Enkouji Temple Photography Guide
Enkouji Temple is located in the northeast of Kyoto. Especially for photographers this place is fun because of the versatile garden, which is located behind the main building. At any time of the year and day, you can take fantastic pictures here, even when the sun is high during lunchtime, thanks to the tall trees. There is a small bamboo forest, many stone paths, and if you are attentive you will also discover small Buddha statues in the enchanting moss garden.
Enkouji Temple in Kyoto is a Buddhist temple built in 1601 by Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa as a school. The temple houses many works of art and relics from Japan’s history, including the main image of the thousand-armed Kannon, a statue of Zenji Zenji, screens with bamboo groves, and produced wooden fonts from the early modern period. In the cemetery of the temple there are also the graves of historical figures.
Best time to visit
Enkouji Temple in Kyoto can be visited all year round and at any time of day. In winter, when the first snow has fallen, you can admire the snow-covered gardens. In spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the temple becomes picturesque. In summer, the moss garden shines in seeded green and the tall trees cast shadows. And then in autumn, you can enjoy the blaze of colors of the autumn leaves.
Since Enkouji does not open its gates until 9:00 a.m., the sun is already high enough for the first rays of sunlight to rise behind the hill.
How to get to Enkouji Temple
The best way to reach Enkouji Temple is by public transport. The fastest way is to take the metro “Karasuma Line” from Kyoto station to Matsugasaki Station (about 20min) and then either take the Line 8 bus to the bus stop “Ichijoji Shimizucho” (about 16min) or walk the 2.3km (about 30min). Since the bus only runs every 30min, the walk can be worth it.
Alternatively, you can take the Line 5 bus to the “Ichijoji Sagarimatsucho” stop without changing buses. The trip also takes only 50min, but it may be that you have to stand because of rush hour the whole trip.
Best photography spots at Enkouji Temple
Especially the view from the porch of the main building is an iconic image with great framing. White in winter with a little luck, green in summer and filled with orange tones in autumn. Attentive visitors will spot the great Buddha statues in the moss garden. At the same time, the gate between the rock garden and the moss garden offers great framing. Lastly, the bamboo garden also provides a great escape line.
- Exact location: 34°59’40.6″N 135°47’07.7″E
- Very crowded location on a wooden balcony.
- Nearly impossible to use tripod here.
- Share this place with other visitors.
- Exact location: 34°59’39.3″N 135°47’07.8″E
- Less crowded than the balcony.
- Tripod possible, nevertheless sometimes difficult.
- Share this place with other visitors.
- Exact location: 34°59’42.4″N 135°47’01.3″E
- Less crowded than the balcony.
- Tripod possible, nevertheless sometimes difficult.
- Exact location: 34°59’41.2″N 135°47’03.7″E
- Less crowded than the balcony.
- Tripod possible, nevertheless sometimes difficult.
- Tip: try a picture from the ground slightly upwards
Photography spots near-by you don’t want to miss
There is a lot to explore in the surroundings of Enkouji Temple. Here is a short list of photography locations which shouldn’t miss.
- Exact location: 35°02’27.3″N 135°48’08.3″E
- The small Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- Within a valley with only few hours of light. Good for a midday visit.
- Tripod can be used.
- Exact location: 35°02’38.7″N 135°47’46.7″E
- The entry is a small path on the opposite side of the parking lot.
- Can quickly be reached by foot from Enkouji Temple.
- Amazing porch with view on the garden.
Opening Hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Entrance Fee: 500 ¥
Best time: All year long
Homepage: enkouji.jp
Photography Equipment: No drones allowed | Tripod not recommended
