors to tourists for the autumn foliage season from Wednesday, 20 November to Sunday, 1 December
The temple is usually accessible only twice in a year, when azaleas and camellias bloom during spring, as well as when leaves from centuries-old Japanese maples and other surrounding trees blanket the ground during autumn.
Founded in 1654, Reikanji Temple is a nun monastery, also known as the Palace of the Valley, where successive imperial princesses served as chief priests.
After admiring the picturesque autumn foliage, visitors can also enjoy a guided tour of selected areas in the temple
You'll have the chance to visit the Shoin (drawing room), which was relocated from the former Kyoto Imperial Palace. This room contains many temple treasures related to the imperial family, including gorgeous fusuma sliding doors painted by the renowned Kano school, Gosho dolls, and shell matching.
Hanging scrolls by notable Kano school artists, such as Sesshu, Maruyama Okyo, and Kano Tan'yu, will be on display in the storehouse in the garden. Additionally, you can take a peek at the Hondo main hall, a gift from the 11th shogun of the Edo shogunate, Tokugawa Ienari. However, visitors are not permitted inside.
The temple will also be giving out special autumn goshuin (Japanese red seals) stamps.
Here are all the details for the special autumn viewing:
Date: Wednesday, 20 November to Sunday, 1 December
Visiting hours: 10am to 4.30pm (Last entry: 4pm)
Admission fee:
- Adults: 800 yen (approximately RM24.50)
- Primary school students: 400 yen (approximately RM12)
Toddlers get free admission.
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