You can enjoy tea at the Koubuntei inside the Shorenin temple. This time, I had sencha instead of matcha. There is a specific way to prepare sencha called senchadou. I was surprised to find out that gyokuro is brewed at a low temperature. The cost was 1000 yen per person for two people. This was on the fourth day of our Kyoto trip for an elderly couple. Unfortunately, the temple's leaves had not turned red yet. Koubuntei was used as a study hall after the Shorenin temple was used as a temporary palace following a fire in 1788. It was completely restored in Heisei 7 as a traditional tea house-style building.

The vivid blue lotus fusuma painting was created by artist Hideki Kimura. It's wonderful! Beautiful! You can enjoy matcha here.

The gatekeeper of Shorenin Monzeki. It is a prestigious and special place among the Kyoto Go-Kamuro Monzeki of the Tendai sect of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei, with deep ties to the imperial family. I decided to visit early in the morning after recalling reviews from Milevi's Maron Mama and Alvos-sama recommending the matcha here. The magnificent appearance of the ancient camphor tree, a natural monument of Kyoto, in front of the gate of Shorenin Monzeki, with its branches that seem to symbolize the high status of the gatekeeper, captivates the eyes. In a corner of the famous pond garden of Shorenin Monzeki, there is a quaint tea room where you can occasionally enjoy tea, but when I visited, I had tea on the vermillion-colored carpet in the Hanachodono, overlooking the garden designed by Soami. Around me were hanging scrolls of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets, adding to the artistic highlights along with the garden. The sweets served with the tea can be purchased at the gatekeeper's shop, but the ones here are unique with the Heian-den's signature. They have a slightly Western flavor, making them enjoyable even for overseas guests without feeling out of place. When having tea, you need to inform and pay at the entrance, and then they will bring the tea at your own pace, following a style of service.

This is one of the Kyoto Go-Kasho Monzeki of the Tendai sect Hieizan Enryakuji, a temple closely associated with the imperial family and highly prestigious. The large camphor tree in front of the Aorenin Monzeki is a natural monument of Kyoto City, and its size is surprising. Aorenin Monzeki is a place I love, and I first visited when I was around 20 years old. Since then, I have visited many times, but I never thought I would be able to upload it to Tabelog. On this day as autumn approached, I found out from the website that a tea ceremony was being held at the tea room "Kobuntei" and decided to go there!! It's been a long time since I had tea in a authentic tea room ☆☆☆ The sweets were a Heian-style manju with a chrysanthemum crest. It is a plump and elegant sweet manju with a refined sweetness (*^^*) The matcha is prepared right in front of you, which is nice♪ The arrangement for the day, including hanging scrolls, flowers, tea bowls, etc., was explained carefully, and I enjoyed the tea. It was lucky that the host for the day was from the Urasenke school, so I was able to understand things to some extent. Please note that there are days off on weekdays during the following period. If you want to have matcha here, please call to confirm before going!! From the website: "At Kobuntei, we have special viewing periods in spring and autumn every year, during which the tea room is open to the public. During this period, you can enjoy the formal tea ceremony performed by the teachers of the Tsukama no Chakai 'Aorenkai' and the members of the society. Even if it's your first time at a tea ceremony, please feel free to come. Special viewing period Spring: Spring equinox day to May 5th on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays Autumn: November 1st to November 30th Special viewing hours 10:00-15:30 Special viewing fee 1,000 yen (including matcha or sencha and sweets for the tea ceremony) * In addition to the special viewing fee, the conventional viewing fee is required. Contact 075-561-2345"

Next to Chion-in Temple in Kyoto is Seiryo-ji Temple. The reason I became interested in this temple is because its name is similar to the enemy temple Qinglian Temple in the novel "Water Margin." Also known as Akuta Gosho, this temple has a deep connection to the imperial family and is steeped in history. The garden is elegant and charming. I enjoyed matcha while admiring the lovely garden. I am not a gardener, so I don't know much about garden composition, but I had a delightful time savoring the matcha and main sweet (manju). The manju is an original version of the Heian Manju from Heian-den. It has a moist and fluffy texture with a sweet egg yolk filling. It tasted similar to hiyoko sweets and paired well with the matcha. Honestly, I thought the matcha was even better than the famous brand from Kyoto that also has stores in Tokyo. It turns out it is from the Hokuriku region, and it was delicious with a rich umami flavor and a refreshing bitterness in the aftertaste. The grand hall, Kahoden, overlooking the garden, has impressive lotus-themed sliding door paintings by artist Hideki Kimura. The three-part composition is striking and impactful. There are souvenirs available for purchase at the gift shop. I have always had a soft spot for camphor trees, and the giant camphor trees on the temple grounds with their lush foliage and impressive trunks brought a sense of peace to my heart just by looking at them. The national treasure Aofudo (the highest rank of Fudo Myo-o) is enshrined at Seiryu-den, a 30-minute walk from here, but it seemed inconvenient without a car, so I had to give up on visiting. Everyone has their own preferences and feelings, but this temple was the best and most captivating for me during my trip to Kyoto this time.

