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2024.3.10
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Kenninji Temple

Kyoto's oldest Zen grove [Kennin-ji Temple] standing dignifiedly in Gion

In 1202 (Kennin 2), Minamoto no Yoriie donated the temple grounds, and Eisai, the founder of the Rinzai sect, opened it as the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and one of Kyoto's five great temples.
The temple grounds are lined up in a north-south line with three gates, the Dharma Hall, and the Hojo building, and the Hojo front garden, the courtyard garden, and the garden of ○, △, △, and □ are beautiful gardens with a sense of dryness. In autumn, the garden is decorated with beautiful autumn colors such as red and yellow maple leaves and lighthouse azaleas. The temple also houses many temple treasures, including the National Treasure "Wind and Thunder Gods" by Sotatsu Tawaraya (a facsimile is usually displayed), a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the eleven-faced Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), and a painting of two dragons in the Dharma Hall. A powerful replica of the National Treasure, the Wind and Thunder Gods, can be viewed. Visitors can also experience sutra copying and zazen meditation, so take some time to reflect on your own life.

Kenninji Temple

The front garden of the Hojo, Daio-en, has green moss and huge stones on white sand. Karesansui that clears your mind when you look at it

Kenninji Temple

The 800th anniversary of the temple's founding was commemorated with the painting on the ceiling of the temple called "Twin Dragons", which is as large as 108 tatami mats.

Autumn leaves season information

  • Best time/usually late November to early December
    Kenninji Temple Autumn Special Viewing
    Period of visitation / Saturday, November 30, 2024 - Saturday, December 14, 2024
    Hours: 17:30-19:30 (last admission at 19:00)
    Fee/1800 yen *advance reservation required (for details)here(from)

Kenninji Temple

  • Kenninji
  • 584 Komatsucho, Yamatooji-dori, Shijoshitaru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 5 minutes on foot from the bus stop "Higashiyama Yasui"
    7 minutes on foot from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station
  • Tel.075-561-6363
  • 43 parking spaces (weekdays 300 yen/20 minutes, weekends and holidays 300 yen/15 minutes)
  • https://www.kenninji.jp/


  • [Normal visit]
    Visiting hours: 10:00-17:00 (Reception closes at 16:30)
    Admission: 800 yen for adults, 500 yen for elementary, junior high and high school students
    *Children under elementary school age are free
    *Children under elementary school age are not permitted to visit
*Please note that the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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