Jikoin Temple is a temple of the Daitokuji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, located in Koizumi-cho, Yamatokoriyama City, Nara Prefecture. Its mountain name is Entsuizan, and its principal object of worship is Shakyamuni Buddha. The temple was founded in the early Edo period by Katagiri Sadamasa, also known as Sekishu, the lord of the Koizumi Domain and a celebrated tea master. He established the temple in memory of his father, Katagiri Sadataka.
Jikoin is particularly renowned for its elegant architecture, carefully composed dry landscape garden, and deep connection with the Japanese tea ceremony. Its understated beauty reflects the Zen ideals of simplicity, harmony, and quiet contemplation.
Jikoin was founded in 1663 by Katagiri Sadamasa, the originator of the Sekishu school of tea ceremony. The temple’s name was taken from the Buddhist posthumous name of his father, Sadataka: Jikoin-den Settei Soryu Koji.
Sadamasa invited Gyokushu, the 185th abbot of Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto, to serve as the founding abbot. Gyokushu was also known by the honorific name Daitetsu Myo’o Zenji. Under their influence, Jikoin developed into a place where Zen practice and the refined culture of tea could be experienced together.
The shoin, or reception hall, is one of Jikoin’s most distinguished buildings. Its farmhouse-inspired design features a thatched hipped-and-gabled roof with a tiled eave around the building. The interior is arranged into three principal rooms known as the upper, middle, and lower rooms, each measuring 13 tatami mats.
The upper room includes a traditional alcove and an attached study alcove, yet omits the prominent horizontal beams often found in formal Japanese interiors. Its low ceiling and low lintels create an intimate atmosphere suited to seated conversation and tea gatherings. On the north side is a compact three-tatami tea room arranged in the reverse-hand configuration, known as kankashitsu.
From the reception hall, visitors can enjoy a broad view across the Nara Basin. The surrounding landscape becomes part of the composition, creating a classic example of shakkei, or borrowed scenery, in Japanese garden design.
The tea room known as Korin-an is an intimate space measuring two tatami mats plus a small additional area. Its layout places the host’s preparation space in front of the alcove, creating a distinctive arrangement known as a teishu-doko.
The room reflects Katagiri Sekishu’s taste for restrained elegance. Rather than relying on elaborate decoration, its appeal comes from carefully considered proportions, natural materials, and the quiet atmosphere central to the tea ceremony.
The temple’s Ibaraki Gate is traditionally said to have been relocated from Ibaraki Castle in the former Settsu Province, in present-day Osaka Prefecture. Its roof was changed to thatch after relocation.
Ibaraki Castle was dismantled under the Tokugawa government’s policy of limiting the number of castles in each domain. The gate at Jikoin is therefore valued as a surviving architectural element associated with the history of the former castle.
Jikoin’s garden combines white gravel, carefully pruned shrubs such as azaleas, and the distant scenery of the Nara Basin. The garden’s dry landscape composition, known as karesansui, evokes natural forms without relying on a pond or flowing water.
The view from the shoin is especially admired. The garden and distant landscape work together as a single visual composition, allowing visitors to appreciate the changing light, seasonal colors, and spacious views of the basin.
The garden has been designated both a Place of Scenic Beauty and a Historic Site in Japan, recognizing its landscape design and historical importance.
From the upper room of the shoin, visitors can look out over the garden and the wider landscape. Exploring the reception hall, Kankashitsu, and Korin-an offers an opportunity to appreciate the subtle differences between spaces designed for formal reception and those intended for intimate tea gatherings.
The architecture demonstrates how tea culture in the early Edo period brought together practical design, aesthetic refinement, and Zen-inspired simplicity.
The inner courtyard contains several features associated with the temple’s tea culture, including a statue of Katagiri Sekishu and traditional stone water basins. Among them are basins known by the names Dokuzai, Kakubarazu, and Onna-no-ji, the last distinguished by a character resembling the Japanese word for woman.
A tsukubai, a low water basin used for ritual handwashing before entering a tea room, adds to the traditional atmosphere. These elements illustrate the importance of thoughtful preparation and quiet ritual in Japanese tea practice.
Inside the main hall, the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha is accompanied by images of the temple’s founder, Katagiri Sekishu, and its founding abbot, Gyokushu. Together, they commemorate the people who shaped Jikoin’s religious and cultural identity.
The Shoin and its associated water basins: The reception hall and three traditional stone water basins known as Dokuzai, Kakubarazu, and Onna-no-ji are recognized for their cultural value.
Korin-an Tea Room and its associated tsukubai: The tea room and its accompanying stone water basin preserve important features of the tea culture associated with Katagiri Sekishu.
The garden: The dry landscape garden and its borrowed scenery of the Nara Basin are designated for their scenic and historical significance.
Statue of Katagiri Sekishu: The statue commemorates the tea master regarded as the founder of the Sekishu school of tea ceremony and the person responsible for establishing Jikoin.
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., year-round.
Admission: ¥1,000, including matcha green tea and a traditional Japanese sweet.
The tea and sweet provide a fitting way to experience the temple’s connection with Japanese tea culture. Visitors should allow time to appreciate the architecture and garden at a relaxed pace.
By JR train: From Yamato-Koizumi Station on the JR Yamatoji Line, the temple is approximately a 15-minute walk.
By Kintetsu train and bus: From Kintetsu-Koriyama Station on the Kintetsu Kashihara Line, take a Nara Kotsu bus on route 24, 50, 71, 72, or 97. Get off at either the Jikoin or Katagiri Nishi Elementary School bus stop.
From Horyuji Interchange on the Nishi-Meihan Expressway, follow Prefectural Route 5, National Route 25, and Prefectural Route 9 toward the temple. Free parking is available for visitors.
Kinrin-in is a Tendai Buddhist temple in the Koizumi neighborhood. Visiting it alongside Jikoin offers an opportunity to explore more of the area’s religious and historical heritage.
Approximately 10 minutes away by car, the Koriyama Castle ruins are a popular historical destination. The surrounding grounds are especially attractive during cherry blossom season in spring and the autumn foliage season.
Jikoin Temple offers a distinctive encounter with the tea culture and Zen philosophy associated with Katagiri Sekishu. Its Important Cultural Property reception hall and tea room, celebrated garden, and historic Ibaraki Gate reveal the refined aesthetic of the early Edo period.
With matcha and a traditional sweet included in the admission fee, visitors can experience more than a conventional temple visit. Take time to admire the garden, appreciate the simplicity of the architecture, and enjoy the peaceful view across the Nara Basin. For anyone exploring Yamatokoriyama, Jikoin is an especially rewarding place to discover the harmony of Japanese architecture, garden design, and tea ceremony.