Few are aware of the existence if this little temple tucked away in the hills of Arashiyama, even though its entrance is literally next to the more famous Giyo-ji. Even during the high autumn season the place is surprisingly deserted and makes for a great break from the crowds.
The grounds consist mostly on the maple covered hillside and a little pavilion, with little else to distract the visitor. The story of the temple is interesting though: a noble young man was forbidden by his father to marry a peasant women, and entered priesthood in a temple which was located on the grounds of the present day Takiguchi-dera. The woman came one night to ask him once more but he had made his vows and could only refuse her. Saddened, she used her own blood to write poetry on a stone before throwing herself in a nearby river where she drowned. The stone is still on the temple grounds, but I have to admit I'm not sure which one it is...
Recommended for: Nearby: Giyō-ji 祇王寺 (60m), Nison-in 二尊院 (220m), Enri-an 厭離庵 (380m), Jōjakkō-ji 常寂光寺 (430m), Adashino Nenbutsu-ji 化野念仏寺 (450m), the Rakushisha 落柿舎 (470m), Furoan フロアン (530m), Hōkyō-in 宝筺院 (620m), Seiryō-ji 清涼寺 (710m), Shōkaku-ji 正覚寺 (730m),... External links: Kyoto Navi, Kyoto Design, 京都風光, Satellite view, Map Keywords: Japan, 日本, Japon, Kyoto, 京都, arashiyama, 嵐山, 滝口寺, Takiguchi-dera, temple, 寺院, 仏閣 Statistics: visited on 2 occasions, id 531, 7 photos. |
