5 Best summer retreats : Japanese  gardens in Kyoto

Generally, the summer season(July to September) in Japan can be hot and humid. According to a weather site, the hottest month of the year in Kyoto was August, with an average high of 89 °F and it’s getting higher year by year.

https://weatherspark.com/y/143438/Average-Weather-in-Kyoto-Japan-Year-Round

To make your summer experience in Kyoto more enjoyable and comfortable, I recommend visiting Japanese gardens with beautiful nature.
Japanese gardens are featured with natural materials, such as rocks, waterfalls, wooden or stone bridges and carefully selected plantings which bloom with seasonal flowers or turn color in fall.
These gardens are known for sense of peace and tranquility, can be an excellent choice for a summer retreat.

Here are highly regarded Japanese gardens known for their beauty and tranquility that could make for a wonderful summer retreat

Enko-ji temple

Enko-ji temple is a buddhist temple which is the Zen sect, located in eastern part of Kyoto city. This temple has three main beautiful gardens : a strolling garden, a bamboo cave and a modern dry garden. One of the best-known aspects of Enkoji temple is its picturesque garden views from a room that offers different visual delights in each season. Especially, in summer time, you can experience vibrant green maple leaves and moss. The shade from trees, bamboo and the temples’s serene atmosphere can offer a refreshing escape from the summer heat.

Information

Open hours
9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Admission
Adults: 600yen
High school to elementary school students: 300yen

Official site(English)
https://www.enkouji.jp/en/

Address
13 Ichijoji Kotanicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8147

It’s 15 minute walk away from nearest station: Eizan line Ichijoji station to Enko-ji temple

Ruriko-in

Ruriko-in temple is a buddhist temple, Shingon sect. This temple is located in northern east part of Kyoto city, specifically Yase ward where the Takano river runs through this area which is popular summer spot for visitors.

This Ruriko-in temple is renown for a magical view that reflects from a large lacquered black table. This reflection creates a breathtaking scene that are mainly green maple leaves. In addition to the reflective table, This temple offers various beautiful sceneries from a tea room where visitors can enjoy tea while appreciating the vibrant greenery.

Information

Open hours
July 13th to August 18th
10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.(The office closes at 4:30p.m.)

Admission
Adults: 2000yen
Children: 1000yen
Elementary school students and under age: free

Official site(Japanese)
http://rurikoin.komyoji.com

Address
〒606-0067 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Kamitakano Higashiyama, ５５

It’s 4 minute walk away from nearest station: Eizan main line Yase-Hieizanguchi Station to Ruriko-in temple

Sanzen-in temple

Sanzen-in temple is a historical Buddhist temple, which is Tendai sect. It’s located in northern part of Kyoto city area, Sakyo ward, Ohara. Ohara area is known for summer retreat, because of its natural beauty and serene atmosphere. An authentic Japanese garden with a pond and hill from Guest hall”Kyakuden” where is the main of this temple building. After enjoying this view, visitors stroll through the moss garden with maple and cedar trees, known for a tranquil atmosphere and playful stone statues peeking.

Information

Open hours
March to Octber
9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

November
8:30a.m. – 5:00p.m.

December to February
9:00a.m. – 4:30p.m.

Admission
Adults: 700yen
High school and Junior high students: 400yen
Elementary school students and under age: 150yen

Official site(English)
http://www.sanzenin.or.jp/en/

Address
540 Ohararaikoincho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1242

It’s 11 minute walk away from nearest bus stop: Ohara bus stop to Sanzen-in temple

Hosenin temple

Hosenin is a temple located in Sakyo district, Ohara area, 5-minute walk from Sanzenin Temple. This temple has three gardens and one of the famous gardens is ”Ban kan en“, which called frame garden, admiring it for visitors as if looking through a picture frame with the pillars and entrance gate of the main hall symbolizing the frame. The majestic 700 years old white pine tree in this garden captures a breathtaking beauty.

Information

Open hours
9:00a.m. ~ 5:00p.m.(The office closes at 4:30p.m.)

Admission
Adults: 900yen
High school to elementary school students: 800yen
Elementary school students: 700yen

for Admission ticket and Green tea with Japanese sweets

Official site(Japanese)
http://hosenin.net

Address
187 Oharashorinincho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1241

It’s 7 minute walk away from nearest bus stop: Ohara bus stop to Housenin temple

Kifune shrine

Kifune shrine is a historical Shinto shrine, located in the northern part of Kyoto city. This shrine dedicated to a deity that protect Kyoto’s water source. This shrine is renown as spiritual views whose are vermilion color lanterns along the main shrine front path of stairs. There is Kifune Kaido, which is the pedestrian pathway, leading to Kyoto shrine. This pathway is also popular for visitor and tourists to enjoy the beautiful natural surrounding and historical landscapes.  

Information

Open hours
6:00a.m. – 8:00p.m.

Admission
Free

Official site(English)
https://kifunejinja.jp/en/info/

Address
180 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112

It’s 32 minute walk away from nearest station: Eizan line Kibuneguchi station to Kifune shrine