Kennin-ji Temple (建仁寺) is a historic Buddhist temple located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan. It was founded in 1202 and is one of the oldest Zen temples in Kyoto.
The temple complex includes several buildings, including the main hall, the meditation hall, and the Dharma hall. The main hall houses a statue of the temple’s main deity, Fudo Myoo, while the meditation hall is used for Zen meditation practice. The Dharma hall is used for lectures and other Buddhist ceremonies.
One of the most famous features of Kennin-ji Temple is its painted ceiling in the Dharma hall, which features a beautiful dragon design. This mural was commissioned in 2002 by the famous Japanese artist Koizumi Junsaku to commemorate the temple’s 800th anniversary. The temple also has several beautiful gardens, including the main garden, which was designed by the famous Japanese landscape architect, Kobori Enshu.
Getting there
From Kyoto Station to Kenninji Temple:
| Bus | Kyoto Station ↓ Bus number 206 ↓ 12 minutes (8 stops) Kawaramachi Matsubara Kawaramachi Matsubara Bus stop ↓ Walk about 3 minutes ↓ Kenninji Temple (Cost 230 yen) |
| Walk | About 30-40 minutes (2.3 km) |
| Taxi | About 10 minutes (Cost about 1,200 yen) |
Details
| Hours | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Admission | Adults: 600 yen Junior high school and high school students: 300 yen Elementary school students: 200 yen |
| Phone | +81 75-561-6363 |
| Address | 584 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0811, Japan |
| Official Website | https://www.kenninji.jp/ |
