This is one of the 17 World Heritage Sites registered in Kyoto and a famous temple which represents Arashiyama. It was built by Shogun Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, about 700 years ago.
The purpose was to pray for the soul of Emperor Godaigo, who had had a different opinion.
At that time this temple was 10 times bigger than it is now. It was burned down and rebuilt many times, and so it became smaller and smaller. Finally, the temple rebuilt during the Meiji Restoration, about 150 years ago.
The Sogenchi Garden is designed as a strolling pond garden, in which a level path surrounding a picturesque pond allows guests to appreciate the scenery from a variety of perspectives.
