Kenninji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. This temple is like an art museum, where you can admire many precious paintings and a beautiful Zen garden.
The most convenient way to reach Ninnaji Temple from Kyoto Station is by bus, as there is no nearby train station. From the closest train station, it would take about 15 minute on foot. Buses take a little longer, but the nearest bus stop is right in front of Ninnaji Temple.
STEP
Board bus number 206 from D2 bus stop at Kyoto Station Bus Terminal.
STEP
Disembark at Higashiyama yasui bus stop.
It takes approximately 15-20 minutes to get here from Kyoto Station.
STEP
From the bus stop, walk about 400 meters, which takes about 6 minutes.
The photo above is one of the entrance to Kenninji Temple.
Highlights of Kenninji Temple
Kennin-ji Temple is so quiet that you can’t believe it’s next to Gion, which is crowded with tourists from all over the world.
This is the entrance to the main hall where you can admire the paintings and Zen garden.
Kenninji Temple has three gardens with different tastes, each of which is unique. The photo above is a garden called “Daioen” that was created in 1940. Many people were sitting on the veranda and taking a rest while looking at the scenery.
It is said that the white sand is used to depict raindrops falling on the tallest main stone in the garden, forming a river, then the ocean, and finally turning into a whirlpool.
The photo above is a garden called “MarusanKakushiku-no-niwa”. “Marusankakushiku” in Japanese means circles, triangles, and quadrilaterals.
This is a garden called “Choontei”. The garden is surrounded by corridors, and is designed so that the north, south, east, and west all face the front. It had a calm atmosphere, and many people were sitting here relaxing on the chairs.
It might be fun to walk around the hallway and find the scenery that you think is the most beautiful.
In addition to the garden, there are a lot of art inside the temple that looked like a museum.
This is a beautiful painting of cherry blossoms.
The lotus patterns lined up on the sliding doors are beautiful.
The drawing of the dragon sliding door is also wonderful.
The photo above is the representative work of Kenninji Temple is the Wind God and Thunder God (“Fujin Raijin-zu”), which is famous in Japan. Fujin is the god of wind, and Raijin is the god of thunder. In particular, the god of wind is said to have been interpreted in ancient India as a god who bestows good fortune on all living things, and therefore a god who bestows prosperity on descendants.
The paintings of mountains and flowers were wonderful, and I was able to enjoy in a quiet atmosphere, which was relaxing.
If you follow the route, you will see an ink painting of a dragon on the ceiling of the hall of worship. When I actually saw it, I was overwhelmed by its size and power.
Information of Kenninji Temple
Web Site Official web site (Japanese only)Opening hours 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Phone number +81-75-561-6363
Please check the official website for the latest information. Nearby tourist spots include Yasaka Koshindo Temple, Ninenzaka & Sanneizaka Path, Yasaka Shrine, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. If you’re interested, please check out the articles below.
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