Kenninji Temple

The oldest Zen temple, Kenninji

Kenninji

Kenninji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, founded in 1202 by Yousai, the guy who brought Zen and the concept of drinking tea to Japan. He’s recognized as the monk who started the tea ceremony.

Looking around the temple grounds is free, but the best parts of this temple lie inside the temple buildings and gardens.

Kenninji Gardens

Kenninji's stone gardens

Inside, you can enjoy the beautiful stone gardens, as well as some paintings on some of the walls. The white sand with wavy lines represents water, so this is basically a representation of an ocean with several islands.

Chouontei Garden

Further inside, you’ll find the Chouontei Garden, a beautifully simple inner garden. Its name means “the garden of the tide’s sound.” The three stones in the center represent Buddha and two Zen monks. There’s also a stone for meditation, called “zazen-seki.” Quite a nice Instagram shot right there.

Green garden

The Twin Dragons of Hattou

Continue on the path to the next building over, and you’ll enter Hattou (Dharma Hall). Look up, and you’ll see the twin dragons, a massive piece of artwork on the ceiling. Koizumi Junsaku painted the piece, and it took him about two years to complete.

This marks the finale when visiting Kenninji temple. Hopefully, by this time, you’ll have relaxed by the stone gardens and read up on some Zen, so that you’re refreshed and ready to visit your next spot in Kyoto!

Kenninji Temple

Hours: 10am – 5pm Daily
Address: 584 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0811
Price: Adult 500 yen, Middle school 300 yen, Elementary school 200 yen
Website: http://www.chisan.or.jp/

More Temples in Kyoto

Kenninji

Kenninji Temple

Kenninji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, founded in 1202 by Yousai, the guy…
Chishakuin entrance

Chishakuin Temple

Chishakuin is the headquarters of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism. It’s a large, peaceful…
Sanjusangendo bodhisattvas

Sanjusangendo Temple

Kyoto’s Sanjusangendo Temple houses a thousand almost life-sized Kannon bodhisattvas in a single massive hall….

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *