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Konchi-in Review

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Konchi-in

Address: 86 Fukuchi-cho, Nanzen-ji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto

Category: Religious Sites
Location: Sakyo-ku

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Fodor's Review:

Famous tea master and landscape designer Kobori Enshu completed the gardens in 1632, under commission by the Zen priest Suden. One garden has a pond in the shape of the Chinese character kokoro (heart). The other is a dry garden with a gravel area in the shape of a boat; a large flat stone representing the home of the Daoist immortals, Mount Horai; and a backdrop of o-karikomi (tightly pruned shrubbery). The two rock groupings in front of a plant-filled mound are in the crane-and-tortoise style. Since ancient times these creatures have been associated with longevity, beauty, and eternal youth. In the feudal eras the symbolism of the crane and the tortoise became very popular with the samurai class, whose profession often left them with only the hope of immortality. Though not on the same grounds, this temple is part of the Nanzen-ji complex. To get here, leave Nanzen-ji and take the side street to the left.

Cost: ¥400
Open: Mar.-Nov., daily 8:30-5; Dec.-Feb., daily 8:30-4:30

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