- Address: Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8435, Japan
- Contact phone: +81 75-771-0365
- Website: nanzen.net
- Opening: 1291
- Confession: Zen Buddhism
- Opening hours: 8: 40-17: 00 (from December to February - until 16:30)
- Entry fee: $ 4
In Kyoto you can visit the most ancient Buddhist temple of unique beauty, executed according to all traditions of oriental architecture. This is Nandzen-ji - let's find out what it's interesting!
Location:
The Nandzen-ji Temple is located in one of the busiest areas of the former Japanese capital - in Higashiyama.
History of the temple
Nandzen-ji conducts its chronicle history from the XIII century. The modern territory of Higashiyama is a very beautiful and so picturesque place that even Emperor Kameyama, once ruling the Land of the Rising Sun, decided to build his palace here. On its territory, he built a Zen temple, now the focus of the Buddhist religion of Kyoto's entire metropolis.
Many buildings of the vast complex of Nandzen-ji were destroyed in civil wars, and those that survived destroyed time. The most important at different times have been restored, and today tourists can see the most interesting buildings in excellent condition.
What is interesting temple Nandzen-ji?
To better understand the history of the site before visiting it, read some entertaining facts:
- In total there are about 1600 temples of Buddhism in Kyoto, but only 5 of them are recognized as the largest and greatest. Nandzen-ji is one of the five, making it an important center for Buddhist pilgrimage and simply curious travelers. Moreover, since 1386 this shrine is the main temple of this religious direction (the Rinzai school).
- In the Middle Ages, one of the abbots of the temple was a Chinese by birth, Yishan Inin. He glorified this place by the fact that it was from the main zen-Buddhist temple of Kyoto that the distribution of bungaku began - the literary current popular at that time in Japan .
- Interesting is the fact that in 1937 a real battle took place on the territory of the temple - between the parishioners Sankiti Sankata and Yoshio Kimura. They competed in shogi - a game like chess, which in Japan is also called the "game of generals." The second player won, and the game lasted a whole week and was called "The Battle of Nandzen-ji".
What to see in Nandzen-ji?
The main shrines of the temple are the following buildings:
- Gate Sanmon - they were built in honor of the soldiers who died in 1615 in the battle of Osaka . Tourists really like the opportunity to climb the gates and appreciate the beauty of the surrounding shrine of landscapes. It is especially good here in autumn, when the foliage of fading trees turns yellow.
- Garden of Hojo stones - many of them resemble water-crossing tigers (at least that's what the Japanese think). The garden is located near the main hall of the Nandzen-ji temple building. Attention of visitors attracts realistic painting depicting tigers on a gold leaf. It can be seen on the doors of the Fusum leading into the main hall of Hojo.
- The tea room is located here and is only available as part of the exposition. From the window you can see a miniature waterfall.
- The brick aqueduct is located near the entrance to the temple. It was built during the Meiji period and was remarkably well preserved.
- Mausoleum of Emperor Kameyama , the founder of the temple complex.
- Conti-in is one of the secondary temples of the complex, open to tourists. Here you can see an elegant painting, as well as the sanctuary Tososh and a tea house.
- The temple of Tengjuan is known for its garden around the pond with unusual illumination. To contemplate its beauties here it is recommended to come on autumn evenings.
Features of visit
The cost of entering the temple is $ 4. You can come here as an excursion from 8:40 am to 5:00 pm (in winter the temple closes half an hour earlier). If you just want to walk around the territory of a picturesque garden, broken around, then keep in mind that no one will take money from you for this.
How to get there?
To visit the Nanjing-ji Temple, you need to take the metro to Kaage Station and then walk it for about 10 minutes.
Moving on the car, be guided by GPS coordinates: 35.011377, 135.793770.