Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TENRYŪ-JI
OFFLINE MAP
(
天竜寺
; 881-1235; 68 Susukinobaba- chō, Saga Tenryū-ji, Ukyō-ku; admission ¥600; 8.30am-5pm, to
5.30pm 21 Oct-20 Mar; 2min walk from Keifuku Arashiyama Station, Keifuku Arashiyama, Randen, line)
This
fine temple has one of the most attractive stroll gardens in all of Kyoto, particularly dur-
ing the spring cherry-blossom and autumn-foliage seasons. The main 14th-century Zen
garden, with its backdrop of the Arashiyama mountains, is a good example of
shakkei
(borrowed scenery). Unfortunately, it's no secret that the garden here is world class, so it
pays to visit early in the morning or on a weekday.
| TEMPLE
Tenryū-ji is a major temple of the Rinzai school. It was built in 1339 on the old site of
Go-Daigo's villa after a priest had a dream of a dragon rising from the nearby river. The
dream was seen as a sign that the emperor's spirit was uneasy and so the temple was built
as appeasement - hence the name
tenryū
(heavenly dragon). The present buildings date
from 1900. You will find Arashiyama's famous bamboo grove situated just outside the
north gate of the temple.