Until March 2016, the scenery of the Aoren-in Monzeki spreading along Jingu-michi in Higashiyama, Kyoto. It is a famous place often crowded with tourists, with an elegant atmosphere unique to the Monzeki deeply connected to the imperial family. The garden features a pond and a winding path, creating a serene landscape. The 800-year-old giant camphor tree along Jingu-michi is a symbol of Aoren-in, with its magnificent branches. Inside the temple grounds, you can see another giant camphor tree of the same age, captivating with its towering presence. Inside the palace, known as Atada Gosho, there are hanging scroll paintings of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets, modern art fusuma paintings dedicated by Hideki Kimura, and a palanquin used by Emperor Komei, as well as peacock and phoenix motifs on the sliding doors. Enjoy matcha and Aoren-manju (500 yen, plus admission fee) in the Hachijo-den, where a carpet is laid out. The matcha is said to be from Marukyu-Koyamaen, and the Aoren-manju features the seal of Heian-dono from the confectionery shop Heian-dono. The sweetness of the cream and condensed milk-filled yolk bean paste complements the matcha. After a break, follow the circular route through the "Sowa no Niwa" attributed to Soami of the Muromachi period, the "Kirishima no Niwa" by Kobori Enshu, and the "Omori Yuiga no Niwa" before heading outside the temple. The flow from tea to strolling takes quite a bit of time, and it can be crowded at times, but it is a calming place that you may want to visit occasionally. The atmosphere reminiscent of the imperial court may be especially unique among the Kyoto Go-Kamon Monzeki. The illumination starting on March 26 will be held simultaneously at Aoren-in and the grand stage. The news of the Aoryu-den grand stage, which was established on the mountaintop of Higashiyama last autumn, is still fresh in memory, and you can enjoy a panoramic view of Kyoto's night view. Access to the grand stage is possible by a limited circular bus route or by car (parking available). If you visit during the day, you can also access it with a 30-minute hike.

This is my favorite temple. You purchase a matcha ticket for 500 yen at the reception and when you go to tell them, they bring it to you on the red carpet in the study hall. The matcha is smooth and carefully prepared, without any lumps at the bottom. The snack is like a crumbly buckwheat bun with yellow bean paste inside. It's not too sweet and easy to eat. I went alone the first time and with two people the second time. When I went with two people, a foreigner from Austria who was traveling alone showed interest in trying matcha, so we bought a ticket together and enjoyed matcha together. He said it was delicious as it was his first time trying it. I was happy to spend some time with a foreigner who loves Japan. The garden has the sound of flowing water and is quiet and cool even in the summer with a gentle breeze. It's truly a healing place. I want to come back here as many times as I can. In addition to the matcha ticket, there is an admission fee of 500 yen. It's not too crowded except during the autumn leaves or flower lantern seasons, so you can relax. Highly recommended.

The historical temple known as one of the five main temples of the Tendai sect, Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, offers a unique experience where visitors can make their own tea at the reception. After taking a leisurely tour of the garden and buildings, I enjoyed matcha tea and a traditional Kyoto sweet called Heian Manju. The sweet had a simple and rustic texture, complemented by the bitterness of the matcha. Although I visited in August without cherry blossoms or autumn leaves, the serene green scenery and refreshing breeze provided a unique sense of tranquility and served as a source of daily energy.

This time, I had a tea ceremony at Shoren-in Monzeki in Kyoto. During special viewing times in spring and autumn, you can enjoy a cup of matcha and a sweet for ¥500. It had been three years since my last visit, and I was able to experience a beautiful time in the elegantly lit garden with LED lights of various colors. I enjoyed my tea in the tea room "Koubundou" while admiring the illuminated garden in the dimly lit room at night. The sweet was a Heian Manju from the long-established confectionery shop "Heianden" located in front of the Otorii gate of Heian Shrine. The slightly rich matcha paired perfectly with the white bean paste-filled manju. It was a wonderful experience.

