Mimuroto-ji (三室戸寺)

Mimuroto-ji (三室戸寺) was established in 770 but like so many temples it burned several times. The current main hall dates from a more recent 1814. The temple is primarily known for the well tended garden that covers its valley, and that contains numerous species of flowers set among the tall pine trees. The most popular time to visit it is in May and June for the hydrangea (紫陽花), tsutsuji and satsuki (two types of azaleas) seasons. It is probably the best place to photograph flowers in Kyoto and is thus nicknames the "flower temple" (花寺). Another temple in the Oharano valley, Shoji-ji (勝持寺), also has this nickname though ;-)

The temple being a bit far in Uji city (宇治) south of Kyoto, it is best visited as a day trip and combined with other temples in the area, such as Kosho-ji (興聖寺) and Byodo-in (平等院), as well as Manpuku-ji (萬福寺).