Saiho-ji, also known as the “Moss Temple,” is famous for its lush, green moss gardens－a must-see for anyone visiting Kyoto. When I first started planning my own independent trip to Kyoto years ago, Saiho-ji was at the top of my wish list. But back then, the only way to reserve a visit was by mailing a postcard at least two weeks in advance, and with just eight or nine days in Japan, it was impossible to guarantee I’d get a spot on my preferred date. There were simply too many uncertainties, so I had to give up on the idea.
This time, I found myself returning to Kyoto on short notice, with Saiho-ji once again at the top of my must-visit list－alongside the Museum of Kyoto and Kungyokudo incense shop. Not remembering the old reservation process after more than a decade, I decided to look up the latest information. To my surprise, I discovered that Saiho-ji now offers online reservations! The interface is clean, straightforward, and beginner-friendly: even if you’re applying for the first time, you’ll have no trouble navigating the process.。
Key Points Before Booking Saiho-ji Online
The reservation site is different from Saiho-ji’s official website. Although you can find a link from the official site, it can be easy to miss if you’re not familiar with it. For your convenience, I’ve included the direct reservation link below so you don’t end up on the wrong site.
Once you open the reservation site, the temple shows all the important information in a chart on the main page. I’ve listed the main things to keep in mind below.
- You can book online from two months in advance up until 11:59 PM (Japan time) the day before your visit.
- Online reservations require payment by credit card. There is a system usage fee of 110 yen per person. Overseas credit cards are accepted,I had no issues with my VISA. If your card doesn’t go through for any reason, I recommend trying a JCB card.
- You can reserve for up to two people per booking. For groups of more than two, you must use the postcard method, but acceptance is not guaranteed.
- If you need to change your reservation date, you must cancel and book again. The system usage fee is non-refundable, even if you cancel.
- If you cancel up to four days before your visit, you’ll get a full refund (excluding the system usage fee). If you cancel within four days to one day before, you’ll get a 50% refund. No refunds are given for same-day cancellations.
- Children under 12 are not allowed, including infants.
Overall, I think the temple’s policies are very reasonable, especially the full refund if you cancel at least four days in advance, which is quite generous. However, be sure to check the latest official rules on the reservation website before booking. If you don’t read Japanese, just use Google Translate.
Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Saiho-ji Online
To book online, you’ll need to create an account first—there’s no way around this, since the QR code will be sent to your email. Having an account also makes it easier to recover your reservation if you lose it, which is important since each ticket costs 4,000 yen.
When I first registered, there was no Chinese version of the reservation site available, so I had to use the Japanese interface. This guide is therefore based on the Japanese version. Fortunately, there is now an English version, which should make things even smoother for most users.
Account Registration
When you open the reservation website, you’ll see a calendar showing available dates. There’s no need to rush to pick a date right away: first, check if your preferred day is already fully booked. If it’s full, you can simply close the page and skip the rest of the steps. If your desired date is available, then you can move on with the process. This setup is quite user-friendly.
1.Click the “Register Account” button.
2.Agree to the website’s terms and conditions.
3.Here you need to enter your email address. This is very important, the temple will send a confirmation email to the address you provide. Make sure to enter it correctly; if you don’t receive the email, you won’t be able to continue with the process. If it doesn’t arrive, check your spam folder. If you still don’t see it, try using a different email address.
4.At this step, check your email inbox for a message from the temple. The email will contain a link for you to complete your personal information. Click the link, and it will take you to the next step where you can fill out your basic details.
5.Click the link in the email to access the personal information page. The example here is in Japanese, but on the English version, just enter your name in English. For address and phone number, you can use your hotel’s information.
When selecting your registration type, make sure to choose “General.” Most visitors are not Saiho-ji members: membership requires a separate fee, so don’t select the member option by mistake, or your application may get stuck. After filling everything out, click submit to continue.
6.After completing this step, the temple will send you another email confirming your account registration. However, this email isn’t very important. Once you reach this point, you can go ahead and click the “Apply for Visit” button to proceed.
