Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Fukuchi-chō, Nanzen-ji, Sakyō-ku
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grounds free, Hōjō garden ¥500, San-mon gate ¥300-400
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8.40am-5pm Mar-Nov, to 4.30pm Dec-Feb
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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.