Jakko-in Temple In Ohara
About the Jakko-in Camera
Jakko-in is a small convent in Ohara, in the hills well north of central Kyoto. The valley is a different world from the city: terraced fields, cedar slopes and a scatter of temples, reached by bus up the Takano river valley.
The temple's fame rests on one person. Kenreimon-in, daughter of Taira no Kiyomori and mother of the child emperor Antoku, retired here as a nun after the Taira were destroyed at Dannoura in 1185. The closing section of the Tale of the Heike is set at Jakko-in, which gives this quiet place an unusual weight in Japanese literature.
The main hall burned in 2000 and was rebuilt a few years later. Ohara is at its best in late autumn, when the surrounding slopes turn, and the camera is a good way to judge whether the valley is busy, since its narrow lanes fill quickly.
Highlights & Nearby
- •Watch for: the quiet convent grounds, late-autumn colour in the Ohara valley, winter snow in the hills
- •Nearby: Sanzen-in, Hosen-in, the Ohara valley, Mount Hiei
- •Note: the main hall was rebuilt after a fire in 2000
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Jakko-in camera live?
Yes. It streams the temple grounds continuously.
Why is Jakko-in historically important?
Kenreimon-in, mother of the child emperor Antoku, lived here as a nun after the fall of the Taira in 1185. The Tale of the Heike closes at this temple.
Where is Ohara?
A valley in the hills north of central Kyoto, reached by bus, with a cluster of temples including Sanzen-in.
When should I watch?
Late autumn for the colour in the valley, or winter for snow in the northern hills.
