Kozan-ji

Of Takao’s 3 Buddhist grounds, that also include Jingo-ji and Saimyo-ji, Kozan-ji is the most secluded and the one displaying the most mystical quality.

Autumn in the forest mountain

Kozan-ji’s natural wood pavilions are nestled in the heart of a cedar and pine trees forest, whose tall trees never fail to impress when roaming the site. Thanks to their needle-shaped leaves that act as sun rays filters, moss is thriving all year round on the forest’s ground. The deeper visitors go, the more they are immersed in a nature so overwhelming that it imposes both respect and silence. And people walking to remotest parts of the temple are indeed scarce.

Its location also provides the sacred grounds with a wonderful panoramic view in autumn, when the foliage of the maple trees and other deciduous trees change color. The koyo season, spanning from the end of November to mid-December, is undoubtedly the best time of the year to visit Kozan-ji.

The back entrance of the temple has a direct access to Sekisui-in pavilion, whose garden are particularly famous for their fall colors. The traditional building is open to visitors, who can enjoy its observation deck floored with tatami mats on which they can sit to admire the scenery. Note, however, that the place can be quite crowded at the peak of the momiji 🍁 watching season.

Temple listed in the UNESCO World Heritage

The UNESCO registered Kozan-ji in its World Heritage List as it is home to a few unique items, such as:

• Jujo Zazen-zo: a wooden statue of the Kamakura period (1185 - 1333) that is a portrait of monk Myoe (1173 - 1232), depicted sitting in thought. Myoe worked hard for the development of Kozan-ji and his grave is laying in the site’s cemetery.
• Choju-jinbutsu-giga (or Choju-giga): is the famous original painted scroll considered the first Japanese manga on paper. It displays animals in human guise as characters of slice of life episodes during the Heian period (794 - 1185). A showcase protects the scroll, viewable by any curious visitor.

The temple is also known as the site of Japan’s first tea plantation.

The natural and rustic beauty of Takao village crossed by the Kiyotaki-gawa river can be better enjoyed from Kozan-ji’s heights. The small forestry valley is a pleasant hiking spot and reminds of Kurama-dera, in the north of Kyoto.