Discover Tenryuji Temple in Kyoto’s Picturesque Arashiyama Area

Get to know World Heritage Site Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji Temple was founded in 1339 by shogun (military leader) Ashikaga Takauji. It’s the head temple of the Tenryuji School of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. The site is one of Kyoto’s cultural treasures and it was registered as a Unesco World Cultural Heritage site in 1994. 

Tenryuji Temple has faced eight major fires since its establishment. The original structure from its early days has almost disappeared, and the hall that stands today is a reconstruction.

Tenryuji Temple over time

It’s said that when the temple was initially established, its size covered approximately 300,000 square meters, encompassing both Arashiyama and the Togetsukyo Bridge. A staggering 150 temples were affiliated with Tenryuji Temple, illustrating the large size of its territory.

Even today, it preserves an area of 30,000 square meters and holds the top position among the "Five Mountains of Kyoto," a collective of five Zen Buddhist temples.

Things to do at Tenryuji Temple

The first thing you want to see is unryu-zu, a stunning motif of dragons and clouds painted onto the ceiling of the temple’s main hall, which enshrines the Seated Shakyamuni Buddha Statue, an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Before moving on to the Tahoden Hall, don’t miss the Sogenchi Pond Garden on the west side of the main hall.

Admire the temple’s beautiful Sogenchi Pond Garden

The Sogenchi Pond Garden boasts a 700-year history, and was designated as the first Historic Site of Japan and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. The garden’s design implements a technique known as shakkei, which makes use of the surrounding landscape, incorporating Arashiyama in the background.

The two large rocks standing in the center are the Ryumon Falls, which are named after the Chinese tale of "Longmen." Enjoy the beauty of each season, from cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in fall, to snowscapes in winter.

Participate in a Zazen meditation session for free

Zazen meditation sessions at Tenryuji Temple take place on the second Sunday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Note that there are no classes in February, July, and August. Visitors can participate for free (reservations are not required).

See the fall foliage in October and November

At Tenryuji Temple, the leaves begin to change color in October. The red, orange and yellow hues create a stunning contrast against the remaining green leaves of the surrounding trees. From Bokyo-no-Oka, a hill situated behind Tenryuji Temple, you can admire the fall foliage while overlooking Kyoto.

Sample traditional Buddhist cuisine

After visiting Tenryuji Temple and Arashiyama, sit down for a meal at Shigetsu. This Michelin-certified restaurant specializes in traditional shojin ryori Buddhist cuisine and is directly managed by Tenryuji Temple. 

Shojin ryori Buddhist cuisine is a vegetarian diet that relies on vegetables, wild plants, and seaweed, and typically excludes animal ingredients. There are three set meals to choose from, which vary in the number of side dishes. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tenryuji Temple and Arashiyama while enjoying your meal. We recommend making an online reservation in advance.

Shigetsu 
Address: 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 
Access: Short walk from Tenryuji Temple
Official website: http://www.tenryuji.com/shigetsu/

Tenryuji Temple: Details and access information

Details

Tenryuji Temple
Address: 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 
Official website: https://www.tenryuji.com/en/ 

Access information

Access from JR Kyoto Station :

JR Kyoto station → (JR Sagano Line bound for Kameoka)→ Saga-Arashiyama Station → (13-minute-walk) → Tenryuji Temple (required time: about 30 minutes) 

JR Kyoto station → (5-minute walk) → Kyoto City Bus at Kyoto Station → (Kyoto City Bus Number 28 bound for Daikakuji Temple) → Get off at Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae bus stop → (short walk) → Tenryuji Temple (required time: about 1 hour) 

Access to Arashiyama Station from JR Kyoto Station: 

JR Kyoto station → (JR Sagano Line bound for Kameoka) → Saga-Arashiyama Station → (walk) → Randen-Saga Station → (Keifuku Electric Railway Arashiyama Main Line bound for Arashiyama) → Arashiyama Station → (5-minute walk) → Tenryuji Temple (required time: about 40 minutes)　 

Tenryuji Temple is situated along the way from Togetsukyo Bridge to the Bamboo Forest Path. Both are famous tourist attractions, so make sure to stop by during your visit.  

Use the Kansai Area Pass for convenient access to Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station.

Tenryuji Temple is one of Kyoto’s best sightseeing spots

The historic city of Kyoto is home to the Unesco World Heritage Site Tenryuji Temple, which ranks first among the "Five Mountains of Kyoto," a collective of five Zen Buddhist temples. Discover culturally significant buildings and a captivating garden, all while enjoying seasonal highlights such as cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves during fall. A visit to Kyoto’s Arashiyama area wouldn’t be complete without exploring this must-see destination.

From Kyoto, you can easily explore other nearby places in Kansai such as Osaka, Nara, and Kobe by using one of the many different transportation passes. 

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.

Kansai Area Pass (1-4 days)

・Unlimited rides on JR trains, limited express "Haruka" and West Japan JR buses in Kansai.
・Includes a 1-day pass for Kyoto Municipal Subway and Keihan Electric Railway.