Kozanji-ji temple
[Official Name] Kozan-ji temple
[Location] Umegabatake-toganoo-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi
[Kaiso] Myoue-Shonin
[Origin] This temple, in the Toganoo-yama mountain, was built in the Nara era. It was rebuilt by the command of monk-Emperor Gotoba-jyoko.


ornamental hairpin

pine Famous Spots
pine The Architecture
pine Myoue-Shonin and the Tea Plantation]

Famous Spots
The absolutely calm precinct itself, is designated as a historical spot. There are Japan's oldest tea plantation and the Sekisuien in the precinct. The tea plantation was originally made from the tea, the Zen priest, Eisai brought home to. The simple appearance of the Sekisuien is built in the Kamakura Shinden-zukuri (palace) style.


The Architecture
The monk-Emperor, Gotoba-jyoko's study was moved to make the Sekisuien. This building was built in the early 13th century, and is a Jyutaku-fu style architecture. There still remains an elegant vestige of the Kamakura palace style architecture. Akie Kamihito, who loved the nature lived here in Kozan-ji temple, and this temple is said to be the ideal image of Japanese cultural beauty.


Myoue-shonin and the Tea Plantation
Myoue-Shonin used the Kozan-ji temple as his training house. Also, it is said that the custom of drinking tea started, after Eisai brought back some tea to Akie Kamihito as a gift, on his second studying abroad.

The Registration Order of Japan's Cultural Heritages
Chronological table
The Map of Japan's Cultural Heritages