Kokedera Temple

Kokedera Temple（苔寺）, a World Heritage site, was founded by Prince Shotoku about 1,300 years ago.The official name of the temple is Saiboji, but it is generally called Koke-dera (moss temple) because of the blanket of moss covering the garden.

The garden, designed by Muso Kokushi, is a two-tiered structure with a karesansui (dry landscape garden) style at the top and a pond garden style at the bottom. The 35,000-square-meter garden consists of four islands and eight bridges around the golden pond. 120 varieties of green mosses in 35,000 square meters are breathtaking. It is said to be most beautiful during the rainy season, when the moss becomes darker and greener.

To visit Koke-dera Temple, apply by return postcard (indicating the number of people, address, name, and desired date) or online.To visit the temple, visitors must first copy the Hannya Shingyo Sutra in the main hall, and those who have completed the sutra may walk around the garden.

Access from Kyoto Station to Kokedera Temple takes about 51 minutes by bus.