The garden of Moss temple was designed by the famous garden designer, Muso Soseki, who also designed the garden of Tenryuji temple. But in those days, the garden was totally different from the current one. It has a pond with islands in its center. The garden didn't have moss on the ground. Instead, it had cherry trees and a pavilion like the one in Ginkakuji temple.
The founder of Ginkakuji temple, the third shogun, Yoshimasa, really loved the garden of Saihoji temple ( moss temple ), He used to say it was like a pureland in paradise. He frequently visited the garden and enjoy the scenery from the boat on the pond or the view from upstairs of the pavilion. We can imagine how beautiful it was and how colorful it was.
However, the history was getting to engulf such a beautiful garden and the pureland had gone.
The war of Onin （1467-1478） destroyed the city of Kyoto, and most of the temples were burnt down. Saihoji was no exception. The beautiful sight had disappeared and the garden was devastated Such devastation had remained for a certain period.
The temple had no longer any visitors...
Only the visitor was "moss"
Little by little, little by little, moss spread over the ground, came to cover the ground and created such a beautiful green world by taking a long long period of time.
When you are in the garden, the garden seems to be a large scale oｆ a living matter and you are sure to feel you are a part of it. The air refreshes you and enable you to be something different.
Moss Temple ( Saiho-ji )
To visit there, you are required to make a reservation by reply-paid card in advance.
admission : 3000 yen
condition : participation in Buddhist sutra writing
access : Kyoto bus ( not Kyoto city bus)
bus stop ; Kokedera mae
