Nanzen-ji

Nanzen-ji is a large Zen Buddhist temple complex at the foot of Kyoto’s Higashiyama mountains. Its broad grounds bring together temple buildings, gardens and the brick Suirokaku aqueduct, built in the Meiji era to carry water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. Look for the imposing Sanmon gate and take time to walk among the gardens and subtemples. The grounds feel especially quiet early in the day; cherry blossoms in spring and red maple leaves in autumn add seasonal color.

From imperial villa to Zen temple

Nanzen-ji began as a retirement villa built by Emperor Kameyama in the mid-13th century. In 1291, the site became a Zen temple. It later became the head temple of a school within the Rinzai sect of Japanese Zen Buddhism.

The complex includes several subtemples as well as its main temple grounds. Its scale means a visit can be a walk through distinct areas, rather than a single stop at one building. Gardens and wooden structures sit within broad grounds at the base of the Higashiyama mountains.

The Sanmon gate and Suirokaku aqueduct

The Sanmon is Nanzen-ji’s large wooden gate. Visitors can enter the main temple building and climb stairs to a balcony, though access to interior areas may require a fee and shoes must be removed inside.

A different landmark is the Suirokaku, a red-brick arched aqueduct from the Meiji era. It carried water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. Its brick arches stand among the temple grounds and offer a striking contrast with the traditional wooden architecture.