June has arrived, and along with it an unusually early rainy season comes knocking at the door.
Muggy days, alternating between scorching sunshine and sometimes torrential rain, are characteristic of this season.
Yet even at this time of year, there are little things in nature from which to draw comfort. And one such example is Rurikoin Temple in Kyoto’s Sakyo ward.
You might be unfamiliar with the name of this beautiful location, but the temple is iconic for its garden views with beautiful Japanese maple trees. In autumn, the leaves turn gorgeous shades of yellow, orange, and red, and attract tourists from all over the country and overseas.
At this time of year, however, the maple leaves are a stunning fresh shade of green. The view from the ample room with large windows, with the sound of rain in the background, is enough to calm the senses.
A fun fact is that, on the second floor of the Shoin building, the room has a large window overlooking the garden, but there is also a black lacquered desk in the center of the room. This table reflects the surrounding colorful scenery, which adds to the mysterious atmosphere and makes it a picturesque shot for photography lovers.
Visitors are usually allowed to enter the temple from mid-April until the end of June. However, the venue was closed until recently due to the state of emergency declared to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in Japan. As a result, the organizers have decided to extend the entry period to later in the summer.
Rurikoin will be open from June 1 to July 31, from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. All visitors will be required to wear a mask.
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(Click here to read the related article in Japanese.)
Author: The Sankei Shimbun
