Why the Kyoto Moss Temple Should Be on Your Itinerary

If you’re visiting Kyoto, you absolutely need to add Saihoji Temple—The Garden of Origins and Journeys (also called Kyoto Moss Temple) to your itinerary. Tucked away from the city’s busier sights, this lush sanctuary offers a rare combination of natural beauty and cultural tradition. From its moss-carpeted gardens to the peaceful pond and quiet walking trail, every corner invites you to slow down. Out of all the temples we visited in Japan, this was one of our favorites, and for good reason, it’s worth every minute of the trip.

Finding Your Way Through Kyoto Station

We began our journey at Kyoto Station; however, before we could set off, we needed to pop into the information center to figure out where our bus was located. If you’ve never navigated a major station in Japan—Kyoto, Tokyo, Osaka, Shibuya, Shinjuku—prepare yourself, because they are massive. For example, one of the stations we used daily in Osaka stretched the equivalent of nine city blocks. Kyoto’s station is no less of a maze, with multiple levels, connecting walkways, and hidden routes leading to different train lines and bus stops.

Along the way, you’ll also find plenty of restaurants, bakeries, and shops, which can easily distract you. With directions in hand from the kind gentleman at the information center, we finally tracked down our bus stop, a small but satisfying victory in the maze of Kyoto Station. As we walked over, the bustle of commuters faded into the background, replaced by the gentle hum of buses idling nearby. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait long; within minutes, our bus rolled up.

Arriving Early? Things to Do Nearby

After about a 30–40 minute ride, we reached the final stop and hopped off. From there, it’s only a short five-minute walk to the temple entrance. The path follows a gentle river, and across the water, you can see the Moss Temple grounds waiting for you.

If you arrive early for your reservation, don’t worry, there’s plenty to do nearby. For instance, right across from the bus stop is an adorable coffee and tea café with what looked like a lovely outdoor seating area (we skipped it this time, but I wish we hadn’t). In addition, there are several smaller temples and shrines within walking distance, and if my memory serves me correctly, there’s also a small restaurant close to the bus stop.

Arriving At Kyoto Moss Temple

When you reach the temple, check-in is right at the main gate. First, you give your name. Then, you receive a short sheet of rules to read and agree to, and finally, the staff reminds you of one important point: no photography or video inside, except in the garden.

After checking in, you’ll receive a map and a pen before making your way to the Main Hall. Along the way, the peaceful, quiet path sets a calm tone for the rest of your visit.

First Stop: The Main Hall & Goshuin Stamp

Your first stop will be the Main Hall, you’ll need to remove your shoes outside before entering. Inside, you can leave your book to have it stamped with a Goshuin. If you don’t already have a stamp book, they are available for purchase here; alternatively, you can request the stamp on a piece of paper (something we’ve done a few times when we forgot our books or when the location only offered paper). The Goshuin stamp costs about 500 yen (roughly $3.40 USD).

Fun Fact: Out of all the stamps I’ve collected, I love this one the most.

Copying Sutras – A Meditative Tradition

From there, you’ll exit to the left of the building for a chance to copy Sutras. At a nearby table, a staff member hands you the papers you need and invites you to choose your seat. Options include shaded spots indoors or open-air desks outside—we chose the latter.

Copying the Sutras is not about speed or perfection, it’s about slowing down. Each brushstroke felt almost meditative, the rhythmic motion pulling us deeper into the stillness around us. Copying the Sutras took us about 30–40 minutes; however, we barely noticed the time passing.

Once you’ve finished, you can leave your Sutra for the temple’s prayers or take it home. We chose to keep ours a beautiful, deeply personal souvenir of the day.

Exploring the Moss-Covered Garden

With our pages safely tucked away, we slipped our shoes back on and wandered into the garden. The pond mirrored the surrounding mossy ground, and a quiet trail wound alongside the water. We lingered on a bench, listening to the gentle rustle of leaves and the occasional splash of koi breaking the surface. It was the perfect ending to an already unforgettable visit.

After we finished exploring the gardens we headed back to the Main Hall to grab our Goshuin and to start the walk back to the bus stop.

Tips for visiting Kyoto Moss Temple:

• Reservations Required: Book in advance online or by phone; this temple strictly controls visitor numbers.
• Cash Only: Bring yen for the Goshuin stamp (about ¥500 / $3.40 USD) and any small purchases.
• No Photos Indoors: You may take photos only in the garden.
• Arrive Early: If you get there before your slot, explore the nearby shrines, a charming café across the bus stop, or a small restaurant nearby.
• Wear Easy-to-Remove Shoes: You’ll be taking them off to enter the Main Hall.