Komyo-ji Temple
(Main temple of the Seizan Jodoshu Sect)

Nagaokakyo City boasts a great number of temples with beautiful features, and one of the best examples is Yokoku-ji Temple. Locals have always paid a great amount of respect as a spot for praying for relief from eye diseases. The temple also attracts numerous visitors with its spectacle of approximately 5,000 hydrangeas in summer and colorful maple leaves in fall. One of the main features is the garden, which appears as stunning as a painting when viewed from the Kamisho-in Hall, open to the public on the 17th of every month. The landscaping was highly praised by the noted gardener Shigemori Mirei, who created a number of gardens in the 1900s, including the famous one in Tofuku-ji Temple. Another attraction on the grounds are hanachozu, stone bowls and basins in which seasonal flowers are floating.

At Otokuni-dera Temple, about 2,000 peonies of different colors come into full bloom in late April every year. They are covered by attractive white umbrellas to avoid over-exposure to the harsh sun, just like a scene from a fairy tale. Said to be established by Shotoku Taishi, a famous political figure during the 6th and 7th centuries, it is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto. It is also well known for its connection to the noble priest Kukai (or Kobo Daishi). When you visit this temple, it is recommended to buy a good luck charm embroidered with the image of a peony.