Sanjusangendo

Sanjusangendo, officially named Rengeo-in, is one of Kyoto's most awe-inspiring temples, built in 1164 and rebuilt in 1266 after a fire. The name refers to the 33 bays between the pillars of the extraordinarily long wooden hall, which stretches approximately 120 meters. Inside, 1,001 gilded statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon stand in rows flanking a central seated Kannon carved by the master sculptor Tankei. The hall also contains 28 guardian deity statues and figures of the wind and thunder gods. The temple is famous for the annual Toshiya archery contest held each January, a tradition dating back to the Edo period.