Ikkyuji

Ikkyuji is a Buddhist temple in Kyotanabe with traditional wooden halls arranged around courtyards and gardens filled with maple trees. The grounds contain a central residence called Kokyu-an that anchors the layout.

The temple was founded during the Muromachi period, when the Zen master Ikkyu Sojun took leadership and shaped its spiritual direction. This connection elevated it to a center of artistic and intellectual life.

The temple served as a meeting place where artists and thinkers gathered to share ideas and create together. This role shaped several forms of Japanese art over time.

The temple sits about 20 minutes on foot from Kyotanabe Station and welcomes visitors most days. The Treasure Repository has limited hours, so arriving early helps you see everything without rushing.

The monks produce their own fermented soybean product called Ikkyuji natto using a method passed down through the temple's spiritual leaders. This local craft remains one of the few places in the region where this preparation happens today.