More commonly referred to as Kodedera and know as the Moss Temple. Entrance requires a reservation made in advance by mail. And you must particpate in copying Buddhist sutra which can take up to an hour, but worth the effort and part of the experience. The moss gardens are serene, an amazing experience.

Though it's expensive (3000 yen) and requires a reservation by mail at least one week in advance, I do recommend Saiho-ji. Participating in the service, in my case chanting the sutras, but in others copying the sutras, is a unique experience among Kyoto's many temples, and the gardens will give you a new-found respect for moss and its calming qualities.

Saihoji Temple (or Koke-dere, or Moss Garden) requires a written permission. One needs to write a few weeks in advance enclosing self addressed envelope (best if you know where you will be staying in Japan). There is a bit of chanting in Japanese prior to being able to walk the grounds. The grounds are spectacular as others note. Various city... More

Expensive and out of the way, but very few people around for the spectacular moss garden. There were a surprising number of people writing the prayers which took me way longer than the 1/2 hour stated in the reservation, but by the time I finished there were very few people in the garden which we stayed in for a couple... More

This out-of-the-way temple in western Kyoto is a wonderful break from the temples and shrines in eastern Kyoto that are always overrun with visitors. It boasts one of Japan's most beautiful gardens, a moss garden that is truly breathtaking. They seek to deter visitors by charging a hefty fee of 3000 yen per visitor and requiring all visitors to sit... More