I was browsing through Tabelog without any particular reason and came across a review for this Shoren-in Temple. I never thought that a famous temple in Kyoto would be on Tabelog, but I guess it's not that strange considering that anyone can visit. Shoren-in Temple is one of my favorite places in Kyoto. It was once known as one of the three gatehouses of the Tendai sect headquarters on Mount Hiei, and now it is one of the five gatehouses of the Tendai sect in Kyoto. It is a temple where members of the imperial family and aristocratic families would enter, and in the Edo period, it even served as a temporary imperial palace, hence the name "Atada Gosho". I first learned about this place a long time ago (in 1995) from a JR Tokai commercial. I was captivated by that commercial. The excellent copy and narration by Kyozo Nagatsuka saying "It's midsummer, but the only one saying that is the thermometer" while walking barefoot down the hallway, ending with a shot overlooking Sotanomiya's tatami room and Soami's garden. I wanted to visit. Heading south from the intersection of Sanjo Shrine Road on Sanjo Street. As you climb the gentle slope, you will see a large camphor tree on your left. This dense camphor tree is the first attraction, with five giant trees designated as natural monuments. Pass through the gate with lanterns hanging and proceed right, then left to the reception window. The admission fee is 500 yen. Matcha is an additional 500 yen. You can order tea when paying the admission fee and receive a ticket. As you proceed further, you will reach the guest hall, Kachoden. It is the best tatami room to enjoy Soami's garden. As you wait on the red carpet, matcha and sweets will be served. The hot matcha enjoyed while listening to the sound of cicadas in the heat is exceptionally delicious. However, unfortunately, during this visit (8/10/2013), the pond in Soami's garden was under construction. Instead of the sound of cicadas, we had to enjoy our tea while listening to the noise of the excavator. Sometimes, things like that happen. But somehow, it's forgivable.

The admission fee is 500 yen for adults and 500 yen for matcha tea. There are many paintings of the Kacho-den at Shoren-in Temple. Enjoy matcha tea while looking at the sliding door paintings and garden, and feel calm. You can experience the charm of the ancient capital. Matcha tea and buckwheat steamed buns are served here. The buckwheat steamed buns have a simple taste. There are five national treasures of camphor trees. Special admission period from March 21st to May 5th on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays with special admission hours from 10:00 to 15:30. Special admission fee is 1,000 yen (includes matcha or sencha tea, and sweets for tea ceremony). In addition to the special admission fee, the regular admission fee is also required. NO.124

This summer, there was no usual family trip...ヽ(￣￣￣￣￣￣∇￣￣￣￣￣￣;)ノ. Feeling the urge to go out and play, we decided to stay in Kyoto for 2 nights and enjoy food hopping (*゜v゜*) I really wanted to visit "Shoren-in" which I had been to in my younger days...(^.^)/~~~ To revive memories from decades ago... ((((=・o・)ノ Go go♪ We arrived early in the morning, so there was plenty of parking available (^。^)y-.。o○ I'm sure during the upcoming autumn foliage season, it will be crowded with tourists. The admission fee is 500 yen for adults and 500 yen for matcha tea. Shoren-in, which gained attention last year for the public viewing of the national treasure "Aofudo," is famous for the bold colors of the "lotus" painting in the Kaizandono hall. While enjoying matcha tea and admiring the modern fusuma paintings and garden, a sense of tranquility washes over you. It feels like all the daily worries just melt away (#^.^#) The natural monument camphor tree is a must-see! The "pond and garden style stroll garden" with beautiful scenery throughout the seasons remains unchanged, allowing me to reminisce and feel like I've traveled back in time v(*'-^*)ｂ bui♪■ Admission fee 500 yen■ Matcha tea (with Japanese sweets) 500 yen

I went to see the light-up event at Shoren-in Temple, which was held from October 25, 2013, to December 8, 2013. When I arrived a bit before 6:00 pm, there was already a long line waiting. Despite feeling like I was late, I decided to wait in line since I had come all the way there. The designated natural monument tree, a camphor tree, at the temple is truly impressive in size! It looks even more powerful during the day than at night. I waited in line for about 15 minutes before finally entering. The admission fee for the night light-up event was 800 yen, while the regular daytime admission fee is 500 yen. To view the garden from the Hattou Hall during the light-up event, you need to order matcha green tea (with Japanese sweets). I decided to order the matcha green tea, which costs 500 yen. There are two rows of cushions prepared in front of the garden, and when the front row becomes available, the people in the back row can move forward. The view from the Hattou Hall during the day is incredibly peaceful and unique. It can get quite cold at night, so I recommend dressing warmly. The matcha green tea was mild and smooth, and the Japanese sweets were deliciously sweet. They complemented the matcha green tea perfectly! Although I had never visited during the autumn foliage season, it was incredibly beautiful. The temple was crowded with people, unlike anything I had seen before. Shoren-in Temple is known for its beautiful weeping cherry blossoms in the spring!