Shojiji Temple

Shojiji, on the slopes of Mt. Oshio northwest of Kyoto, is known for the cherry trees on its grounds, particularly one known as Saigyo-zakura, a third-generation descendant of a tree planted by the twelfth-century poet-monk Saigyo Hoshi. The temple holds nationally designated Buddhist statuary in its Rurikoden Hall, including two 3-meter Nio guardian figures originally placed at the Niomon Gate, and paired Yakushi Buddha statues where a smaller image was discovered inside the larger one. The only structure to survive the Onin War is the ninth-century Niomon Gate, standing about 500 meters down the main approach. The temple is closed in February. Autumn foliage from surrounding maples draws visitors to the mountain slopes through November.