Tenryuji Temple

What to know

Tenryuji (天龍寺) is the most significant temple in Kyoto's Arashiyama district. It was ranked first among the city's five great Zen temples and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tenryuji serves as the head temple of its own school within the Rinzai Zen sect of Japanese Buddhism.

The temple was founded in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji, who dedicated it to Emperor Go-Daigo after his death. The two were once allies until Takauji turned against the emperor in a power struggle. By building Tenryuji, Takauji sought to appease the former emperor's spirit.

Over the centuries, Tenryuji's buildings were repeatedly destroyed by fires and wars. Most of the current structures, including the main hall (Hojo), drawing hall (Shoin), and temple kitchen (Kuri) with its distinctive small tower, date from the Meiji Period (1868-1912).

Unlike the buildings, Tenryuji's garden has survived in its original form. Designed by the renowned garden designer Muso Soseki, who also created the gardens of Kokedera and other important temples, the beautiful landscape garden features a central pond surrounded by rocks, pine trees, and the forested Arashiyama mountains. Muso Soseki also served as Tenryuji's first head priest.

Tenryuji is just a short walk from Keifuku Arashiyama Station, which is connected by the small Keifuku trains (also called Randen) to the Ryoanji/Kinkakuji area and Omiya Station along Shijo-dori Street. The temple can also be reached in a 5-10 minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station (10-15 minutes, 240 yen one way from Kyoto Station).