Rozan-ji Temple, Kyoto

The Rozan-ji Temple is located to the East of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto on the site of a former mansion that belonged to the father of Murasaki Shikibu, a noblewoman who went down in history as the author of the epic 11th century novel, The Tale of Genji. Many visitors come here regularly to pay homage to Lady Murasaki.

The temple was constructed in the year 938 on a hill, called Funaokayama, by the Buddhist priest Ganzan Daishi. In 1571, many of the local temples were burned down by the warlord Oda Nobunaga. Unlike those unfortunate ones, the Rozan-ji temple escaped destruction. Emperor Kokaku commissioned its expansion and the work at its present site started soon after.

Today, Rozan-ji is the final resting place of numerous princes, princesses and other prominent personalities from the Edo period. Among them is Jocho Busshi, the renowned Heian-era sculptor, maker of Buddhist statuary. Fronting the temple is a small moss and gravel garden with beautiful bellflower plants. The Day of Setsubun, a traditional annual court ceremony of driving out demons, is performed here on the 2nd and 3rd of February.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Kyoto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Rozan-ji Temple
Sight Location: Kyoto, Japan (See walking tours in Kyoto)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Imperial Kyoto Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Kyoto, Japan

Create Your Own Walk in Kyoto

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles

Imperial Kyoto Walking Tour

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles

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Among its notable landmarks is the Minamiza Kabuki Theater, a venue where... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles

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One of Higashiyama's most... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

View all walking tours in Kyoto, Japan

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