The Poet and the Ox

“An old pond
A frog jumps in
Water sound!”

-Basho, 17 c. haiku master

The Poet's Hut Temple, The Hermitage of an ex-Samurai, The Garden of the Ox and The Garden of the Dragon, A Temple of Refined Elegance, and A Secret Mountain Tea House. All within walking distance of one another.

We travel to an old, quiet and surprisingly ordinary neighborhood in the northeastern part of Kyoto, tucked into the Higashiyama mountain range. This is not like the busy tourist areas that are scattered around town.

The road we follow winds its way through this residential neighborhood and we soon encounter traces of the farm life that existed in this area for hundreds of years. As we approach the cedar forest we can feel that this is like nowhere we have seen in Kyoto up until this point. It is in these surroundings you will have one of your most memorable experiences in Japan.

Sites visited

KONPUKU-JI Spend time in a major landmark connected to the Japanese art of haiku poetry. This simple garden is a true example of the ‘wabi sabi’aesthetic. Maybe you will even write a few haiku's yourself!

SHISEN-DO The hermitage of an ex-samurai, this site is an excellent example of Japanese architecture blurring the line between the "outside" and "inside". You will spend time in the tranquil garden, as well as touring the home which features features a collection of 36 portraits of ancient Chinese poets.

RAKUHOKU NEIGHBORHOOD The entire afternoon will be spent in this former and present farming and artisan enclave. As we travel from site to site we will be able to have a peek into the lives of families who have been living this simple way of life for generations.

ENKO-JI This temple has two fascinating gardens. Very interestingly, as they are both of a very different nature- they both represent the same deep underlying concept- "enlightenment".

NOBOTOKE-AN In this former tea ceremony retreat, we will witness an eclectic collection of tea houses and garden spaces. Before leaving we will enjoy a bowl of matcha. (This truly unique and hidden site is only open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.)

LENGTH: 3.5 hours
MEETING POINT: Ichijoji Sagarimatsucho Bus Stop
RESERVE