In autumn, the maple leaves of Kosho-ji Temple will reach their best season. This temple has close relation with master Dogen, founder of Soto sect of Zen Buddhism. The red of the maple and the yellow of the ginkgo create an exquisite harmony. This temple is located in Kutsuki, village in the inland area of Takashima.
The name of the village, Kutsuki, is the surname of one of Takashima's strongest seven warlords who ruled Takashima during the Warring States period of 16th century. At that time, many samurai families had been living in Takashima.
Kyoto at that time was governed by the Ashikaga Shogun family. The first Ashikaga built Tenryu-ji, the third Ashikaga built Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and the eighth Ashikaga built famous temples such as Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) in Kyoto.
However, the struggle between the warlords of the time was constant, involving the shogunate and swelling into a great war. After the Onin War that lasted for 10 years, Kyoto was devastated.
Ashikaga clan continued to be a shogun, but its power weakened, and the 13th Ashikaga escaped from the war in the city and fled north. Then, he stayed at this Kosho-ji Temple.
Surprisingly, the general stayed here for six years, and his 10,000 subordinates also lived in the village.
In this way, the temple in a quiet village began to have a magnificent building and became Takashima's premier Buddhist temple. Do not miss its beautiful garden with the magnificent nature of Takashima.
If you have a car, you can access the temple straight via the mountain road from Kyoto, but for foreign tourists in general, we recommend getting off at Adogawa Station in Takashima, then taking a bus to Kutsuki village.
If you have any questions to get there, please contact us.
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