
This is a continuation and sequel to “Visit Report: Early Spring Tour of Yamashina, Kyoto – Part One” In the previous installment, we mainly introduced shrines and temples around Ono Station. However, in this part, we will introduce tourist attractions such as the spring special opening of Zuishin-in and shrines and temples in the Yamashina Station area, which is the central part of Yamashina.
Zuishin-in Spring Special Opening

Zuishin-in is a famous temple with connections to Ono no Komachi. Tokyo Papercraft has assisted in creating seasonal limited edition papercut Goshuin stamps several times in the past. We have introduced temples and Goshuin stamps in previous articles, so please be sure to check them out as well.
During the spring special opening at Zuishin-in, visitors had the opportunity to view two important cultural properties, secret Buddha statues, in the main hall from February 17th (Saturday) to March 12th (Tuesday). Zuishin-in also has another secret Buddha statue created by Kaikei, but it was under repair and not available for viewing at the time.
These secret Buddha statues, which were originally believed to have been entirely covered in gold leaf, date back to the Heian and Kamakura periods. Though they have likely weathered over the course of approximately a thousand years, they exude a profound atmosphere that reflects the weight of history, evoking a presence that has endured through the ages. It’s imaginable that when they were first created, they gleamed brilliantly in gold, presenting a magnificent sight.
Zuishin-in’s 800th Anniversary Commemorative Project
As part of the “800th Anniversary Commemorative Project,” the three secret Buddha statues have been restored one by one since 2021. From April 27th (Saturday), a special exhibition of privately-owned cultural properties will be held, featuring the unveiling of all three restored Buddha statues together for the first time in the renovated main hall.
In addition, limited edition Goshuin stamps will be distributed as a commemoration of the restoration of the secret Buddha statues. These are beautifully crafted Goshuin stamps made using special techniques, so we hope you will take the opportunity to acquire them. Each secret Buddha statue will have its own limited edition Goshuin stamp released with every restoration, and this year, the commemorative Goshuin stamp for the final restoration of the series is expected to be distributed starting around April.

Tokurin-an
From here, we’ll introduce the Yamashina Station area, which has long prospered as the eastern gateway to Kyoto, right in the heart of Yamashina Ward. Yamashina Station serves as a railway interchange point where three lines intersect: JR, the Tozai subway line, and the Keihan Railway. It’s approximately a 10-minute train ride from Ono Station.
Tokurin-an is located about a 15-minute walk east along the Keihan Railway tracks from Yamashina Station. It’s a hexagonal temple built facing the Tokaido, one of the major highways during the Edo period. This hexagonal hall is said to symbolize the six desires arising from the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. By abandoning these desires, one can become rounded and achieve harmony.
Thinking of the hexagonal temple reminded me of the Dream Hall at Horyu-ji Temple. Do you know how many sides the Dream Hall has?
In fact, it’s actually octagonal. There are several theories as to why, but it seems that the octagonal shape represents the “eight directions” in feng shui, believed to attract happiness and ward off evil from all directions.
In the past, directions held deeper significance than they do today, so paying attention to the positional relationships between temples, nearby towns, and historical structures might lead to new discoveries.

Moroha Shrine
About a 15-minute walk north from Tokurin-an towards the mountains, you’ll come across a splendid torii gate and main hall. Within the precincts, there is a rock called “Biwa-iwa,” where it is said that the son of an emperor, who became blind and was driven out of the imperial palace, sat playing the biwa (a Japanese lute). This figure taught the biwa and poetry to blind people who had entered priesthood, and is regarded as the ancestor deity of biwa musicians. It is said that many biwa musicians gathered during the Edo period to play the biwa.
Bishamon-dō

About a 15-minute walk north from Moroha Shrine along the Bishamon Path leads to the well-known Tendai Buddhist temple, Izumo-ji, known by the name of Bishamon-dō. Located at the northern end of the Yamashina Basin, this temple enshrines Bishamonten, one of the Seven Lucky Gods. It is famous for its spectacular 150-year-old Bishamon weeping cherry tree in spring and vibrant autumn foliage. Beautiful photographs of it are often featured in Kyoto tourism brochures.

The main deity, Bishamonten, is believed to bestow blessings of victory in competitions, as well as prosperity in business, financial fortune, and overall good fortune, thanks to his formidable appearance. The temple’s sliding door paintings include famous works such as “Carp on the Folding Screen of the Sliding Doors” and “Cloud Dragon.” These are painted using a special technique of perspective that changes depending on the viewer’s angle and gaze, making them fascinating to observe.
Yamashina Aqueduct
About 400 meters south of Bishamon-dō, you’ll come across the Yamashina Aqueduct. The Yamashina Aqueduct is part of the Biwako Sosui, an artificial canal system stretching approximately 20 kilometers from the Kannonji Temple in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, where abundant water is drawn from Lake Biwa, to Horizume-cho in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City.
During the Meiji Restoration, Kyoto experienced a significant decline in population, losing about one-third of its inhabitants due to its de facto demotion as the capital in favor of Tokyo. It was said that Kyoto would eventually become the habitat of foxes and tanuki (raccoon dogs). However, the construction of the “Hopeful Waterway,” the Biwako Sosui, connecting Kyoto and Otsu, became a model for regional revitalization, instilling hopes of urban regeneration in the city.
At a cost double the annual budget of Kyoto at the time, this aqueduct, which served various purposes such as water transportation, hydroelectric power generation, industrial water, and irrigation, was completed after a massive construction project involving a total workforce of 4 million people.
Currently, you can enjoy sightseeing by tourist boat for about 2 hours from Biwako Otsu Port to Keage near Nanzenji Temple. There are many cherry blossom trees along both banks of the aqueduct, so although it’s a short period, especially at this time of year, you can enjoy beautiful scenery.

Finally
How did you find the two visits?
During this visit, we explored not only the area around Ono Station, which is close to Zuishin-in, but also ventured as far as the northern Yamashina Station vicinity. Both areas were relatively less crowded than the central parts of Kyoto and offered flat walking routes, making them ideal for a leisurely stroll.
Also, if you head south from Zuishin-in, you’ll find Daigo-ji Temple, which is also registered as a World Cultural Heritage site. It might be enjoyable to extend your visit there as well. Daigo-ji Temple is famous for its cherry blossoms during spring, especially during the “Toyotomi Hanami” event. It’s definitely a place worth visiting someday.