Myokian

Myokian is a small hermitage located in Yamazaki, Oyamazaki, on the border between Kyoto and Osaka prefectures in Japan. The temple belongs to the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and serves as a sub-temple of Tōfuku-ji in Kyoto. Its history dates back to the early 17th century, when it was established as a retreat for Buddhist monks seeking solitude and meditation practice away from larger temple complexes.

The hermitage gained architectural significance for housing Japan's oldest surviving tea house, Taian, which was designed by Sen no Rikyū, the most influential figure in the history of Japanese tea ceremony. Rikyū completed this two-mat tea room around 1582, making it a National Treasure of Japan. The structure exemplifies the wabi-sabi aesthetic that Rikyū perfected—an appreciation for simplicity, imperfection, and the beauty of natural materials. The tea house measures just two tatami mats in floor area, representing the ultimate refinement of the intimate tea ceremony space.

Visitors to Myokian come primarily to view Taian, though entry into the tea house itself is typically restricted to preserve the historic structure. The hermitage grounds also feature traditional Japanese gardens that reflect the Zen principles of harmony and contemplation. The temple provides a quiet atmosphere distinct from Kyoto's more crowded tourist sites, appealing to those interested in tea ceremony culture, Zen aesthetics, and Japanese architectural history.

Access to Myokian requires traveling to Yamazaki, which lies approximately 30 minutes southwest of central Kyoto by train. The nearest station is Yamazaki Station on the JR Tōkaidō Line or Ōyamazaki Station on the Hankyū Railway. From either station, the hermitage is roughly a 15-minute walk. Admission fees apply, and advance reservations may be required depending on the season, as the temple sometimes limits visitor numbers to protect the historic tea house.