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Gio-ji

じゃんもどき / CC BY-SA 3.0

Gio-ji

祇王寺

Kyoto · Kansai

A tiny thatched-roof nunnery in Okuno-Sagano whose entire compact garden is carpeted in dozens of species of luminous green moss beneath a maple canopy. It is tied to the Heike Monogatari tale of Gio, a Shirabyoshi dancer cast aside by Taira no Kiyomori who retreated here to become a nun. Best timed for late autumn (Nov-Dec) for maples; moss lushest in early summer.

Why we picked it

Overshadowed by the nearby bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji, this hushed moss garden is a five-minute detour most visitors never make.

Best season
Summer · Autumn · Winter
Crowd level
Moderate
Rating
4.5· 2,728 reviews
Opening hours
Daily 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.

Admission
adult raised from 300, students 100
Nearest station
JR Saga-Arashiyama Station
Website
giouji.or.jp

Today

9:00–16:30

Stored weekly hours

Daily 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Tags

templemossgardenquietautumn foliageoff-the-beaten-path

Location

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