Tenryuji Temple, located in the scenic Arashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan, is a renowned Zen Buddhist temple with a rich history dating back to the 14th century. Established in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji, the temple is celebrated for its exquisite gardens and cultural significance.
The Tenryuji temple is one of the most prominent temples in the Zen sect of Buddhism and is located in Kyoto, Japan. This temple was built by Ashikaga Takauji and dates back to the 1330s. This temple was built with the aim of venerating the Buddha and is also related to the then Emperor Go-Daigo. The Tenryuji temple is also considered to be one of the five mountains of Kyoto. In fact, this temple is also registered as one of the historic monuments of ancient Kyoto.
When planning your Japan tours, a visit to the Tenryuji Temple is essential to experience its historical significance and serene beauty. While the temple has undergone a lot of renovations, the garden continues to survive for centuries in its original shape. This garden was created by Muso Soseki who also served as the head priest of the temple. This temple also takes pride in being a world heritage site too and continues to attract tourists from across the world.
Highlights
• Visit the Sogen Pond Garden and unwind amidst the premises while you know more about this 700 year old garden.
• Go to the dragon gate pavilion- a popular vegetarian restaurant to try out the local cuisine and dine with a serene view.
• Explore the Hojo and visit the altar that houses a Buddha which is of great religious and cultural significance.
• Check out the living quarters of the temple and check out the large painting of Bodhidharma- an ancient monk from India.
• Walk through the Dharma hall that was destroyed by multiple fires and continues to attract tourists thanks to its restoration.
How To Reach
1. By Car: The Tenryuji temple is 9.6 km from the city centre, it will take 30 min via Route number 111.
2. By Train/ metro: Take a train to Saga Arashiyama station which is 600 metres away from the museum. You can reach the activity location from the train station with a 7-minute walk
Best Time To Visit
Tenryuji temple is open throughout the year, so you can plan your visit to this place at any time of the year.
1. The best season to visit Tenryuji temple will be the summer season from March to June because this is the time when the climate is pleasant.
2. The best day in the week will be the weekdays due to less crowds regardless of any time of the year.
3. The best time of the day to visit the Tenryuji temple will be morning due to less crowds and a favourable temperature.
Other Essential Information
- There is an admission fee to be paid to enter the premises of the temple, so be prepared accordingly.
- This is a place of worship, so do dress modestly by covering the shoulders and knees.
- This is a place of worship, so tourists are advised not to make any loud noises by either talking or using their mobile devices.
- Google translate works here, so it is recommended that you download it for translation purposes.
- You might have to walk a lot to check out the different spots in the temple, so be prepared accordingly.
Visit the Hatto
In a Zen temple, the Hatto is the place where the master delivered the sermons to the monks of the temple. Today, it is predominantly used for ceremonial functions which is also worth attending. The original structure was destroyed by a fire in the 1860s and was later restored. Once you enter the Hatto, you will notice the Shakyamuni Buddha and 2 of his disciples Manjusir and Smantabhadra. You can also find the memorial tables that were installed to honour the Japanese emperor Tenryu ji
Visit the Hojo
The Hojo is the quarters of the Abbot and is divided into a small and larger part. This place is also used for ceremonial purposes and has 2 wide verandas on its front. There is a Buddha image enshrined in this temple and it is a Shakyamuni Buddha. It is also interesting to note that the Buddha is declared as Important Cultural Property and is more than 1000 years old. Despite major fires wreaking havoc in the temple, the Buddha here continues to survive.
Visit the Sogenchi Teien
This is a garden that was built 700 years ago and continues to retain its original shape. In fact, this garden was the first of its kind to be declared as a Site of Special Historic and Scenic Importance. What was originally a strolling pond garden, it is now a great place to simply unwind. This garden also comes with the mountains as a backdrop to give it a much more appealing look.
