Visit a temple with ties to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, including a National Treasure writing room, tea room, and beautiful gardens.
Hōkyō-ji Temple is a temple known for its connection to the Ashikaga family, founded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shōgun of the Muromachi shogunate. Yoshimitsu is renowned for solidifying the Muromachi shogunate's authority and significantly advancing Japanese culture and art. The temple boasts a writing room built as Yoshimitsu's late-life residence, a tea room reflecting his passion for the tea ceremony, and a beautiful garden surrounding the writing room—all deeply intertwined with Yoshimitsu's life. The writing room's opulent interior evokes the grandeur of a powerful ruler. The tea room, while simple, offers a space of refined charm, revealing Yoshimitsu's dedication to the tea ceremony. The garden, with its seasonal foliage, creates a harmonious landscape complementing the writing room and tea room. Hōkyō-ji Temple allows visitors to reflect on Yoshimitsu's legacy while experiencing a touch of history and culture. It's highly recommended for those interested in Yoshimitsu's life, the history of the Ashikaga clan, or simply beautiful gardens, writing rooms, and tea rooms.