源光庵
Genkō-an
A Rinzai Zen temple known for its “Window of Enlightenment” and “Window of Delusion”—Genkō-an turns architecture into meditation.
Attractions
Temple, Spiritual Site, Zen Temple, Philosophical Architecture, Autumn Foliage
MK Guide Recommends
Tucked into Kyoto’s quiet Takagamine district, Genkō-an offers more than seasonal beauty—it invites inner reflection. Founded in 1346 and affiliated with the Rinzai school of Zen, the temple is best known for two symbolic windows in its main hall: the Marumado (round window) representing enlightenment, and the Kakumado (square window) representing human confusion and suffering. Visitors sit in silent contemplation as light filters through both, revealing maple trees that blaze red in autumn. The tatami room also contains a haunting reminder of Japan’s violent past—bloodstained ceiling panels said to be taken from Fushimi Castle, repurposed here as a memorial. Quiet, compact, and deeply atmospheric, Genkō-an distills Kyoto’s spiritual and artistic depth into a single room.
Facilities & Services
Main hall with symbolic architecture
Garden views and seasonal foliage
Historic “blood ceiling” memorial
Meditation-friendly atmosphere
Best accessed by bus from Kitaoji or Kyoto Station
Kanchi-in Temple
A hidden scholarly sanctuary within Tō-ji’s shadow—Kanchi-in preserves the intellectual heart of Shingon Buddhism and Kyoto’s medieval past.
Tōfuku-ji Temple
A vast Rinzai Zen temple famed for its fiery autumn canopy and wooden bridge views—Tōfuku-ji is Kyoto’s seasonal pilgrimage site.
Kōmyō-in Temple
A tranquil subtemple of Tofuku-ji, Kōmyō-in is a study in stillness—where a single raked stone garden captures the essence of Zen.
Genkō-an
A Rinzai Zen temple known for its “Window of Enlightenment” and “Window of Delusion”—Genkō-an turns architecture into meditation.
Hōrin-ji
A quiet hillside temple above the Katsura River—Hōrin-ji offers sweeping views, esoteric depth, and a contemplative escape from the crowds below.