Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)

Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)Yoshimine-dera (善峯寺)

Yoshimine-dera is a large temple located on the side of the western hills of Kyoto. It was founded in 1029 by priest Gensan, and quickly received imperial patronage in 1034. Destroyed during the Onin war, the temple was later rebuilt; most of today's buildings date from the late 17th to 20th century.

The closest station is Nishi Muko (西向日), about 8km away. The distance should shield the temple from hordes of tourists, but Yoshimine-dera is well know for its cherry trees and is thus a major spot for hanami every April. The temple also has a commanding view of Kyoto, especially from its higher sections. Reaching the latter can be a bit hard not only because the slope is steep but also because you will have to find the right path. Keep the map you received at the entrance!

A less well-known point of this temple is an old pine tree that consists almost only of a single branch which runs supported over the ground on about 20 meters. It may well be the largest of its kind in Japan. It was named the "pine of the playing dragon" (遊龍の松) because, well, it looks like a very long dragon. Amazingly, the pine, which is 600 years old, used to be even longer: it reached 50 meters in 1994. It was cut after some parasites were found to threaten the whole tree.

These features and the large number of different buildings of different styles make Yoshimine a nice target for a day walk in the western part of Kyoto, more precisely in the Oharano (大原野) valley. There are several other temples in the area that are worth visiting, but keep in mind that some of them may be perched in the hills ;) One easy target is Sanko-ji, which can be reached by the upper gate of Yoshimine or even by an old path starting just before Yoshimine's parking lot at the bottom of the valley (great tip when Yoshimine-dera is packed!). If you use the old path, plan ahead to have the exact change to put in the upper gate money box as it may not be manned (Yoshimine's entrance fee is 500円). Another nice stop is Jurin-ji which is along the road to Yoshimine-dera.

Recommended for: Access:

Nearby: Sanko-ji 三鈷寺 (190m)

External links: Website, ウィキペディア, Wikipedia, Wikipédia, Kyoto Navi, Trip Advisor, Kyoto Design, 京都風光, Marutake, そうだ京都, Satellite view, Map

Keywords: Japan, 日本, Japon, Kyoto, 京都, Nishikyo, Yoshimine-dera, 善峯寺, temple, 寺院, 仏閣

Statistics: visited on 5 occasions, id 380, 42 photos (61 extra photos can be found in the archive).

Photos of Yoshimine-dera:

Wooden statue with sake glass offerings, Yoshimine-dera
Cherry blossoms on the grounds of Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Cherry blossoms and pilgrim in Yoshimine-dera temple. Kyoto, Japan
Cherry blossoms and bellflower-shaped windows, Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Yoshimine-dera temple gate structure detail, Kyoto, Japan
Stairs covered by a carpet of fallen maple leaves in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Top view of temple buildings lost in autumn foliage with Oharano valley in the distance, Kyoto, Japan
Stone pagoda and orange autumn colours, Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Stone pagoda and autumn colours in the upper garden of Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Hillside full of autumn colours over temple roof lines of Yoshimine-dera, Kyoto, Japan
Pristine wall and pure red autumn foliage in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Path covered by colorful maple trees in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Path between two falls passing under autumn foliage, Yoshimine temple, Kyoto, Japan
Autumn foliage around pillar marking the Okunoin section of Yoshiminedera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Maple trees in autumn over a path of Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Old wall bordering a path covered with red maple foliage in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Autumn colours above and carpet of fallen leaves below in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Temple buildings lost in autumn colors, Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Two ladies with umbrellas on a rainy autumn day in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Narrow stairs around a pavilion of Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Late autumn rainy day in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Stairs covered with a carpet of fallen autumn leaves in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Temple roof lines in autumn, Yoshimine-dera, Kyoto, Japan
Red maple foliage over stone stairs in Yoshimine-dera temple grounds, Kyoto, Japan
Students with umbrellas on a rainy autumn day in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Muted autumn colours on a rainy day in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Lantern and torii gates amidst autumn foliage in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Two umbrellas on a rainy autumn day in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Stone marker showing the way to a family grace in autumn, Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
Stone wall overlooking endless autumn colours in Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan
White wall and red autumn colours, Yoshimine-dera temple, Kyoto, Japan