Sanjusangendo

Temple

Prefecture

Kyoto

Type

Temple

N/A

1 review

¥600

Entry Fee

Train Access

About This Destination

120-meter-long hall with 1,001 life-size gilded Kannon statues standing in rows. Hard to process that many Buddhas at once.

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.

Location

Prefecture: Kyoto

Address: Kyoto, Japan

Nearest Station: Shichijo Station

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: No dining facilities on the temple grounds. Restaurants and cafes are available near Kyoto Station, a short walk away.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to see Sanjusangendo?

30–45 minutes is typical. The visit is straightforward: you walk barefoot along the 120-meter wooden corridor viewing the 1,001 gilded Kannon statues from a few metres away. Photography is not allowed inside the hall. Some visitors spend longer studying individual faces — temple lore says you can find one that resembles someone you've lost.

Is Sanjusangendo near Kyoto Station?

Yes, very convenient. 15-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride (buses 100, 206, or 208, 230 yen flat fare) from Kyoto Station. You can also take the Keihan Line to Shichijo Station (7-minute walk). Often combined with the Kyoto National Museum directly across the street, and a 15-minute Keihan ride continues to Fushimi Inari.

Are the 1,001 statues all identical?

No — each face is unique. The statues were carved by around 70 sculptors over several decades; while they share the same iconography (1,000 arms representing infinite compassion), subtle differences in expression make each one individual. The central seated Senju Kannon by Tankei (1254) and the 28 guardian deity figures (including the iconic Wind God and Thunder God statues) are designated National Treasures.

What's the entry fee and the best time to visit?

Adult admission is 600 yen (university/high school 400, junior/elementary 300). Open 8:30 AM–5:00 PM (4:00 PM in winter). Right at the 8:30 AM opening offers the most peaceful viewing — many visitors come at midday and the hall fills up. Mid-January's Toshiya archery festival is photogenic but extremely crowded. Photography is forbidden inside, so plan to focus on the experience rather than your camera.