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Park & Garden

Hogonin

📍 36 Saga-Tenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8385, Japan
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★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Kyoto
Category
Park & Garden
Duration
30-45 min
Address
36 Saga-Tenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8385, Japan
Coordinates
35.0180, 135.6740

Introduction

Hogonin is a subtemple of Tenryu-ji in the Rinzai tradition, founded in 1461 by Seichu Eiko, burned five years later in the Onin War, revived in 1573 and rebuilt at the present site in 2002. Its fame rests on the stroll garden Shishiku no Niwa, attributed to the Zen monk Sakugen Shuryo, who travelled repeatedly to China. An artificial stream threads the whole garden, a lion-shaped rock crouches over one corner, and, best of all, the Arashiyama hills are borrowed as scenery so that moss, stone grouping and distant ridge read as one picture. The temple is normally closed and opens only for special spring and autumn viewings. In autumn the garden is lit after dark; in 2026 the night session runs 13 November to 6 December, 17:30-20:30, with day and night audiences fully separated and ticketed separately. It sits beside Tenryu-ji, an easy walk from Togetsukyo Bridge and the bamboo grove.

✨ Highlights

1
Subtemple of Tenryu-ji
Founded 1461, rebuilt at the current site in 2002.
2
Shishiku no Niwa
A stroll garden by Sakugen Shuryo borrowing the Arashiyama hills.
3
Lion Rock and Stream
A crouching boulder and a stream circling the whole garden.
4
Seasonal Openings Only
Normally closed; check that season's dates before travelling.
5
Autumn Night Illumination
Lit maples, 13 Nov-6 Dec in 2026.
6
Separate Day and Night Sessions
Each session needs its own ticket.

🛈 Practical Info

→Time Needed：30-45 min; 2 h with Tenryu-ji's garden and Togetsukyo Bridge.
→Cost：Autumn garden JPY 700; night viewing JPY 1,000.
→Sessions：The garden clears at 17:00 and reopens at 17:30 for the ticketed night session.
→Parking：No temple car park; paid lots around Arashiyama.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday仅春秋特别拜观
Tuesday仅春秋特别拜观
Wednesday仅春秋特别拜观
Thursday仅春秋特别拜观
Friday仅春秋特别拜观
Saturday仅春秋特别拜观
Sunday仅春秋特别拜观

Normally closed; 2026 autumn opening 3 Oct-6 Dec, 09:00-17:00, with night illumination 13 Nov-6 Dec, 17:30-20:30

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultAutumn garden JPY 700

Night viewing JPY 1,000, JPY 300 for children; day and night sessions are separate tickets

Transportation

Subway

13 min from JR Saga-Arashiyama

Bus

5 min from Randen Arashiyama; buses to Tenryuji-mae

Driving/Parking

Paid parking around Arashiyama

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Hogonin?

Monday: 仅春秋特别拜观; Tuesday: 仅春秋特别拜观; Wednesday: 仅春秋特别拜观; Thursday: 仅春秋特别拜观; Friday: 仅春秋特别拜观; Saturday: 仅春秋特别拜观; Sunday: 仅春秋特别拜观; Normally closed; 2026 autumn opening 3 Oct-6 Dec, 09:00-17:00, with night illumination 13 Nov-6 Dec, 17:30-20:30

How much is the admission for Hogonin?

Adult: Autumn garden JPY 700; Night viewing JPY 1,000, JPY 300 for children; day and night sessions are separate tickets

How long should I spend at Hogonin?

A typical visit takes 30-45 min.

How do I get to Hogonin?

Subway: 13 min from JR Saga-Arashiyama; Bus: 5 min from Randen Arashiyama; buses to Tenryuji-mae; Driving/Parking: Paid parking around Arashiyama