Nanzen-ji Temple
In Japanese: 南禅寺（水路閣）
Head temple of the Nanzen-ji school of Rinzai Zen, founded in 1291 and once ranked above Kyoto’s five great Zen temples. Climb the huge Sanmon gate for the view, and see the red-brick Suirokaku aqueduct of 1888 in the grounds.
National Treasure (Hojo abbot’s quarters); Important Cultural Property (Sanmon gate)
Nearby
- Philosopher's Path ≈ 15 min by car
- Gion & Hanamikoji ≈ 15 min by car
- Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka ≈ 15 min by car
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple ≈ 15 min by car
- Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) ≈ 20 min by car
Travel times are rough estimates by car.
- Getting there
- 10 min walk from Keage Sta. (Subway Tozai Line)
- Fee
- Hojo garden ¥600; Sanmon gate ¥600; grounds free
- Good to know
- Hojo and Sanmon 8:40–17:00 (Dec–Feb to 16:30); last entry 20 min before closing; closed to general visitors Dec 28–31. Nanzen-in is closed for garden works until spring 2027 except a special opening in Nov 2026
- Time needed
- 1 h
Checked against the official Japanese website on 2026-10-15. Report outdated info