As the autumn leaves are coming to an end in Kyoto City, many tourists are busy with the temples, as if they are reluctant to part ways. At Anrakuji Temple in Shishigatani, Sakyo Ward, which is known for the Shishigatani Pumpkin Memorial Service held in August, the "falling autumn leaves" are beginning to reach their peak on the approach to the temple gate.
Anrakuji Temple, located at the foot of Higashiyama Mountain, is usually closed to the public. Every year, it is opened to the public on limited days such as Saturdays and Sundays to coincide with the cherry blossoms in April, the azaleas and rhododendrons in May and June, the Shishigatani Pumpkin Memorial Service in August, and the autumn leaves in November and December. This year, the autumn leaves season ended on December 1st.
Anrakuji Temple is said to have originated as the Shishigatani Hermitage, where the disciples of Honen Shonin, Juren Shonin and Anraku Shonin, were housed. In the early 13th century during the Kamakura period, the temple fell into ruin due to oppression by Emperor Gotoba, but it was later restored by Honen Shonin and remains so to this day.
Although the Philosopher's Path and Honen-in Temple are nearby, few people visit Anraku-ji Temple, which is not open to the public. On both sides of the approach to the temple in front of the mountain gate, there are large maple trees colored red and yellow. The surroundings are shrouded in silence, with only the rustling of leaves in the occasional breeze and the chirping of birds.
