# Sanzen-in

> A Tendai monzeki temple in the Ohara valley, an hour north of the city, where moss gardens hide small carved jizo and a 12th-century hall holds a National Treasure Amida triad.

- Prefecture: Kyoto
- Type: Temple
- Address: Kyoto, Japan
- Admission: 700 yen
- Official site: https://www.sanzenin.or.jp/

Sanzen-in sits at the top of Ohara's stone-walled approach lane, a valley of farmhouses and shiso fields about an hour north of central Kyoto by bus. It is one of the three Tendai monzeki temples, historically headed by a member of the imperial family, and it moved to this site in 1871 after the Meiji Restoration. The building most people come for is Ojo Gokuraku-in, a small hall of the late 12th century that holds a National Treasure Amida triad carved in 1148. The two attendant bodhisattvas kneel rather than stand, which is rare in Japanese Buddhist sculpture and reads as though they are leaning forward to receive someone. Outside, the moss gardens are scattered with warabe-jizo, small child-like stone figures carved by Sugimura Takashi that sit half-swallowed by the moss and are easy to walk straight past. Ohara sees a fraction of the visitors that Arashiyama does, and outside the November foliage weeks you can often hear nothing but water in the garden channels.

## FAQ

### How do I get to Sanzen-in from Kyoto?

Take Kyoto Bus 17 from Kyoto Station to the Ohara stop, about 60 minutes; the same route passes Demachiyanagi, about 35 minutes out. Then walk 10 minutes up the lane of pickle shops. There is no train to Ohara. A subway and bus day pass covers the trip and pays for itself if you also visit Jakko-in on the far side of the valley.

### What does it cost and when is it open?

Adult admission is 700 yen. Open 9:00 to 17:00 for most of the year, 8:45 to 16:45 in November, and 9:00 to 16:30 from December to February. Cash is safest. Allow an hour, or 90 minutes if you sit in the garden.

### Where are the warabe-jizo?

In the moss of the Yusei-en and Ujo-en gardens, below eye level and easy to miss. There are several groups of them, most only knee high, and the moss grows over their shoulders through the summer. Look down and to the sides of the path rather than ahead.

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Source: Sanzen-in — Japan Voyage