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kajikawa, CC BY 3.0
Saiho-ji (Kokedera / Moss Temple)
西芳寺（苔寺）Kyoto · Kansai
Advance reservation required. UNESCO Rinzai Zen temple famous for its moss garden (120+ moss species) around a heart-shaped pond; strictly reservation-only, requires sutra-copying or zazen before garden access.
- Crowd level
- Moderate
- Rating
- 4.5· 2,033 reviews
- Opening hours
- Seasonal — see below
- Admission
- ¥4,000 standard (¥3,000 under 30); +¥110 if booking online. Includes required sutra-copying/zazen session.
- Nearest station
- Matsuo-Taisha Station (Hankyu Arashiyama Line)
- Website
- saihoji-kokedera.com
Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.
Admission
- ¥4,000 standard (¥3,000 under 30); +¥110 if booking online. Includes required sutra-copying/zazen session.
Note
- By advance reservation only — there are no walk-in visiting hours.
- Apply ahead through the temple's official reservation site for an assigned date and time slot.
How to get there
20 min walk from Matsuo-Taisha Station, or Kyoto Bus #63/73/83 to Kokedera・Suzumushidera stop (~8 min, ¥230).
Tags
templegardenunesco
Location
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