Shisen-dō

Shisen-dō is a Buddhist temple and historic house in Ichijoji, Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan, built as a hillside retreat. The complex includes the three-story tower Shogetsu-ro and several meditation rooms arranged in terraces along the slope.

Ishikawa Jozan, a former samurai of the Tokugawa clan, established this retreat in 1641 as his retirement residence. He spent the final 30 years of his life there studying and tending the gardens.

The main hall displays 36 portraits of Chinese poets painted by Kano Tanyu, selected with guidance from scholar Hayashi Razan. These images reflect the literary interests of the founder and remain visible to visitors today.

Visitors enter the grounds through the Small Existence Gate and follow a bamboo-lined path to the main entrance. Access to different levels of the hillside requires walking up steps and uneven pathways.

The temple gardens include a stone water basin called sozu that produces characteristic sounds when it fills and empties. This traditional device was originally meant to scare wildlife away from the garden.

Location: Sakyō-ku

Inception: 1641

Founders: Ishikawa Jōzan

Address: 京都府京都市左京区一乗寺門口町27

Website: https://kyoto-shisendo.net

GPS coordinates: 35.04374,135.79624

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28