Suzumushi Temple, Kyoto

Suzumushi Temple (Kegonji), Kyoto Formally known as Myotokuzan Kegonji, Suzumushi Temple takes its popular name from the suzumushi — Japanese bell crickets — that are raised and kept year-round within the temple grounds. It was founded in 1723 by the eminent monk Houtan Shounin as a temple of the Kegon sect of Buddhism, situated in the Arashiyama area of western Kyoto.

The crickets were introduced by a dedicated priest who cherished the sound of their chirping during summer evenings and devoted decades of research to breeding them in a controlled environment, enabling the temple to maintain their song throughout all four seasons. Today, the temple is home to approximately 8,000 bell crickets, whose continuous chirping forms the spiritual and sensory backdrop of every visit.

Visitors are first led to the Shoin hall, where they are seated among the cricket cages, served tea and traditional sweets, and treated to the Suzumushi Seppo — a sermon delivered by the chief priest on Buddhist teachings, known for being accessible and at times humorous. Following the sermon, guests may explore the temple garden, which offers a panoramic view of the Kyoto cityscape.

The most venerated feature of the grounds is the Kofuku Jizo — a guardian deity statue wearing straw sandals — widely believed to grant a single wish to those who pray sincerely and recite their home address aloud. The temple has developed a particularly strong following among visitors seeking blessings for love and relationships.

Admission is ¥500 for high school students and above, and ¥300 for junior high students and younger, with tea and sweets included in the entrance fee. The temple is approximately a 10-minute walk from Matsuo Taisha Station on the Hankyu Railway, or a 45-minute bus ride from JR Kyoto Station followed by a 15-minute walk from the Matsuo Taisha-mae bus stop.