Osaka Meeting Point: Nipponbashi Exit 2 (Namba/Shinsaibashi area) Kyoto Meeting Point: 7-ELEVEN Kyoto Hachijoguchi-higashi (16-16 Higashikujo Nishiiwamotocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8005)

Kyoto Sanzen-in Temple: A Seasonal Poem in a Millennium-Old Temple Hidden in Ohara, in the northern part of Kyoto, lies a thousand-year-old temple: Sanzen-in. As one of the five Monzeki temples of the Tendai sect, it is not only a premier spiritual sanctuary in Rakuhoku but also has deep historical ties to the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Strolling through the temple grounds, towering ancient trees cast dappled shadows, moss spreads like a soft carpet beneath your feet, clear streams whisper, and the elegant Kyakuden and Shinden halls quietly tell tales of past glory. What you cannot miss are the pond-style gardens meticulously designed by Kanamori Sowa—the Yu-seien and Shuheki-en gardens. These are the best spots to enjoy the seasonal beauty of Sanzen-in: cherry blossoms in April, azaleas in May, hydrangeas in July, and a visual feast of crimson maples intertwined with green moss in autumn. The wooden Amida Nyorai and two attendant statues enshrined in the temple are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. These artistic treasures from the Heian period remain solemn and compassionate after a thousand years, leaving visitors lingering in awe.