Culture
Culture
¥500
30-60m
THIS TEMPLE IS UNDER RECONSTRUCTION UNTIL 2025!
Unless visiting this temple was your childhood dream for years, I do not recommend coming here. Honestly, I think the scaffolding ruins half of the view, and your visit will be accompanied by the constant sound of hammers and drills.
This one is a Tendai Buddhist temple and one of the Monzeki temples of Japan, whose chief priest was traditionally from the imperial family.
It is famous for its beautiful garden, which is a carefully designed space full of symbolism. The ponds, rocks, and trees are arranged in a way that is meant to create a sense of peace and tranquility. The garden is also home to a number of rare and beautiful plants, including a 1,200-year-old pine tree.
In addition to the garden, Shoren-in Temple also has a number of other buildings, including a main hall, a lecture hall, and a teahouse. The main hall is the most important building in the temple, and it is where the monks would gather to meditate and study. The lecture hall is where the monks would give lectures on Zen Buddhism.
If you are looking for a beautiful and serene place to visit in Kyoto, Shoren-in Temple is a great option. It is a lesser-known temple, so it is not as crowded as some of the other temples in the area.
Want to see more?
I have created curated maps and itineraries for travellers that want to travel like me.