Nanzen-ji in Kyoto

Description Street view Reviews Similar places Accomodation Map

Description

Nanzen-ji , or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly Zenrin-ji (禅林寺, Zenrin-ji?), is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Emperor Kameyama established it in 1291 on the site of his previous detached palace. It is also the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen. The precincts of Nanzen-ji are a nationally designated Historic Site and the Hōjō gardens a Place of Scenic Beauty.

History

Nanzen-ji was founded in the middle Kamakura period (1291, or Shōō 4 in the Japanese era system). It was destroyed by fire in 1393, 1447, and 1467, rebuilt in 1597, and expanded in the Edo era. A large complex, it has varied over time between nine and twelve sub-temples.

Zenkei Shibayama, who provided a popular commentary on the Mumonkan, was an abbot of the monastery.

Significance in Zen Buddhism

Nanzen-ji is not itself considered one of the "five great Zen temples of Kyoto"; however, it does play an important role in the "Five Mountain System" which was modified from Chinese roots. Tenryū-ji (天龍寺, Tenryū-ji?) is considered to be one of the so-called Kyoto Gozan (京都五山, Kyōto gozan?) or "five great Zen temples of Kyoto", along with Shōkoku-ji (相国寺, Shōkoku-ji?), Kennin-ji (建仁寺, Kennin-ji?), Tōfuku-ji (東福寺, Tōfuku-ji?), and Manju-ji (満寿寺, Manju-ji?). The head temple presiding over the Gozan in Kyoto is Nanzen-ji. After the completion of Shōkoku-ji by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1386, a new ranking system was created with Nanzen-ji at the top and in a class of its own. Nanzen-ji had the title of "First Temple of The Land" and played a supervising role.

Nanzen-ji Kyoto Kamakura First Rank Tenryū-ji Kenchō-ji Second Rank Shōkoku-ji Engaku-ji Third Rank Kennin-ji Jufuku-ji Fourth Rank Tōfuku-ji Jōchi-ji Fifth Rank Manju-ji Jōmyō-ji

Notable structures

Sanmon

The temple's Sanmon gate was originally constructed in the 13th century, destroyed in 1369 at the order of the government, and reconstructed in 1628. The gate contains stairs to an elevated viewing area, which was the setting for a famous scene in a 1778 Kabuki play inspired by the story of a criminal called Ishikawa Goemon who is said to have spoken of the beauty of the view (but who was executed prior to the construction of the current gate).

Hōjō

The hōjō (abbot's quarters) of Nanzen-ji is notable both for its gardens and its art.

The garden of the hōjō is considered one of the most significant examples of karesansui gardens, and was built in the 1600s by Kobori Enshu. The garden mirrors natural forms, and is seventy percent gravel. It has been designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty.

The hōjō itself, also known as the Seiryo-den, was given to the temple by the Emperor Go-Yōzei. It contains a variety of important screen paintings on gold backgrounds, including two of tigers by Kanō Tan'yū. It has been designated a National Treasure.

The Hōjō The Hōjō garden Crane paintings from inside the Hōjō

Street view

Reviews

12.10.2021 Pepe
A site of temples accessible to all, without a large flight of steps or efforts special. In the days of good weather it is worth to explore at the bottom of the gardens, neatly manicured according to the dictates of zen. Photos allowed only in the exterior; the rooms, which are visible, are painted on the walls with motifs typical of the japanese
12.10.2021 Raquel
One of the most important temples of Japan, and zen temple is most relevant. Essential. Kyoto. You'll be able to. Go to the templp oku-no-in at the mountains from this point. A treasure forgotten
To get here, you will spend after one of the three doors mass larger than the earth. The first is of the great chion-in. You can continue your route by the way of philosophers from here.
12.10.2021 wipiwipi
Paid is most properly not exactly speaking to you or the Kyoto Tower on the top right of the traveling course just going to the place. My name of your mood and there, near ready for that great Kyoto cuisine collection.
There is Kyoto, the right to travel with the recommendation.^^
11.10.2021 Iwasa
Nanzen-ji was established in 1291 by Emperor Kameyama in the middle Heian period. It was formerly called Zenrin-ji 禅林寺 which is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto. The precincts of Nanzen-ji are a nationally designated Historic Site as well as its Hōjō gardens for their scenic beauty.
11.10.2021 Katt
1291 Year built in. Kyoto Gozan exceptional
Japanese Zen Temple is the highest rating.

Huge three categories of takatora todo, donation
Kyoto's three major business １ one

The war of onin, the city of War The Fires of war.
Ruined as the Edo period
Entry 1605 year of Tokugawa Ieyasu's inner circle
A black Prime Minister, center of veneration of tradition and into the temple,
From re-emerging.

Kobori enshu, the garden is also essential.

Way back in the precincts of the corner of the street
Lake Biwa Canal is a waterway Cabinet from the narrow road to the
Through kick on the Via
Hydrophobic Memorial Museum, if hydrophobic through the
Also be

Name Temple worthy No of the Meiji era
Industrial architecture, but hydrophobic driving force
Nanzenji luxury residence of the city development
. Nanzen-JI Temple neighborhood, modern
Culture is a valuable heritage of
?︎ Free neighborhood Parking available
07.07.2018 Cadee
Absolutely loved visiting this place, it's a must see in Kyoto. There are really wonderful temples and gardens and everything is so peaceful here. Visit a couple of the paid gardens and temples if you have time because it's absolutely worth it. It's very nice to just walk around and be in touch with nature.
05.07.2018 Zoe
Wow this is the most Zen place I have ever been. I didn’t get chance to see many temples in Kyoto it was a short visit but a local recommended this place so I made it a priority. I don’t have anything to compare it to. Firstly I went up to the top of the large gate - amazing! It was very quiet and I must have sat there for an hour resting meditating soaking up the Zen-ness. Many more temples and gardens to see - the downside was you had to pay to get in everyone - I ran out of money :)
31.05.2018 Mervyn
The temple in itself is well worth a visit, however the true “gem” is a location approximately 200m fro the temple where several aged ARCHES are found with a small waterfall- a truly serene Zen like area ideal for perhaps quiet contemplation or just simple relaxation. It’s cool in temperature n very green there. Well recommended for a deserved rest before exploring further if one feels inclined to do so ?
22.05.2018 Kah
Zen Buddhism, a practical experience, a way of life in simplicity and balance. We are here to pay our respects and well wishes in one of the more important Zen temple of Kyoto.

A saying goes by a moment of prayer in 南禅寺 worthy of a year of well wishing. Aside from being off-the-tourist radar, the temple full of presence in calm and tranquility. Never been feeling so spiritually and mentally connected to the force of Zen.
13.05.2018 Emilian
This is among the most incredible and scenic of temples in Kyoto. It justifiably is on most must-visit lists in Kyoto. It is an absolutely magic and special place. The grounds of the complex are beautiful and if you can come early in the morning before the crowds, you can easily have the whole place to yourself. There are many hiking trails and paths connecting with some of the other temples in the neighborhood, as well as with the hiking trail that goes around Kyoto. This is definitely one of the places to visit in Kyoto!
Share your experiences, help others make the right choice!
Think about what you would like to know if you were looking for a review about a place to relax. Please describe in detail what you liked and what you didn't. What would you advise to other guests and to the hotel owner. The more fully you tell about the hotel, the easier it will be for other people to make a choice and they will be very grateful to you!

Similar places

Map

X