A Rinzai Zen temple known for its “Window of Enlightenment” and “Window of Delusion”—Genkō-an turns architecture into meditation.
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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
Contact
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