Matcha Green Tea And Japanese Treats At Jikoin Temple's Garden In Nara

Within the Temple Grounds

A path made of stones connects the gates to the temple grounds. On sunny days, take a stroll along the beautiful path where the rays of sun shine through the leaves of the trees.

After going past the front gates, you will find a study hall with a thatched roof (*1). Formally, people were able to enter the study hall directly from this entrance, but it is now closed to the public and a separate entrance is available.

Within the study, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the garden while savoring some matcha green tea and wagashi sweets. The wagashi treat is in the shape of the Katagiri family's kamon (*1).

*1 Kamon: an official family crest.

Jikoin Temple's garden is considered to be one of Nara's top three representative gardens. Various types of trees are planted in the white sand covered grounds, making it a perfect spot to enjoy the seasonal scenery and to find peace.

Along with the study hall, there is the tea room, the Kannon hall, and the main temple that is a must-see. Take this opportunity to explore freely on your own.

In the main temple, you will find a statue of the seated Buddha. It is said that this statue was in the previous temple where Jikoin now stands.

Dishes You Can Eat at Jikoin Temple

At Jikoin Temple, you can order warm Jion soba noodles. During the summer, there are cold somen noodles called Sekishumen as well. Both are 1000 yen with tax. If you visit in a small group, you can order it and have it made on the spot. Along with the noodles, you can taste some dishes made with organic vegetables harvested in Jikoin Temple.

If you reserve before noon the previous day, you can savor a traditional Buddhist-style meal for 3800 yen or 6300 yen with tax.

Basic Information

Visiting hours are from 9:00-17:00 and the temple is open all year. Admission and matcha green tea are 1000 yen with tax included.

How to Reach Jikoin Temple

The closest bus stop to Jikoin Temple is Katagiri Nishi Shogakko stop. After getting off the bus, walk about two minutes until you reach a parking lot. Once you spot the sign in the photo above, continue up the path until you reach the temple. Below, you will find instructions on how to get to the Katagiri Nishi Shogakko bus stop from Shin-Osaka and Kyoto.

Arriving from Shin-Osaka Station

After departing Osaka Station on the JR Kyoto line, transfer to the JR Yamatoji Line bound for Nara. Get off at Yamato Koizumi Station. It takes around an hour and ten minutes with transfers and costs 710 yen.

From JR Yamato Koizumi Station to Jikoin Temple, it is about a twenty minute walk. You can also get on the bus bound for Kintetsu Koriyama Station and get off at Katagiri Nishi Shogakko stop. It takes around five minutes and costs 190 yen.

** Please note that Shin-Osaka Station (bullet train station) and Osaka Station (standard train station) are different stations found in different locations.

Arriving from Kyoto Station

Get on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line bound for Kajihara Jingu-mae and get off at Kintetsu Koriyama Station. It takes around fifty minutes and costs 690 yen.

From Kintetsu Koriyama Station, transfer to a bus bound for Horyuji (takes approximately twenty minutes) or a bus bound for Koizumi Station East Exit (takes about twenty-five minutes) and get off at Katagiri Nishi Shogakko. It costs 380 yen.

Please be advised that both buses do not run frequently and only two-three buses are available per hour.

Recommending Convenient Bus Tours

Along with Jikoin Temple, Nara has many spots that are difficult to get to. Therefore, companies such as Nara Kotsu have buses that visit Horyuji Temple, Chuguji Temple, Jikoin Temple, Yakushiji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple, and Suzakumon. This bus tour has English and Chinese audio guides, a route map, and operates daily.

The tour is approximately seven hours long (departs JR Nara Station at 9:55) and costs 7500 yen for adults and 3530 yen for children (prices are subject to change depending on events being held at Yakushiji Temple). For reservations, please visit their official website.

Tourist Spots Near Jikoin Temple

Around Jikoin Temple, there are plenty of other great temples you can visit.

There is the Yata Temple that is also known as the Hydrangea Temple for the beautiful flowers that bloom in the summer. There is the Matsuo Temple that is the oldest temple that wards away evil, and Hokiji Temple is a World Heritage Site that has the oldest three-story pagoda in Japan. Chuguji Temple is a nunnery, while Horyuji Temple is another World Heritage Site that is the world's oldest standing wooden architecture. Why not go around and explore the area?

** Travel times and expenses are based on publicly available information and are current as of July 2017. They may be subject to change.
In cooperation with Jikoin Temple

Ciguang Institute

865 Koizumi-cho, Yamatokoriyama-shi, Nara 639-1042