Kyoto

Oct 4, 2014 - 1 min read

Agonshu Head Temple in Kyoto

Impressive temple in the hills of Higashiyama

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Purple curtains flutter in the wind

Decorative gold stud on the gate

A glimpse of the temple roof over the wall

The large and  impressive main hall

Blue hills in the distance

Some talented garden designer has done an excellent job of creating this view!

Attractive rock garden

Temple building behind a hedge of camellias

Beautiful red camellia

Tile capped temple wall

The bare branches of a weeping cherry promise spring beauty near one of the temple buildings

New Year decoration on an Ojizo Shrine nearby

Ojizo statue looking out on the world

A friend told me that the Society of Agonshu is a cult, but after seeing their English website it is probably fairer to describe them as a new-ish fundamentalist sect of Buddhism. The main hall of their head temple on the hills of Higashiyama is an impressive building in a beautiful setting. They have several interesting events throughout the year including a fire festival at New Year and a lantern festival at Obon in August. You can hike up to the temple from Rokusho Shrine in Yamashina, or from Awata Shrine near Keage and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way.

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Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

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