Tenryuji Temple, located in the scenic location of Arashiyama, Kyoto, is famous for its beautiful gardens and ceiling paintings. Registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994, it is popular with tourists from not only Japan but from all over the globe. We introduce thoroughly the history and the highlights of Tenryu-ji Temple!
About Tenryu-ji Temple Kyoto
ASHIKAGA Takauji, the first Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, built Tenryu-ji in Ryaku-ou Year 2 (1339) in order to pray for the rest of the soul of Emperor Godai. During the Muromachi period, It was ranked first of the Kyoto Gozan Temples. It was hit by a great fire, and most of the existing buildings were rebuilt during the Meiji and Taisho eras, but the Sogenchi Garden is said to have remained the same as it was built about 700 years ago. On the ceiling of the Lecture Hall there is a "Unryu-zu" (painting of a dragon on clouds) by the famous Japanese painter KAYAMA Matazo.
About Tenryu-ji Temple Garden, the Sogenchi Teien
The Tenryu-ji Garden, officially called the Sogenchi Garden, is Japan’s first designated historical and scenic location. White ponds and waterfalls sit beautifully along the garden path with the magnificent nature of Arashiyama and Kameyama in the background. The highlight is Ryumon Waterfall, which has two huge rocks in front of the center of the Sogenchi Pond. It follows China's "Toryumon" legend in which only a carp that can swim up the falls of the Yellow River can become a dragon.
Tenryu-ji Temple to Bamboo Groves
The north gate leads to a popular spot in the Sagano area, the bamboo forest path. It is one of the representative views of Kyoto and is covered with green bamboo, which grows up to 5-10 meters high, and is a distance of about 400 meters. The grove becomes a bright fresh green during the May-June season and you can hear the rustling of the bamboo every time the wind blows.
Tenryu-ji Temple Hours and Admission Information
Visiting hours are from 8:30 to 17:30 (North gate is open from 9:00 to 17:00), and from 8:30 to 17:00 between October 21st and March 20th (North gate is open from 9:00 to 16:30)
The admission fee is 500 yen for the gardens (Sougenchi and Hyakkaen), and 300 yen for the various halls (separate from the garden fee. Some visiting days are suspended during events.) It is an extra 500 yen fee to view the Unryuzu ceiling painting (separate from the garden fee), and is only available for viewing Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays only. Hours are from 9:00 to 17:00 (October 21-March 20 is until 16:00), and there is a period in the spring and autumn seasons when it is open daily.
Access from Kyoto Station to Tenryu-ji Temple
It is most convenient to use the JR Sagano Line, which links Kyoto Station with Saga-Arashiyama Station. Take the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station. From there it is 13 minutes on foot
Spot information
Spot name: Tenryu-ji Temple
- Address: 68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto 616-8385
- Access: Close to the Keifuku Electric Railway Arashiyama Line Arashiyama Station, about 13 minutes on foot from JR Sagano Line Saga-Arashiyama Station, about 15 minutes on foot from Hankyu Arashiyama Station.
Comments