Kennin-ji

🛕 Temple

Part of Gion

📍

Prefecture

Kyoto

🛕

Type

Temple

⭐

N/A

1 review

🎟️

¥600

Entry Fee

🚃 Train Access

About This Destination

Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. Founded 1202 by Eisai, who brought Zen and tea to Japan. Twin Dragons ceiling painting, Fujin-Raijin screen (reproduction; originals in Kyoto National Museum).

Founded 1202 by the monk Eisai, who brought Zen Buddhism and tea cultivation from China—making this the birthplace of Japanese tea culture. Located in the middle of Gion but quiet inside. The Dharma Hall ceiling has a Twin Dragons painting by Koizumi Junsaku, 11.4 × 15.7 meters, completed 2002 for the 800th anniversary. The temple displays reproductions of Tawaraya Sotatsu's Fujin-Raijin (Wind and Thunder Gods) screen; originals are in Kyoto National Museum. Several Zen gardens including the minimalist Circle-Triangle-Square garden. Public zazen sessions regularly.

Location

Prefecture: Kyoto

Address: 584 Komatsu-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0811

Nearest Station: Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line)

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: No dining inside the temple. The surrounding Gion district offers an enormous selection of restaurants, from traditional kaiseki and teahouses to casual izakayas along Hanamikoji-dori.

Official Website