Tenryu-Ji Temple in Sagano, Kyoto
Tenryu-ji is in the middle of Sagano/Arashiyama where is one of the most popular area among visitors to Kyoto. The Zen Buddhist temple has an excellent Chisen-Kaiyu-Shiki (pond-stroll) garden that was laid out by a garden designer of genius, Muso Soseki (Muso Kokushi, or the Most Reverend Priest Muso, 1275-1351). Sogen-chi pond and Ishigumi (arranged rocks) in the garden are very much worth to see.
The buildings are relatively new. The oldest is O-Hojo that was built in the year 1899.
Tenryu-ji is the head temple of the Tenryu-ji branch of Rinzai Zen sect and a member of World Cultural Heritages of Kyoto.
History
In the year 1339, Priest Muso Soseki made a proposal to the first Muromachi Shogun, Ashikaga Takauji and his brother Tadayoshi about establishing a temple for the late emperor Go-Daigo, who had initially coordinated with the samurai brothers to overthrow the Kamakura Shogunate and then changed to be the deadly enemy of them. They agreed with the priest but the newly-established Shogunate government did not have enough money so that they had to start trade with China to make funds for building the temple.
In the year 1345, the Zen temple was officially founded with Muso Soseki being the founder. The buildings of the temple suffered fires several times during its history. The present O-Hojo building was rebuilt in 1899 followed by other buildings.
How to get to Tenryu-ji
- 13 to 19 minutes from Kyoto station to Saga-Arashiyama station on JR railway San'in Honsen line. Then 10 minutes on foot.
- 45 minutes from Kyoto station to Arashiyama-Tenryu-ji-mae on Kyoto City Bus No. 28 and 1 minute on foot.
- 15 minutes on foot from Arashiyama station of Hankyu Railway Arashiyama Line.
- 3 minutes on foot from Arashiyama station of Keifuku Railway Arashiyama Line.
Hours and Admission
April to October: 8:30-17:30. The entrance gate will be closed at 17:00.
November to March 8:30-17:00. The entrance gate will be closed at 16:30.
All except those listed below: 500 yen
Schoolchildren and Junior High School Students (1st to 9th graders):
300 yen
Children under school age: free
Additional 100 yen is required to enter Buildings.
Photos / Pictures
Click on a photo for a larger image.
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| Sogen-chi pond and a Chisen-kaiyu-shiki (pond-stroll) garden. The garden
was designed by Muso Soseki. Please note that three photos are merged into
this one so that the perspective is quite different from the actual view. November 28, 2008 |
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| Somon, the front gate of Tenryu-ji. February 16, 2008 |
Chumon, the middle gate. November 28, 2008 |
A stone bridge over Hojo-chi pond. February 16, 2008 |
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| The belfry of Tenryu-ji. November 28, 2008 |
Karesansui, or Dry Landscape garden of Tenryu-ji. November 28, 2008 |
O-Hojo building and Karesansui garden. November 28, 2008 |
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| The garden with Autumn colors looked from a tatami room of O-Hojo. November 28, 2008 |
The snowy garden of Tenryu-ji seen from a tatami room of O-Hojo. February 16, 2008 |
Sogen-chi pond and O-Hojo. Arashiyama is used as shakkei (borrowed scenery) object. November 28, 2008 |
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| Close-up view of the peninsula of Sogen-chi pond. November 28, 2008 |
Left side of Sogen-chi pond November 28, 2008 |
In the far left of the Sogen-chi pond is a stone bridge. November 28, 2008 |
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| In the middle of the opposite bank of Sogen-chi is a waterfall. November 28, 2008 |
A close-up view of Ishigumi (arranged stones) that represent a waterfall.
In front of the dry waterfall are three stone bridges. November 28, 2008 |
A group of stone arranged in the pond. These stones are set beside the
waterfall. November 28, 2008 |
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| Right hand side of Sogen-chi pond. November 28, 2008 |
An Islet. November 28, 2008 |
A stone bridge to an islet in Sogenchi pond. February 16, 2008 |
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| Picture of Daruma (Bodhidharma), a Chinese Zen master, in a room of Ko-Hojo (Shoin). February 16, 2008 |
A roofed passage that connects Ko-Hojo (Shoin) and Taho-den buildings. February 16, 2008 |
Inside of Taho-den building. November 28, 2008 |
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| The figure of Emperor Go-Daigo that is enshrined in Taho-den building. November 28, 2008 |
Colored leaves on a hill beyond Taho-den. November 28, 2008 |
Stepping stones. November 28, 2008 |