If you're visiting Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, consider stopping by the historic Ryotanji Temple. Its most captivating feature is the beautiful garden designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty. Sitting quietly in front of it and taking in the dry landscape garden and seasonal scenery is so relaxing that even spending half an hour doing nothing feels wonderful. The temple also houses many artifacts related to the Ii family and Ii Naotora. Behind the temple is the Ii family cemetery, including the graves of Ii Naochika and Ii Naotora. If you've seen the historical drama “Naotora: The Lady Warlord,” visiting this place really feels like stepping into history. Admission is JPY 700. The atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, making it well worth exploring and experiencing at a leisurely pace.
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Ryotanji Temple
The exquisite garden is registered as a national site of scenic beauty and the historic temple displays artifacts related to Ii Naotora.
This temple has episodes with the historically famous Ii Naotora, a female political leader with a male name. Ryotanji has Ii Family’s graves on the grounds, and Naotora’s confidante, Nankei Zuimon, ran this temple.
The classic temple is beautiful. The hallway is said to be made by Hidari Jingoro, a talented carving craftsman in Edo Period. The hallway is designed to chirp like an Uguisu bird with each step.
Ryotanji’s highlight is the garden, a registered national scenic beauty. On the temple grounds, plum, sasanqua and camellia will turn to azalea, rhododendron in spring and hydrangea in summer, a parade of flowers to enjoy in four seasons. From fall to winter, the autumn foliage is stunning to see.
In the fall special exhibition, a prefecture-designated cultural property, Yuraku-no-Zu folding screen is featured. It is a room divider with a painting that depicts life in early Edo Period - people drinking, playing chess or a card game, and fishing. Sometimes, the warlord Oda Nobunaga’s old encyclopedia, Soban Kinshu Bankakoku (national important cultural property), comes on display. You can think of the weight of the long history here and forget the city hustle and bustle.
There is a souvenir shop on the parking lot with Ii Naotora goods, eel ice cream, travel bags made of local textiles, etc.
Highlights
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The 1300-year-old historic temple with episodes of Ii Naotora.
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The breathtaking garden in any season is a registered national scenic beauty.
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In the fall special exhibition, the prefectural cultural property, Yuraku-no-Zu is displayed.
Photos
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Temple ground
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The beautiful garden in each season
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In the fall special exhibition, the prefectural cultural property, Yuraku-no-Zu folding screen is displayed.
Reviews
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 龍潭寺
- Postal Code
- 431-2212
- Address
- 1989 Inasachoiinoya, Hamana-ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka
- Telephone
- 053-542-0480
- Holiday
- August 15, December 22-27
- Hours
- 9:00am - 4:00pm (The gate closes 4:30pm)
- Admission
- Adult (high schoolers or older) 700 yen, Children (elementary and middle school students) 300 yen
- Directions
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1) From JR Tokaido Main Line, Hamamatsu Station, ride Entetsu Bus bound for Okuyama for 60 min. Get off at Jinguji and walk for 10 min.
2) From JR Tokaido Main Line, Hamamatsu Station, ride Entetsu Bus bound for Idaira for 60 min. Get off at Iinoyagu-mae and walk for 3 min. - Credit Cards
- Not accepted
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)