Anraku-ji, Buddhist temple in Sakyo-ku, Japan.
Anraku-ji is a Buddhist temple in Sakyō-ku featuring traditional Japanese architecture with a thatched roof gate and maple trees along the entrance path. Stone Buddha statues, moss gardens, and carefully trimmed hedges shape the temple grounds.
The temple was founded in the 13th century by monks Juren and Zunsei. Both founders were later executed by ex-Emperor Gotoba, marking a significant event in the temple's early years.
Followers of the Jodo-shu sect gather here to pray before the Amida-Nyorai statue housed in the main hall. This statue represents the core spiritual focus of their Buddhist practice.
The temple opens on weekends only during specific months, mainly April, May, June, and December. It is wise to check exact opening times before your visit and dress appropriately for the season.
The temple sits above the Philosopher's Path, a famous walking route in Kyoto. This elevated location makes it a quiet retreat away from the crowds that frequent the path below.
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