Photo: TarnishedPath · CC BY-SA 4.0 · editedTenryu ji Temple
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osakaosaka · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
What's on here
Why go
- Sōgenchi Garden circles Sōgen Pond and retains nearly its original design.
- The teaching hall’s ceiling bears a dragon painting by Suzuki Shōnen.
Opening hours
Today08:30 – 17:30Show all
Don't miss
- Sōgenchi GardenWalk its circular path around Sōgen Pond.Garden behind the main hall
- Dragon ceiling paintingLook up at Suzuki Shōnen’s dragon painting in the teaching hall.Teaching hall ceiling
- Wooden image of Emperor Go-DaigoSee the wooden imperial image held in Tahō-den.Tahō-den
- Chokushi GateSee the oldest structure on the grounds, in Momoyama-period style.Temple grounds
Know before you go
- Open daily, 08:30–17:30.
- Hall visits may be unavailable on some days because of events.
Legends and hidden details
- A dream of a dragon emerging from the Ōi River inspired the temple’s name.
Interesting facts4
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Tenryu ji is the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.
Tenryū-ji - Wikipedia -
The teaching hall stands at the center of the grounds, an unusual layout for a Zen temple.
Tenryū-ji - Wikipedia -
The tombs of Emperor Go-Saga and Emperor Kameyama are on the grounds.
Tenryū-ji - Wikipedia -
330,000 square
Tenryu ji’s grounds once covered about 330,000 square meters and reached present-day Katabira-no-Tsuji station.
Tenryū-ji - Wikipedia
Shorts
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World Cultural Heritage Tenryu-ji Temple, Kyoto.Cash liu
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Kyoto, Japan’s Tenryu-ji Temple GardenGenna Dy
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JAPAN Tenryu-ji Temple ⛩️ Sogenchi Garden 🌿 WORLD HERITAGE 🔅Kyoto 🔅 A…Moon_LadyChan 月球小詹
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Tenryu-ji Temple GardensVillage Idiot Adventures
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Tenryu-ji Temple: A Timeless Zen Garden in Kyoto浅葱。vlogs
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Tenryu-ji TempleRudy Piano
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Tenryū-ji Temple Kyoto JapanRenante Dolendo (Hiroto Wada)
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Kyoto’s Most Autumn Garden: Tenryu-ji Temple 🍁 | Japan Travel GuideOther Planet Japan
History
Tenryu ji was built on the grounds of an imperial villa, on a site that had earlier held Danrin-ji. Most buildings standing today are Meiji-period reconstructions.
- early Heian periodDanrin-ji stood on the site, where Gikū taught Zen Buddhism.
- mid-13th centuryEmperors Go-Saga and Kameyama made the area an imperial villa.
- 1339Ashikaga Takauji founded Tenryu ji on the former villa grounds to venerate Gautama Buddha and hold a memorial for Emperor Go-Daigo. Musō Soseki guided its construction.
- 1342Two trading vessels, Tenryūji-bune, were launched to raise funds for construction.
- 1345Construction was completed.
Show all
- 1430sThe temple traded with Ming-dynasty China through an arrangement with the Ming Imperial Court.
- 1864The temple was severely damaged in the Kinmon Incident.
- 1994Tenryu ji became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.
How to get there
- BusCity buses 11, 28 and 93 stop directly in front of Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae.
- BusKyoto buses 61, 72 and 83 stop directly in front of Keifuku Arashiyama Station.
Sources: Tenryū-ji - Wikipedia · 世界遺産｜京都 嵯峨嵐山 臨済宗大本山 天龍寺 公式ホームページ · 天龍寺について：世界遺産｜京都 嵯峨嵐山 臨済宗大本山 天龍寺 公式ホームページ · 参拝・交通案内：世界遺産｜京都 嵯峨嵐山 臨済宗大本山 天龍寺 公式ホームページ · Tenryū-ji - Wikipedia · Tenryū-ji - Wikipedia · checked 27 Oct 2026
- Website
- tenryuji.com/
- Phone
- +81 75-881-1235
Questions and answers
What are Tenryu ji Temple’s opening hours?
It is open daily from 08:30 to 17:30.
How do I get to Tenryu ji Temple by bus?
City buses 11, 28 and 93 stop in front of Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae. Kyoto buses 61, 72 and 83 stop in front of Keifuku Arashiyama Station.
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