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most visited sights
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19
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of 46 sights in Kyoto
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| basic
information |
Nanzenji is a Zen temple at the foot of Kyoto's eastern hills. As head temple of the Rinzai sect's Nanzenji school of Zen Buddhism, it is one of Japan's most important Zen temples.
Nanzenji was first built as an imperial villa in 1264, and became a temple in 1291. Its main building, the Seiryo-den, is famous for a beautiful rock garden and sliding doors (fusuma), which are decorated by paintings of the Kano School.
The temple's large entrance gate, completed in 1628, is called Sanmon. Several subtemples and a water aqueduct, which is part of the Lake Biwa Canal dating from 1890, can be found in the vicinity of Nanzenji's main buildings.
Among the subtemples open to the public are Nanzenin, directly behind the water aqueduct, whose small but pretty garden is particularly spectacular with autumn leaves (usually best in the second half of November), and the scarcely visited Konchiin, standing southwest of the Sanmon gate.
Garden of Nanzenin
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Konchiin
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Any advice or questions? Voice them in the forum!
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| how
to get there |
Nanzenji can be reached by bus number 5 from Kyoto Station. Alternatively, take the subway Tozai Line to Keage Station (transfer from Karasuma Line at Karasuma Oike Station) from where the temple can be reached in a 10 minute walk.
Nanzenji is also a good starting or end point for a walk along the Path of Philosophy to/from Ginkakuji.
How to get to and around Kyoto
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| hours
and fees |
| Hours: | 8:40 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from December through February) | | Closed: | December 28 to 31 | | Admission: | 500 yen (Nanzenji), 500 yen (Sanmon), 300 yen (Nanzenin) |
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| news
and reports |
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| travel
community |
Popularity of Nanzenji Temple:
Users who have been to Kyoto: 1925
Users who have been to Nanzenji Temple: 269 19th of 46 most visited sights in Kyoto. 79th of 554 most visited sights nationwide.
Ratings for Nanzenji Temple:
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japan-guide.com Rating:
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outstanding
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User Rating (by 153 users):
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81/100
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recommended
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| hotels
& ryokan |
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Gion Hatanaka
A real Japanese inn in a quiet area of Gion, famous for Geisha. 15min walk to Kiyomizu-dera. 5min to Yasaka-jinja.
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Backpackers Hostel K's House Kyoto
Voted No.1 hostel in Asia by Hostelworld customers. 9 mins walk from JR Kyoto station Bed from 2,500 yen.
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| tours
and packages |
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Kyoto Tours
Various tours and travel packages for Kyoto and surroundings.
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| english
links |
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| japanese
links |
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