Konpuku-ji, Buddhist temple in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Konpuku-ji is a Rinzai-sect Zen temple in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, founded in 864 and restored during the Genroku era. Its garden holds a thatched hut on the east side, the Bashō-an, with a three-mat tea room inside modelled on Sen no Rikyū's Tai-an. The temple also contains the grave of poet Yosa Buson.
The temple was founded in 864 when Buddhist priest An'e established it at Ennin's request. It later transitioned from the Tendai school to the Rinzai sect during the Genroku period, reshaping its spiritual practice.
The temple carries deep ties to Japanese poetry through the poets Matsuo Bashō and Yosa Buson, who both spent significant time here. Buson left a lasting mark by reconstructing and redesigning the temple's tea house during his stay.
Konpuku-ji stands in Ichijōji Sakyō-ku, a short walk south of Shisendō, at 20 Ichijōji-Saikata-chō, Kyoto 606-8157. The grounds are small and level, with the garden and the thatched Bashō-an on its east side reached on foot. The main hall, garden and hut are the parts to see; allow time to walk between them.
A thatched structure called Bashō-an sits on the east side of the garden, marking where poet Matsuo Bashō composed his verses. This modest building often goes unnoticed by visitors, yet it holds a direct link to one of Japan's greatest literary figures.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,184 contributors worldwide.