Rokuoin Temple
Rokuo-in鹿王院
Rokuoin Temple
Rokuo-in鹿王院
About Rokuoin Temple
Rokuo-in is a Rinzai Zen temple established in 1380 under the patronage of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Known as the "Deer King Temple," it offers a serene retreat with a celebrated flat karesansui (dry landscape) garden that uses Arashiyama's hills as borrowed scenery. The temple houses significant cultural treasures, including a relic of the Buddha's tooth and calligraphy by Yoshimitsu. It is also notable for offering a unique women-only temple stay facility.
Cultural Assets
Main Garden (Honteien)
Place of Scenic BeautyA flat karesansui moss garden incorporating Arashiyama as borrowed scenery, featuring a 300-year-old Mokkoku tree.
Buddha's Tooth Relic
Sacred ArtifactA highly revered relic housed within a gilded copper pagoda in the Reliquary Hall.
Mountain Gate (Sanmon)
Historic StructureA rare surviving example of 14th-century Kirizuma-style architecture.
Cultural Experiences
Temple Stay (Shukubo)
Reservation RequiredAvailability: Year-round (Women Only)
Autumn Night Illumination
No Reservation NeededAvailability: Mid-November to early December
Open daily.
¥200 for elementary and middle school students.
Plan for 45-90 minutes to enjoy the garden and atmosphere.
Gravel paths may make wheelchair access difficult.
Best Time to Visit
Autumn (mid-November to early December) for spectacular foliage and night illuminations.
Getting There
A 6-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station or a 2-minute walk from Rokuō-in Station on the Randen line.
Photography Policy
Photography is generally permitted outdoors but prohibited inside main halls and of sacred artifacts.
