Self Guided walking tour of Kennin-ji Temple
📍 Location: Southern end of Hanamikoji Street
🕰️ Best Time to Visit: Midday for a peaceful atmosphere
1. Entrance & Sanmon Gate (三門)
The massive Sanmon Gate, a hallmark of Zen temples, welcomes visitors.
Built in 1202, Kennin-ji is Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple, founded by Eisai, the monk who introduced Zen Buddhism and tea culture to Japan.
📖 Did You Know? The tea ceremony tradition in Japan has roots at Kennin-ji, as Eisai brought tea seeds from China.
2. Twin Dragons Ceiling Painting (双龍図)
Inside the Hatto (Dharma Hall), visitors can see the Twin Dragons ceiling painting.
Painted in 2002 by artist Koizumi Junsaku, the artwork celebrates the temple’s 800th anniversary.
The dragons symbolize protection of Buddhist teachings.
📖 Did You Know? This massive ink painting spans 108 tatami mats in size!
3. Zen Gardens (枯山水庭園)
The temple has three rock gardens, each designed to enhance meditation.
The Chouontei Garden (潮音庭) features carefully placed stones and moss, representing a serene landscape.
These gardens embody wabi-sabi, the Japanese aesthetic of imperfection and simplicity.
📖 Tip: Try sitting quietly by the gardens to experience zazen (Zen meditation).
4. Hojo Hall (方丈)
The Hojo Hall was the former living quarters of the head priest.
Inside, visitors can see classic fusuma (sliding door) paintings depicting tigers and nature scenes.
The art showcases sumi-e (ink painting) techniques, a key aspect of Zen aesthetics.
📖 Did You Know? Some fusuma paintings were made by Kaiho Yusho, a renowned Edo-period artist.
End of Kennin-ji Temple Tour 🎌
After exploring the temple, visitors can return to Hanamikoji Street or walk to nearby Shirakawa Area.
Kennin-ji offers a perfect blend of art, history, and Zen philosophy, making it a must-visit.
📖 Tip: If you visit in spring, the cherry blossoms in the temple grounds are breathtaking.