Temple · Yase / Sakyo

Rurikoin 瑠璃光院

A seasonal-opening villa temple in Yase whose polished black desk reflects the surrounding maples in perfect symmetry, one of Kyoto's most viral images.

About

Rurikoin occupies a former villa in the foothills of Mt. Hiei, built in the Taisho era and redesigned in the Showa period by the master carpenter Nakamura Sotoji. On the second floor, a black-lacquered desk and the polished floor reflect the maples outside, creating the "yuka-momiji" (floor maple) and "tsukue-momiji" images that went viral on Instagram. The Ruri-no-niwa moss garden, with streams and stones, and the Garyu-no-niwa garden are equally fine. It is open only for limited spring and autumn periods, often with advance online reservation, and visitors can try sutra copying. The ride to Yase-Hieizanguchi Station on the Eizan Railway or the Keihan bus takes you to the edge of the mountains.

Highlights

• Maples mirrored in the polished black desk
• Ruri-no-niwa moss garden
• Sukiya-style villa by Nakamura Sotoji
• Sutra-copying on the first floor
• Fresh green maples in spring opening

Tips

• Check the opening periods and reservation system on the official site before going.
• Photography is allowed but tripods are not; slots are timed in peak autumn.
• The spring green maple season is less crowded and almost as dramatic.
• Combine with the Yase hiking route or the Eizan cable car to Mt. Hiei.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Shugakuin Imperial VillaCastle & Palace · 1.2 km away
• Manshu-in Monzeki TempleTemple · 1.7 km away
• Ramen TohichiRamen & Noodles · 2.2 km away
• Enko-ji TempleTemple · 2.3 km away
• Shisen-doTemple · 2.5 km away
• Takaragaike ParkPark · 2.6 km away
• Menya Gokkei (Ichijoji Honten)Ramen & Noodles · 2.7 km away
• Tentenyu (Honten)Ramen & Noodles · 2.8 km away