※This article was published at June 2015.※

“Sometimes you just need to get out of Tokyo.
” As the number of city dwellers increase and over-population in urban areas become a world-wide problem, we sometimes want to escape and seek peace of mind in a place far away. 
In Japanese, that may be called “in search of wa”. 
“Wa” describes a state of mind, at which the mind and soul are at harmony. 
What better a place is there to seek “wa” other than in the thousand-year capital.



Lying in the northern outskirts of Kyoto city, Koto-in is a modest temple of extraordinary beauty.
The path leading into the temple bends at a 90-degree angle four times, slowing down rushing tourists and inviting them into a serene and slow pace of life that we too often forget.
After walking the path through the bamboo trees, we reach the temple compounds, where we pay.
Paying for entry can be a set back from the serenity that we walked through.
However, we must understand the immense costs involved in preserving these historic buildings and gardens, which often rely on materials and professional skill that are rare in this age.



The highlights within the temple grounds are twofold: the building and garden. 
The building still serves, as it did 400 years ago, as the site of large tea ceremonies. 
Reflecting this, you will find many paintings hung up on the walls.



The garden is enjoyed in two ways.
The passive approach is to observe the garden from the veranda set up on the edge of one building.
Here you can observe the trees and flowers in tranquillity, and if lucky, also be greeted by the odd sparrow. In the autumn, you can enjoy the transition of colours from green to yellow, yellow to red, and red to brown.
Meanwhile, the active garden-lover can choose to walk around the gardens.
The intricate design involving trees, rivers, rocks and flowers never cease to interest.



More information:
Address: Daitokuji 73-1, Murasakino, Kita-ku, Kyoto
Access: Five minute walk from Daitokuji-mae bus stop (bus nos. 1, 12, 101, 102, M1, N8, 204, 205, 206)
Admission: 400 yen for adults
Hours: 9:00am – 4:30pm (gates close at 4:20pm)
Closed: May 6, June 7-8

Map:

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