Ohara - Jorengein Temple

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Thanks to Hikoro we had a unique opporturnity to enjoy Japanese hospitality at Jorengein Temple (http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/orion/eng/hstj/sakyo/jorengein.html) up in the mountain of Ohara, close to Sanzenin Temple. It is a very peaceful and beautiful place offering total relaxation to your body and mind. Jorengein Temple is located about 20 minutes walking up-hill from Ohara busstop. It is surrounded by forest and there is a small river running down the hill. It is a sub temple of Sanzenin Temple. The place has gorgeous garden and there is also a bellhouse in the garden. We took the opporturnity to ring the bell early in the morning. It was fun! The deep sound echoed in the woods and in the garden.

We were the only guests staying over night and enjoyed fully the quiet temple. Our hosts were very nice and friendly. We enjoyed beautiful Japanese dinner in the evening after having a Japanese style bath. The food was delicious!

In the evening we visited in a small temple called Hosen-in near Jorengein. Hosen-in temple is one of the sub-temples of Shorin-in. The highlight of the temple is a view of bamboo garden seen from a tatami room. The view is framed like a painting by the beam and posts of the building. The place is famous for its 600-year-old pine tree that look like Mt. Fuji and blood stained Chi-tenjo ceiling. Admission fee includes tea and cake and we enjoyed them in the tatami room with a view to the bamboo garden. You can read more details about the temple from this site: http://kyoto.asanoxn.com/places/ohara/hosenin/ls_hosenin.htm

We had a good night sleep on futon beds and the next morning we enjoyed delicious Japanese breakfast. We thank the Jorengein temple hosts for this special experience and also my dear Japanese friend Hiroko for arranging the over night stay at the temple for us.

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