Overview
A temple whose grounds are covered with some 120 kinds of moss. Said to have been founded by Gyoki in 731; visits must be booked in advance.
About this place
Saihō-ji (西芳寺) is a Buddhist temple located in Matsuo, Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Rinzai school of Japanese Zen, and honzon is a statue of Amida Nyorai. The temple, which is famed for its moss garden, is commonly referred to as "Koke-dera" (苔寺), meaning "moss temple", while the formal name is "Kōinzan Saihō-ji" (洪隠山西芳寺). In 1994, Saihō-ji was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto". Over 120 types of moss are present in the two-tiered garden, resembling a beautiful green carpet with many subtle shades. The gardens of Saihō-ji are designated as both a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a National Historic Site.
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Source ja.wikipedia.org ↗Official website
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Source saihoji-kokedera.com ↗Before you go
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