Shōden Temple, Buddhist temple in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Shōden Temple is a Buddhist temple complex on a hillside in Kita-ku built with traditional Japanese architecture and elevated wooden structures. The main hall displays characteristic design features such as sliding doors and heavy wooden beams that shape the interior space.
The temple was founded in the 13th century and received its current main hall from a former castle complex in the 17th century. This relocation connected it to both periods of Japanese history through its architectural elements.
The temple is known for its painted sliding doors created by skilled artists depicting traditional scenes. The dry garden with azalea bushes follows a deliberate pattern that visitors notice as they move through the space.
Visitors can explore the grounds during daylight hours and should wear sturdy shoes for the hillside paths. The location is reachable on foot from nearby bus stops, though the walkways are sometimes steep.
The ceiling of the main hall preserves old handprints and footprints that visitors can discover while observing the interior structure. The garden was deliberately designed without stones and instead uses the mountain in the background as a natural part of its composition.
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