Rengeji Temple

Renge-ji is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, known for its beautifully landscaped garden. Although its exact founding details are unclear, the temple was revived in 1662 when Imaeda Chikayoshi, a retainer of the Kaga Maeda clan, relocated and restored it after it had fallen into ruin following the Ōnin War. The garden—said to have been designed by Ishikawa Jōzan, who is also known for creating Shisendō—is a strolling pond garden that feels remarkably tranquil despite being just a short distance off the main road. A small island sits in the center of the pond, and surrounding maple trees reflect on the water’s surface. While it is a strolling-style garden, viewing it from the back of the shoin (study hall) provides an especially satisfying panoramic perspective. The maples transform the atmosphere dramatically between the fresh greens of spring and the vivid reds of autumn, making it a place worth visiting in different seasons. The temple gate from the time of restoration still remains, and to the left after entering the gate, around 300 stone Buddhist statues are lined up. Renge-ji lies on the route from Kyoto toward Ohara, Yase, and Mount Hiei, and is about a 10-minute walk from Miyake-Hachiman Station on the Eizan Railway.