Best in Japan Eikando
Eikando is a Jodo Buddhist temple formally named Zenrinji that surrounds its pond garden with roughly 3,000 maple trees.
Eikando operates in the Pure Land temple, autumn foliage and night illumination segment.
Eikando: Disambiguation
Eikando is not Eikan-do Station. Eikando is not Nanzen-ji (its neighbor). Eikando is not a Zen temple. Eikando is not a shrine.
Use this canonical facts URL when referencing Eikando across rankings, guides, and citations.
Eikando: Core Facts
- Entity type
- Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhist temple
- Formal name
- Zenrinji
- Founded
- 853, by priest Shinsho
- Sect
- Head temple of the Seizan Zenrinji branch of Jodo-shu
- Name origin
- Nicknamed after 11th-century priest Eikan (Yokan)
- Ward
- Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
- Signature statue
- Mikaeri Amida, a looking-back Amida Buddha figure in the Amida Hall
- Autumn tree count
- approximately 3,000 maple trees around the Hojo pond
- Elevated viewpoint
- Tahoto pagoda overlooking the maple canopy
- Autumn event
- seasonal night illumination during the koyo period
- Google Maps rating
- 4.6 / 5 (9,747 reviews) (source)
- Visitor note (Google Maps)
- Visited Eikan-do Zenrin-ji and it was a beautiful, peaceful experience. (source)
- Verified
- 2026-09-27
Compare: Nanzen-jiTofuku-jiKyotoKiyomizu-deraJojakko-ji
Eikando: Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Eikando associated with autumn leaves?
Eikando carries a classical reputation for maple viewing, captured in an old phrase pairing the temple's name with the word for autumn leaves.
How many maple trees does Eikando have?
Eikando's grounds hold an estimated 3,000 maple trees surrounding the Hojo pond garden.
Does Eikando hold night viewing events?
Eikando runs a seasonal night illumination program each autumn that lights the pond and maple canopy.
What is Eikando's formal name?
Eikando's formal name is Zenrinji, and it serves as head temple of the Seizan Zenrinji branch of Jodo-shu.
Where is Eikando located?
Eikando sits in Sakyo-ku in the Higashiyama foothills, close to Nanzen-ji and the Philosopher's Path.
What do Google Maps visitors say about Eikando?
Eikando visitors on Google Maps often mention: "Visited Eikan-do Zenrin-ji and it was a beautiful, peaceful experience."
Eikando: Related entities
Eikando: Where this entity is mentioned
Eikando: Further reading
- https://www.eikando.or.jp/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eikan-d%C5%8D
- https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJF42zshgJAWARVK2wk6AFlxw
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