Last updated on 24 January 12
Do you run this garden?

Saihoji Temple (or Koke-dere, or Moss Garden)

4.5/5 (2 ratings)

Photograph © Gardenvisit.com

Gardenvisit Editorial

The oldest important garden of the Muromachi Period was re-designed by a Zen Buddhist priest, Muso Soseki, who also designed the Tenryu-ji garden in Kyoto. It is a stroll garden, set in a dark forest and designed for meditation. The garden was originally designed to represent the Western Paradise (or Pure Land) of Amida Buddhism. It was re-designed by Soseki when it passed to the Zen Buddhist sect The chief feature of the garden is the 'golden pond' with pavilions scattered on its shore and connected by a path which allows controlled views of the garden. The pond is shaped like the Japanese character for 'heart' or 'spirit'. It is divided by islands and connected by bridges. The mosses which give the garden its alternative name (Koke-dere) were established, as an economy measure, after the Meiji restoration (1868). The moss has become popular and is best seen between May and June.

Address - Saihoji, Nishigyo-ku, Kamigatani-cho, Matsuo, Kyoto, Japan
Opening times - It is necessary to write for permission before visiting the garden.
Website - Visit the Saihoji Temple (or Koke-dere, or Moss Garden) website

Local Hotels

Hotels within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.

Kyoto Arashiyama Onsen Ryokan Togetsutei -Hekisenkaku (2km away)
From 69300.00 JPY to 99999.00 JPY
Guest Inn Kyoto (4km away)
From 3940.00 JPY to 7880.00 JPY
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Sanjo (5km away)
From 11800.00 JPY to 21800.00 JPY
Karasuma Kyoto Hotel (5km away)
From 4980.00 JPY to 14784.00 JPY
Kyoto Horikawa Inn (5km away)
From 7500.00 JPY to 13000.00 JPY
Kyoto Century Hotel (5km away)
From 18000.00 JPY to 26500.00 JPY
Hotel Oaks Kyoto-Shijo (5km away)
From 5400.00 JPY to 9600.00 JPY
Tomato Guest House (5km away)
From 2200.00 JPY to 6400.00 JPY

Nearby Gardens

Gardens within 30km as the crow flies from this garden.

Katsura Imperial Palace Garden (2km away)
Tenryu-ji (Abbot's Garden) (2km away)
Kyoto (4km away)
Osawa-ike - Osawa Pond (4km away)
Ryoan-ji Zen Garden (5km away)
(4.5/5)
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion Temple Garden) (6km away)
Sento Gosho Palace Garden (7km away)

Luxury Garden Hotels

Nearby Recommended Garden Hotels

Hyatt Regency Kyoto

Reviews and Comments

Have you visited this garden?

over 1 year ago Joyce Pearl Jones, MS said
This garden is mentioned in the incredible Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese Garden. An amazing documentary put out by the Smithsonian Institute in 1992. I discovered this garden in this video in 2009 while recovering from surgery and the inner vision of the Moss garden sustain my hope.

Joyce Pearl Jones, EcoGarden Tourism Consultant, based in St Louis

(5.0/5)
over 3 years ago Anonymous said
This is an amazing place I went to see it last year.

(4.0/5)

See all the reviews of Saihoji Temple (or Koke-dere, or Moss Garden)

The reviews and ratings originate in all cases from third parties. Gardenvisit is in no case responsible for the correctness or accuracy of the reviews. Reviews and similar information are not an expression of Gardenvisit’s opinions.