Features and attractions of Suzumo-dera Temple, Kyoto! Are there bell bugs all year round? What is the popular Suzumushi sermon?

KYOTREAT Editors

There are many temples to visit in Kyoto, but have you ever heard of Suzumo-dera Temple, famous for the sound of bell bugs?

As the name suggests, Suzumushi-ji Temple is known for the sound of bell bugs, but other popular attractions include the Suzumushi Sermon.

So what exactly is Suzumo-ji Temple and what are its attractions?
In this issue, we would like to introduce information about Suzumo-dera Temple in Saikyo-ku, Tokyo.

Table of Contents

What is Suzumo-ji Temple in Kyoto?

Attractions of Suzumo-dera Temple, Kyoto

Visiting Hours and Admission Fees at Suzumo-ji Temple, Kyoto

■ Summary

What is Suzumo-ji Temple in Kyoto?

Photohttps://www.suzutera.or.jp/

Suzumo-ji Temple is located in Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture.
It is located on the south side of the popular spot Arashiyama.

The official name of Suzumo-ji Temple is Kegon-ji Temple, a temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.
Kegon-ji Temple was built in 1723 during the Edo period (1603-1868) and has a history of more than 300 years.

It is called "Suzumushi Temple" by the locals because the sound of bell bugs can be heard here throughout the year, regardless of the season.

At this Suzumo-ji Temple, visitors are attracted by the Suzumushi Sermon, in which they can listen to a gratifying story, and by the nature that surrounds the temple grounds.

Attractions of Suzumo-dera Temple, Kyoto

Photohttps://www.suzutera.or.jp/photo/summer/

Suzumo-ji Temple, where the sound of bell bugs is said to connect people's wishes.
Suzumo-ji Temple has an attraction that other temples do not have.

So what is it about this place that attracts so many people to come and worship?

Fat Bellworm Preaching

Photohttps://www.suzutera.or.jp/photo/other/

The most attractive feature of Suzumo-ji Temple is the humorous "Suzumushi Sermon.
Suzumo-ji Temple helps us to release our everyday anxieties through preaching and to ease our minds.

The monks' sermons are a good opportunity to think about how to be mindful with their humorous talks, which are interwoven with current events and other topics.
The stories are sometimes so funny that they make people laugh out loud, and the lack of a formal atmosphere is probably characteristic of Suzumo-dera Temple.

The idea is also based on the tea ceremony, one of the teachings of Zen Buddhism, and tea and tea sweets can be enjoyed (currently only tea sweets are being served due to the Corona disaster).

You may feel lighter by the end of the bellwether preaching series.

Fat bell bugs

Photohttps://www.suzutera.or.jp/photo/other/

The charm of Suzumo-ji Temple is the sound of bell bugs.
The sound of the bell bugs is described on the Suzumo-ji website as "the sound of teaching," and the sound is very pleasant.

At Suzumo-ji Temple, visitors can hear the chirping of bell bugs all year round, and listen to the bell bug sermon with the sound of bell bugs.

Especially in autumn, when bellbirds are more active, you can hear their calls more clearly, so you can spend a quaint time listening to them while admiring the autumn foliage.

Jizo (guardian deity of children) wearing fat straw sandals

Photohttps://www.suzutera.or.jp/photo/other/

At Suzumo-ji Temple, there is a "straw-wearing Jizo-san" who is said to grant only one wish.
Jizo-san stands by the temple gate after climbing the stone steps of Suzumo-ji Temple.
This is called "Happy Jizo," but its official name is "Happy Jizo Bosatsu.

This Jizo holds a tin cane in his right hand and a jewel in his left, but his most distinctive feature is that he is wearing a "waraji" (straw sandals).

It is said that this is the only Jizo wearing straw sandals in Japan, and he comes to everyone to make wishes come true or to offer his hand.
It is especially famous for "granting romantic wishes.

Fat happiness charm

Photohttps://www.suzutera.or.jp/photo/spring/

Since amulets are incarnations of Buddha, it is said that if you carry an amulet from Suzumoji Temple, the Happy Jizo will protect you.

If you wear it at all times, Jizo will always protect you.

The amulet of Suzumo-ji Temple is a yellow amulet, and if you make a wish on it, the walking Jizo may come to fulfill it.

Fat Scenery

Photohttps://www.suzutera.or.jp/photo/other/

In autumn, the leaves turn vivid colors, and in winter, the whole area can become a world of white and silver.
One of the attractions of this area is its natural scenery, regardless of the season.

Visiting Hours and Admission Fees at Suzumo-ji Temple, Kyoto

Information on visiting hours and admission fees for Suzumo-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan.

Fat worship time
Hours of worship are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last entry at 4:30 a.m.
(Suzumushi sermon lasts about 30 minutes)

Fat worship fee
Adults (high school students and older) 500 yen
Children (4 years old to junior high school students and older) 300 yen
(with tea cakes)

■ Summary

In this issue, we have introduced information on Suzumo-ji Temple in Kyoto.
Just going to Suzumo-dera Temple, with its Jizo and Suzumushi Sermon, seems to bring happiness.
Please visit Suzumo-ji Temple, which is used by many worshippers for good luck and prayers.

Facility Name:Kegon-ji Temple (Suzumo-ji Temple)
Address: 31 Matsumuro Jike-cho, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: about 15 minutes on foot from "Matsuo Taisha" station on the Hankyu Railway

HP:https://www.suzutera.or.jp/