Saihō-ji (Kyoto) in the context of "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto"

Play Trivia Questions online!

or

Skip to study material about Saihō-ji (Kyoto) in the context of "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto"




⭐ Core Definition: Saihō-ji (Kyoto)

Saihō-ji (西芳寺) is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Matsuo, Nishikyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. 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). The temple, primarily constructed to honor Amitābha, was founded by Gyōki and later restored by Musō Soseki. 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.

↓ Menu

In this Dossier

Saihō-ji (Kyoto) in the context of Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto

Nishikyō-ku (西京区) is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Its name means "west capital ward" and it is situated on the western edge of the city, to the south of center. The ward was established on October 1, 1976, after it was separated from Ukyō-ku. The Katsura River is the border between Nishikyo-ku and Ukyo-ku.

Katsura Imperial Villa, on that river, is one of the most widely known features of Nishikyo-ku. Saihō-ji, the Moss Temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the ward.

↑ Return to Menu