Shisen-do (Jozan-ji Temple)

Information

Shisen-do (House of Poet-Hermits) was built in 1641 by Ishikawa Jozan. He was a former retainer for Tokugawa Ieyasu, and eventually became a scholar of Chinese classics in the Edo Period (1603 - 1868). He built this hermitage as a place for retirement at the end of his life. Shisen-do was originally called "Ototsuka", which means "a residence built on unlevel land".
A room in the building displays portraits of thirty-six Chinese poets painted by Kano Tanyu. Jozan was also known as a landscape architect, and the Japanese garden with white sand was designed by himself. Visitors can relax by viewing the beautiful garden while hearing the rhythmic "thwack" of a bamboo Sozu, a kind of Shishi-odoshi (wild animal scarer).
Today, Shisen-do is also used as a Zen temple of the Soto sect named Jozan-ji Temple.

Opening Hours

9:00 - 17:00

Closed

May 23

Price / Entrance Fee

500 yen (General, Adult)
400 yen (High School Student)
200 yen (Child)

Access / Public Transport

45 minutes from JR Kyoto Station by the #5 bus. Get off at Ichijoji-Sagarimatsucho Bus stop.

Address / Location

27, Ichijoji Monguchicho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 606-8154

Tweets

*beautiful Japan* @JpnBeautiful - 2020-07-08: 'Shisendo' is a Buddhist temple of the Soto Zen sect in Kyoto. It stands on the grounds of its founder, the Edo per… https://t.co/MO4kknj4BX
old zen barrier @old_zen_barrier - 2020-05-12: Below the cliff, riding in a boat,
I think of climbing up.
The mountain temple is silent.
It seems to have no monks… https://t.co/4zVW8agH6n
Kyoto Holiday Homes @HomesKyoto - 2020-02-11: Shisen-dō Jōzan-ji Temple｜詩仙堂丈山 is only a 15 minute walk from Guesthouse Chayama. Sit in the tatami mat rooms facin… https://t.co/yBjS2GClFX
Kyoto Holiday Homes @HomesKyoto - 2020-02-11: Shisen-dō Jōzan-ji Temple｜詩仙堂丈山 is only a 15 minute walk from Guesthouse Chayama. Sit in the tatami mat rooms facin… https://t.co/yBjS2GClFX
YK20 @2ponderful - 2019-10-31: Shisen-do Temple/ Kyoto
Shisen-do Temple, located in northern Higashiyama of Kyoto, a less-traveled part of the cit… https://t.co/bo2CesqcJ3
Adventures in Kyoto @KyotoDailyPhoto - 2019-05-14: Though information is sparse, it seems that Hiraiwa Senzan (平岩仙桂) created a small temple. Over time this would beco… https://t.co/Xvp01MXwOP
Tokyonobo @Tokyonobo - 2019-05-12: This time's trip was like a trip walking through fresh green. The first day's route; Kinpukuji Tempele #金福寺 →Shisen… https://t.co/A4Yt1PzEU3
Mika Daniel Turrell @TurrellMika - 2019-05-08: Fall in Shisen-Do Temple, Kyoto, Japan https://t.co/MAdkn2Pw1r
I Will Visit Japan @iwillvisitjapan - 2019-04-21: A peaceful moment at Shisen-dō (詩仙堂) Temple in Kyoto

Photo: lotus.m.lotus / IG https://t.co/LvjfWNf8F8
サンエス / three trees design @3s - 2019-04-19: “Do not enter”
If you see this sign at the shrine or temple, you cannot get in😉

