The Hojo Garden at Shūon-an Ikkyū-ji Temple is a peaceful Japanese rock garden in Kyotanabe, Kyoto Prefecture. Designed in the karesansui style, or dry landscape gardening, it uses carefully arranged stones to evoke natural scenery without relying on ponds or flowing water.
The garden is known for its striking arrangement of large rocks and its quiet atmosphere, which reflects the Zen Buddhist appreciation of simplicity, balance, and contemplation. Its design is associated with the Muromachi period (1336–1573), although the garden is also described as dating from the Edo period (1603–1868).
Shūon-an is a temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, belonging to the Daitoku-ji branch. Located in Kyotanabe, the temple is also widely known as Ikkyū-ji or “Takigi no Ikkyū-ji.” Its mountain name is Reizui-zan, and its principal object of worship is Shakyamuni Buddha.
The temple is closely associated with Ikkyū Sōjun (1394–1481), a celebrated Zen monk known for his unconventional character and sharp wit. The grounds include a wooden statue of Ikkyū, while the temple’s gardens offer visitors a chance to experience the contemplative atmosphere of traditional Zen culture.
The garden of Kōkyū-an, Ikkyū’s private residence, is traditionally attributed to Murata Jukō, a Muromachi-period tea master associated with the development of Japanese tea culture. The garden’s restrained composition reflects the aesthetic sensibilities of the period, inviting visitors to pause and appreciate the relationship between stone, space, and nature.
Shūon-an is also famous for Ikkyū-ji natto, a traditional fermented soybean food. This distinctive local specialty adds another dimension to a visit, connecting the temple’s religious heritage with the food culture that has developed around it.
With its tranquil rock garden, historical connection to Ikkyū Sōjun, and traditional culinary specialty, Shūon-an Ikkyū-ji Temple is a rewarding destination for visitors interested in Zen Buddhism, Japanese gardens, and Kyoto’s cultural heritage.
9:00-17:00 (Treasure House: 9:30-16:30)
No holidays
Entrance fee
Adults 500 yen (junior high school students and older)
Child 250 yen
20 minutes on foot from Shintanabe Station on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line