Yuge-ji

Yuge-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple located at the foot of Ikeda Mountain with ponds, waterfalls, and bamboo groves spanning its grounds. The site is home to around 20,000 hydrangea plants that fill the landscape with color depending on the season.

The temple was established in 817 by Buddhist master Saicho as a Tendai sect institution. Later it underwent a transition to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.

The temple holds a position along the Nishimino Thirty-Three Sacred Sites pilgrimage route and maintains ties to traditional horse-related ceremonies that visitors may encounter. These connections reflect how deeply rooted this place is in local customs and spiritual practices.

The temple is easily accessible by a short drive from Ibi Station on the Kintetsu line and remains open throughout the day. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as the grounds invite exploration and walking over uneven paths.

Emperor Shirakawa changed the temple's name after attributing his recovery to the local hot springs, which were rediscovered during excavations in 2005. These healing waters played a surprising role in the site's legend and meaning.