Tenryuji Temple (天龍寺) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan. It is considered one of the most important Zen temples in Japan and is known for its stunning gardens and historical significance.
The temple was founded in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji, in honor of Emperor Go-Daigo. It was originally built as a private villa for the shogun, but was later converted into a Zen temple. Over the centuries, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, but the current buildings date back to the early 20th century.
One of the highlights of Tenryuji Temple is its beautiful gardens, which are considered among the finest examples of Japanese landscape design. The gardens were designed by the famous landscape architect Muso Soseki, and feature a large pond surrounded by walking paths, bridges, and a variety of trees, plants, and flowers.
The temple also houses several important cultural treasures, including statues, paintings, and calligraphy scrolls, many of which are designated as National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.
Getting there
From Kyoto Station to Tenryuji Temple:
| Train | Kyoto Station ↓ Sanin Line (Kameoka) ↓ 17 minutes (7 stops) Saga-Arashiyama Station ↓ Walk about 7 minutes ↓ Tenryuji Temple (Cost 240 yen) |
Details
| Hours | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM Reception closes at 4:50 PM. |
| Admission | High school students and above: 500 yen Elementary school and junior high school students: 300 yen |
| Phone | +81 75-881-1235 |
| Address | 〒616-8385 Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, ６８ |
| Official Website | https://www.tenryuji.com/en/ |
