Enkouji Temple | Review by wendy

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Enkouji Temple

A historical Zen temple opened by Ieyasu Tokugawa. Popular for its picturesque views of Kyoto City from atop its hills.

29 Sep 2026 See More

Enkouji Temple is a historic Zen temple founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Compared with many of Kyoto's popular attractions, it's less crowded and has a more peaceful, relaxed atmosphere.

It's truly beautiful during the fresh green season. The lush green garden, old temple, and surrounding mountain scenery create a very relaxing atmosphere. There also aren't as many visitors as at Shisen-do Temple, so you can walk around and take in the sights at your own pace. It really feels like an escape from the noise of the city.

When visiting Enkouji Temple, don't stop at just the garden. Be sure to keep going deeper into the grounds, then follow the slope uphill! Once you reach the top, the view suddenly opens up, and you can look out over the city of Kyoto. The greenery of the mountains stretches all the way to the cityscape, making for a very pleasant view.

Although you have to walk up a bit of a slope, the scenery from the top is definitely worth it. This is also one of my favorite places in Kyoto.

Other Reviews by wendy

NyanNyan-Ji

Located in Kyoto’s Yase area, NyanNyan-Ji occupies a century-old traditional house renovated in the style of a temple. Known as a sacred place for cat lovers, its principal deity is Dainichi Nyarai, a beckoning-cat incarnation of the Buddha. The museum also enshrines Susanaru no Mikoto and Nekoterasu no Okami, creating a unique space where art and good fortune intersect.
- Okazaki, Ginkakuji, Ohara
- Museums
29 Sep 2026 See More

Who knew Kyoto had such a unique "cat temple" tucked away! At first glance, it looks like a temple, but it isn't actually an official temple. It's a distinctive space that combines temple decor, a café, shops, and cats.

The most special part is that seven cats live here as abbots. Each one has its own personality, and the entire place is filled with cat-themed touches. Cat lovers will probably find it hard to stop taking pictures.

It's about a 17-minute walk from Cable Enryakuji Station, and the stroll there is very pleasant. If you get tired from exploring, you can have a glass of milk with some cookies and sit back and relax while taking in this very different cat world.
Ginkaku-ji

This temple was built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, as a villa called "Higashiyama-den". Along with Kinkakuji Temple, this temple is a pagoda temple outside of Shokokuji Temple (i.e., a hermitage built in a different location from the main temple after his retirement). After Yoshimasa's death, the temple was named Jishoji after his Buddhist name.
- Okazaki, Ginkakuji, Ohara
- Shrines & Temples
29 Sep 2026 See More

I walked along the Philosopher's Path to Ginkaku-ji. Although it was still some distance away, taking a leisurely walk and looking at the streets along the way was actually very pleasant. Outside Ginkaku-ji is a shopping street full of small shops and snacks, so you can browse around before going in. Admission is JPY 500, and the moment I stepped into the temple grounds, I was genuinely struck by how beautiful it was.

It doesn't have the dazzling splendor of Kinkaku-ji. Instead, it feels peaceful, understated, and elegant. The carefully maintained garden, pond, moss, and neatly trimmed trees, paired with the traditional architecture, naturally make you slow down. The grounds aren't very large, and it takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to follow the route around. There's also a path in the back that leads uphill. From the top, you can look back and take in the entire garden and the scenery of Kyoto, offering a different kind of view.

There were definitely a lot of visitors, but that didn't take away from the peaceful and comfortable atmosphere. Also, throughout this walk, I kept hearing familiar Taiwanese accents. It really seems like Taiwanese travelers love Kyoto!
Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market is located on Nishikikoji Street, north of Shijo Street, Kyoto’s main street. The fish market thrived here, and in 1615, it received official permission from the Edo Shogunate to expand. It is called “Kyoto’s kitchen” and offers a wide range of foods such as Kyoto vegetables, fresh-water fish from Lake Biwa, Hamo (conger pike), Guji (tilefish), Sasakarei (half-dried flounder), Yuba (tofu skin), Namafu, and pickles. Most of Kyoto’s special ingredients can be found here.
- Kyoto Station, Shijo Kawaramachi, Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Shopping Streets
29 Sep 2026 See More

Nishiki Market is definitely a stop you can't miss in Kyoto! Known as “Kyoto's Kitchen,” Nishiki Market has a history of more than 400 years. It stretches about 400 meters and is lined with more than 130 shops offering everything from Kyoto specialties, pickles, tofu, and seafood to all kinds of souvenirs. Walking through it gives you a real sense of everyday life in Kyoto.

The market isn't just a place to “eat”—it's more like a food stroll through Kyoto. Every shop has its own specialties, and browsing and choosing foods you like as you go is really part of the fun! One important reminder when visiting Nishiki Market: don't eat while walking! The market street is fairly narrow, so to avoid getting food on other visitors and to help keep the market clean, it's best to eat purchased food in the shop's designated area or dine inside.