Shisendo, Jozenji Temple.
Kyoto, J… https://t.co/s5DbBZ5WXt
Photographer @russelwongphoto - 2019-04-18: Shisen-do Temple ( 1641 ) is one of my favourite places to visit and shoot. This is a Bushiest Temple of the Zoto… https://t.co/UglQpv2UMt
Silentsword, a cosplay lawyer @Cinderforgsword - 2019-04-11: @Yokai_Parade There is a temple in the east of Kyoto (in a dead end behind Shisen-do) called Tanukidani. They greet… https://t.co/6H0fs8LNiE
S. J. Pajonas @spajonas - 2019-01-06: Shisen-do Temple garden with autumn colors: copyright Damien Douxchamps https://t.co/Wv0DTl7AIg
S. J. Pajonas @spajonas - 2019-01-04: Shisen-do Temple garden with autumn colors: copyright Damien Douxchamps https://t.co/wBeSD5DGAs
S. J. Pajonas @spajonas - 2019-01-01: Shisen-do Temple garden with autumn colors: copyright Damien Douxchamps https://t.co/1kpNR2IuHa
Manu Z @manusmenucom - 2018-11-24: Shisen-do temple.

#kyoto #japan #travelgram #travelblogger #manusmenucom #momiji #manusmenuinjapan #instatravel… https://t.co/RFAOXK6TzA
Delphine Dora @delphine_dora - 2018-10-24: Amy Cutler and Delphine Dora live at Café Oto (17th Oct 2018), performing a miniature piano piece inspired by templ… https://t.co/YjTjEIfP4x
Inside Kyoto @InsideKyoto - 2018-10-15: Photo of the Week: Shisen-do Temple garden with autumn colors
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https://t.co/6aPVN608pG
#kyoto #japan #photography #fallfoliage
Olivier Stoiche @japankudasai - 2018-10-12: 📍 Shisen-do temple, Kyoto

#japan #japon #travel #Kyoto #kyototemple #higashiyama #zengarden #zen #autumn🍁… https://t.co/u4gS8Sf37k
Astronaut / Lurker @Shiroki_Alex - 2018-01-31: The entrance to Shisen-do temple, Kyoto https://t.co/TtnZMRG134 #lovejapan https://t.co/kyDtfgQwgM
Phaidon @Phaidon - 2018-01-08: Officially named Hōtotsu-ka, meaning ‘residence built on uneven land’, the name of Shisen-dō Temple is derived from… https://t.co/uPfEgNrSxI
Vajrakaya @vajrakayat - 2017-12-20: JOZAN Temple ♨ 学空 Thanks for follow https://t.co/Rc3pWDXwQX Do check this out https://t.co/v81npnMKiu
RoMaN S @GazociaG - 2017-06-15: Looks wonderful! So calm and peaceful #japan
'@AestheticsJapan: Shisen-do Temple | by zen_temples on Instagram https://t.co/UU4cvNn9wj'
日本 @AestheticsJapan - 2017-06-15: Shisen-do Temple | by zen_temples on Instagram https://t.co/RWtqEfnP4c
Kyoto Lovers @KY0T0L0VERS - 2017-05-11: Shisen-do temple✴

2017 5 10

She is a traveler from Taiwan.👩 I often meet traveler from overseas at quiet templ…… https://t.co/EtPnwsoW4p
Kyoto Lovers @KY0T0L0VERS - 2017-05-11: Shisen-do temple✴

2017 5 10

She is a traveler from Taiwan.👩 I often meet traveler from overseas at quiet templ…… https://t.co/dPlAURMduW
Kyoto Lovers @KY0T0L0VERS - 2017-05-10: Shisen-do temple✴

2017 5 10

When it rains it makes me want to go to Shisen-do temple and Enkoji temple.☔ Pruning…… https://t.co/BghXYQJsQW
Kyoto Daily Photo @KyotoDailyPhoto - 2017-02-03: ...name of Hiraiwa Senzan (平岩仙山) eventually took over the retreat. It became a temple called Jozan-ji (丈山寺-now affiliated with Soto Zen).
JoJoTheModern @JoJoTheModern - 2016-11-19: Autumn at Shisen-do Temple, Kyoto (pic: Patrick Vierthaler https://t.co/alPOLWKb2C ) https://t.co/LF6J6Nw4lP
David Stolarz @DavidStolarz - 2016-10-28: Yogacara - Buddhist Philosophy of the Nature of Experience: Shisen-do Temple, Northern Higashiyama, https://t.co/wQCjPeiYqh