Ankokuji

What travelers say:

[View] We visited Aankoku-ji Temple on 3 different cherry blossom tours and it was not disappointing each time. The crying tree on the side of the main hall was spectacular and not to be missed. During this season, new buds will appear throughout the temple, especially on this tree. The whole place is lovely. Don’t miss the trees behind the hall and the many stone lanterns there and elsewhere. There are several small gardens with more flowering trees. If you stand near the photographed clock tower for long enough, then when the bell rings, you will be there, bowing to the bell bow and hitting the bell with a beam hanging from the rope, which will resonate for a long time. Statues abound, especially the seven Tibetan Bodhisattvas on Sanmon gates. Many of the annex buildings are quieter and more crowded than the main hall area, and they also contain statues, bells and lanterns. If you walk behind the hall and then walk a little, you will reach the pagoda that contains the Zenkoji History Museum. It may take a few hours to walk around, view and take photos. Take a moment to enjoy the entire Temple compound. You can take the city bus from the station to the Temple or walk up the hill from the station to the Temple - it takes about 30 minutes. The road in front of the gate is full of shops selling souvenirs, religious items and food. You can enjoy quality soft ice cream here. The street parallel to this is very interesting and worth a visit. Even if the cherry tree is not the peak, even if it is not the cherry blossom season at all, it is definitely worth a visit.