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Tenryu-ji a sprawling Zen temple with wonderful mountain views is one of the Kyoto's Unesco World Heritage Sites as well as the most important temple in Arashiyama district. 

Tenryu-ji is the head temple of the Tenryu branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, and also ranked number one among Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples. 

The temple was established in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji in memory of Emperor Go-Daigo, who died following the civil war that brought the Ashikaga family to power.

Tenryu-ji Temple - Main Hall & Sogen Pond

You can start by exploring the main hall and observing the pond, and then explore the garden on foot. 

The garden, created by Muso Soseki who also designed the garden of Kokedera, features a circular promenade around Sogen Pond. It is designated as one of the Special Places of Scenic Beauty of Japan. Muso Soseki also served as Tenryuji's first head priest. 

Generally, Zen temple grounds are designed so that they face the south, with major buildings aligned along the north-south axis. 

Tenryu-ji Temple & Gardens

Tenryu-ji's layout is an exception to this principle. Sub-temples line both sides of the path, which leads to the lecture hall. 

There are numerous buildings behind the lecture hall, such as Ohojo, the kohojo, the kitchen, the meditation hall, and Taho-den hall, however, each of these is modern reconstruction.

Tenryu-ji's buildings were repeatedly lost in fires and wars over the centuries, and most of the current halls date from the relatively recent Meiji Period.

Arashiyama’s Bamboo Forest

​After your walk, make your way slowly uphill and head out the back way and through the Arashiyama’s splendid Bamboo Forest to reach the Okochi Sanso Villa. It is an impressive mountain retreat, previously occupied by Japanese silent screen legend Okochi Denjiro.

The grounds have something beautiful to offer each season but are probably at their best during autumn, when the trees explode into fiery shades of red and gold and of course the fine views of the city below. There is a small museum on the grounds dedicated to the former owner's life and work. Entrance is 1000 yen. Hold on to the ticket; the admission includes a cup of Matcha "Green Tea" and a small dessert in the villa's tea-house.

Okochi Sanso Villa

Access

Train - From Kyoto Station take JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station "takes about 12 minutes". The temple is 10 minutes’ walk from the station.


Bus - Take Kyoto City bus 11, 28 or 93 from Kyoto Station to Arashiyama-Tenryuji-mae Station "takes about 40 minutes". The temple is 5 minutes’ walk from the station.

Tenryu-ji Temple's Garden

Tenryuji Temple - Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture