Shogo-in Monzeki: the South Court of the Shinden
This season's opening
Autumn opening: 'Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Shogo-in'
- Hours
- Last entry 16:00. Open Fridays, weekends and holidays from Oct 10 to Dec 6, plus Wed–Thu Oct 21–22. Closed Nov 27–29 (more closures possible for temple services)
- Admission
- ¥800 adults, ¥600 secondary and university students, free for primary-school age and under with a guardian
- Booking
- No bookingNo booking for individuals; groups of 10 or more book ahead through Kyoto Shunju (fax 075-231-6420)
The normally closed Shinden hall, with Kano-school gold-ground paintings from the Great Entrance to the Upper Chamber, and the white-sand south court seen from it. Also the study hall (Important Cultural Property) and the main hall with its Fudo Myoo statue (ICP). Three works in Emperor Go-Mizunoo's own hand are shown for the first time
Photography is banned in most of the grounds. The opening is mostly at weekends; the only weekday dates are Oct 21–22 and Fridays
About the garden
The head temple of the Shugendo mountain ascetics, where Emperor Kokaku lived for about three years after the Great Fire of 1788 destroyed the Imperial Palace; it is a National Historic Site as a former temporary palace. Only during the autumn opening can you go up into the Shinden hall and look out over its south court of white Shirakawa sand.
Where to stand
As you move through the Shinden rooms from the Great Entrance to the Upper Chamber, alternate between the Kano-school gold-ground paintings and the south court outside. The court is a wide spread of white Shirakawa sand; on festival days mountain ascetics light the great saito goma fire in its centre, so take in that ceremonial openness from inside. Then go on to the study hall, an Important Cultural Property whose design is traditionally linked to Emperor Go-Mizunoo, and find the imported sheet glass set in its flower-shaped windows.
Practical notes
Shogo-in's Shinden hall and study open only on Fridays, weekends and holidays from Oct 10 to Dec 6, 2026, plus Oct 21–22 (10:00–16:00 last entry, ¥800; closed Nov 27–29). Photography is not allowed in most of the grounds. The Kumano-jinja-mae bus stop is about five minutes away, and Heian Shrine is a short walk to the south-east.
Tea and food nearby
Small places within walking distance. Check their opening days against the garden's.
- 3 min walk🍽 FoodKawamichiya Yoro (soba and hot pot)
A long-established soba and hot-pot house just west of Shogo-in, with tatami rooms and sunken kotatsu seating. A warm bowl of soba after the Shinden is exactly right.
Order：The Yoro hot pot, or soba such as tenzaru
11:00–20:00 (last order 19:00)Closed: Tuesdays (including Nov 3, a Shogo-in opening day)¥1,000–2,000 at lunch, ¥4,000–5,000 at dinnerDetails ↗ - 6 min walk☕ CafeTender Coffee Wonder Waffle
A small counter café upstairs in a building overlooking Kumano Shrine. Waffles and coffee, side by side at the counter, to talk over what you saw.
Order：A waffle and coffee (doria if you want a meal)
11:00–18:00Closed: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some irregular days (including Oct 21 and Nov 3, Shogo-in opening days). Cash only¥1,000–2,000Details ↗ - 6 min walk🍽 FoodKitchen Kujira
A fifteen-seat diner near Kyoto University Hospital whose daily set meal comes with several vegetable sides. Good for breakfast before the 10:00 opening or a proper lunch afterwards.
Order：The daily set meal
Mon–Fri 8:00–14:00 and 17:30–20:00; Sat 8:00–13:30Closed: Sundays per 2024–25 articles (Tabelog lists a Sunday lunch slot). Cash only¥1,000–2,000Details ↗