Selecting Date and Time & Making Payment
1.After registering, you can go to the calendar page and choose your preferred date. Remember, you can only select dates within the next two months. If a date isn’t available, it means it’s not open for booking yet.
2.After selecting your date, you’ll need to enter the number of visitors and their basic information, since the person visiting may be different from the account holder.
3.Next, you’ll review the information you just entered and see a summary of the payment details. The total is 4,110 yen per person (4,000 yen for the ticket plus a 110 yen system fee). If you have two people, just multiply the amount by two. Once you’ve checked that both the number of people and the total amount are correct, go ahead and submit your reservation.
4.After you submit, a confirmation screen will pop up to double-check your payment amount. If everything looks correct, just click the button at the bottom to proceed to the next step.
5.Next, you’ll need to enter your credit card details. I used a VISA card and had no issues with an overseas card. If your card doesn’t go through, try a different one or have a JCB card ready just in case.
6.Then, double-check that your credit card information is correct. If everything looks good, go ahead and click the blue button to continue.
7.Next is the security verification step. Make sure your phone is nearby so you can receive the verification code from your bank. If you’re booking while in Japan and your phone doesn’t have roaming, you may need to ask your bank to send the code to your email instead of your phone. If you don’t receive the code, you won’t be able to complete the transaction.
This extra verification (like entering a one-time security code) is a required step for credit card payments in Taiwan, but I’m not sure if the same process applies for credit cards from other countries. If you’re using a foreign card, please check with your bank in advance if you have any concerns.
8.Once you enter the verification code correctly, your payment will be completed. No matter what country your credit card is from, as long as the payment goes through, you’ll see the same confirmation screen.
9.After closing the pop-up window, you’ll return to the main website page, where you’ll see buttons for your QR code and application details. At this point, the process is basically complete. You should also receive a confirmation email with a link to your entry QR code.
Final Confirmation
The QR code page will display your entry QR code along with your visit time and other basic details. This QR code serves as your admission ticket for the day of your visit. Since Saiho-ji is located in a more rural area and cell service may be unreliable, I recommend taking a screenshot of your QR code in advance: just in case you have any issues with your internet connection on the day.
The application details page provides more detailed information about your reservation.
If you want extra peace of mind, you can log in to your account, your reservation details will be visible right after you sign in.
Reflections on My Dream Visit to Saiho-ji – The Peaceful World of Moss That Photos Can’t Capture
Visiting Saiho-ji has always been one of my biggest dreams. In the past, however, the postcard reservation system made it nearly impossible for me. I remember that you used to have to apply at least two weeks in advance—and now, it’s even a month ahead. Since my trips to Japan usually only last seven or eight days, I could never fit Saiho-ji into my itinerary.
That’s why the new online reservation system feels like a game changer, especially for travelers like me with limited time in Japan. Now, you can instantly check availability and choose your preferred time slot before you even leave for Japan. It makes planning so much easier and finally makes a visit to Saiho-ji possible, even on a short trip.
I have to say, seeing Saiho-ji in person was far more beautiful than any photo could show. The gardens are covered with many different types of moss, from soft, thread-like varieties to thick, velvety ones. The moss forms a lush green carpet over the ground and stones, creating a calm and almost otherworldly atmosphere. Walking among the moss, I felt as if I had entered a peaceful green world, completely separate from everyday life. It’s easy to understand why the temple limits the number of visitors—too many people would ruin the quiet and serenity that make this place so special.Of course！
Saiho-ji’s moss garden is not only visually stunning but also deeply moving on a spiritual level. Every step feels like a quiet conversation with nature. The moss here is more than just a plant, it’s a form of art, creating beautiful natural scenes that inspire a sense of awe. If I have the chance to visit Kyoto in another season, I will definitely return to Saiho-ji to see how the temple changes throughout the year. Being able to find peace and reflect in such a place is truly an unparalleled experience.
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