Kyoto 2019: Jojakkoji Temple

Just north of Arashiyama’s bamboo grove are three temples that are built on forested hills. I visited all three of them, starting with Jojakkoji Temple.

Originally founded in 1596, Jojakkoji Temple is a peaceful getaway from the nearby crowds that surge through other parts of Arashiyama. There’s a nice balance of trees, moss, and bamboo across the temple grounds and Jojakkoji’s buildings blend harmoniously with the scenery around them. Further up the slope you can find a pagoda that dates back to 1620 and there’s also a spot on the hill where you can get a view over the trees and down onto the city.