Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
» Fukuchi-chō, Nanzen-ji, Sakyō-ku
» grounds free, Hōjō garden ¥500, San-mon gate ¥300-400
»
8.40am-5pm Mar-Nov, to 4.30pm Dec-Feb
»
10min walk from Keage Station, Tōzai subway line
Nanzen-ji ( 南禅寺 ) began its life as a retirement villa for Emperor Kameyama. Upon
his passing in 1291, it was dedicated as a Zen temple. It operates now as the headquarters
of the Rinzai school.
At the entrance to the temple stands the San-mon gate (1628), its ceiling adorned with
Tosa and Kanō school murals of birds and angels. Beyond the San-mon is the Honden
(main hall) with a dragon painting on the ceiling.
Beyond the Honden, the Hōjō hall contains the Leaping Tiger Garden, a classical kar-
ensansui (dry gravel landscape, or Zen) garden. Sadly, a tape loop in Japanese detracts
from the experience of the garden. You can enjoy a cup of tea (¥400) as you sit on tatami
mats gazing at a small waterfall; ask at the reception desk.
After visiting the main hall and the Hōjō Garden, walk under the aqueduct and take a
hard left and walk up the hill. Climb the steps to Kōtoku-an, a fine subtemple nestled at
the base of the mountains. It's free to enter and you will have the place to yourself about
half the time.
Several fine subtemples that surround the complex: Nanzen-in ( CLICK HERE ), Konchi-in
( CLICK HERE ) and Tenju-an ( CLICK HERE ).
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