Daihonzan (head temple) of a prestigious Zen temple ranked third among the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto
Founded in Kennin 2 (1202) by Eisai, who studied Zen in Sung, it is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and the head temple of the Kennin-ji School of the Rinzai Sect. They have a lot of valuable cultural properties such as the Soryu-zu which glares at the ceiling of the lecture hall and the national treasure "Fujin Raijin Zu" (the exhibition is a reproduction). The 3 gardens with modern space beauty are also spectacular.
The picture is of the Wind God and Thunder God Folding Screen, which is known as the masterpiece of Tawaraya Sotatsu. The dynamic figure of the Wind God and Thunder God is impressive.
Ssangyong painting commemorating 800 years since the founding of Kennin-ji Temple. It is a large work measuring 11.4 meters long and 15.7 meters wide.
Three gardens full of character are a must-see: Chaoon garden with triad stones, Daiyoen garden with white sand spread all over, and ◯ △ □ garden that expresses the thought of Zen!
Kinnin-ji Temple
075-561-6363
584 Komatu-cho, Shijo-sagaru, Yamato-oji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi
5 minutes' walk from Higashiyama-yasui City Bus Stop
10am-5pm (Last reception 4.30pm)
Admission: 600 yen
Closing dates : Open year round (There are days when it cannot be visited, so please check it on the website.)
WEBSITE : https://www.kenninji.jp/
