Anraku-ji Garden (Shishigatani)
This season's opening
Autumn opening
- Hours
- 10:00–16:00. Open Nov 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 14 and 15, then daily Nov 21–Dec 6
- Admission
- ¥500 (free for junior-high age and under)
- Booking
- No bookingNo booking mentioned (city tourism listing)
The normally closed temple grounds: the garden set against the Higashiyama hills, the graves of Juren and Anraku, and the memorial stones for Matsumushi and Suzumushi. The city listing describes it as an autumn opening with a special showing of cultural properties
Dates, hours and fee are from the city tourism listing; check the temple's own site too. From Nov 21 you can pair it on the same day with Reikan-ji's autumn viewing (expected), a few minutes' walk away
About the garden
The temple began as the hermitage where Juren and Anraku, disciples of Honen, preached. After two of Emperor Go-Toba's consorts, Matsumushi and Suzumushi, took vows under their influence, the two monks were put to death. Memorial stones for all four remain in the grounds, and you can see them, with a garden set against the Higashiyama hills, only during short spring and autumn openings.
Where to stand
Look up at the thatched gate from outside before you walk through. Inside, rounded clipped satsuki azaleas take up most of the garden, with the trees of the Higashiyama hills rising behind. With no flowers in autumn, the clipped outlines and the line where they meet the autumn colour behind should read clearly. Before you leave, stop at the graves of Juren and Anraku and the memorial stones for Matsumushi and Suzumushi.
Practical notes
Anraku-ji is normally closed. In autumn 2026 it opens Nov 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 14 and 15, then daily Nov 21–Dec 6, 10:00–16:00, ¥500; these details come from the Kyoto city tourism listing, so double-check with the temple before you go. It sits a few minutes up the slope from the Philosopher's Path, between Honen-in and Reikan-ji, so the three make an easy morning on foot.
Tea and food nearby
Small places within walking distance. Check their opening days against the garden's.
- 3 min walk☕ CafeShishigatani Cafe
A twelve-seat drinks-only café near Honen-in. With no food on the menu, it suits a single cup and a talk between temple visits.
Order：Coffee or another drink (no food)
- 4 min walk☕ CafeKoan (coffee)
A coffee shop in a renovated old house, opened in June 2025 and doubling as a barista's showroom. It is just down the slope from both Anraku-ji and Reikan-ji, so it fits neatly between the two.
Order：Coffee and a pastry
- 9 min walkfrom Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) Garden☕ CafePomme (apple café)
An apple-themed café on the Philosopher's Path, with drinks and cakes built around apples and a few terrace seats. It sits right where you want a break walking south from Ginkaku-ji toward Honen-in and Anraku-ji.
Order：Apple and soy-milk drink, apple-cinnamon cake