Kyoto: Kennin-ji, the Oldest Zen Temple in Kyoto

I suddenly decided to plan a day trip to Kyoto. I was almost completely ignorant about temples and shrines in Kyoto.

When it comes to sightseeing in Kyoto, I thought Higashiyama, where famous spots like Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera are concentrated, would be a safe bet.

While looking up a route to visit sightseeing spots in Higashiyama from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station, I thought, 'I've seen this painting of the Wind God and Thunder God before,' and since it was close to the station, I decided on Kennin-ji first.

My first destination, chosen almost unconsciously because it was close to a well-known tourist spot, strongly attracted me to the charm of Zen temples and, by extension, the charm of Kyoto.

If someone asks me about sightseeing in Kyoto, I recommend Kennin-ji first.

● The Wind God and Thunder God and the Twin Dragons painting were impressive and memorable.

● The location was good, being close to Kawaramachi.

● They are tolerant of photography, so you can keep records.

● There is a magnificent Zen garden, represented by the dry landscape garden.

● It was less crowded than other tourist spots.

The National Treasure folding screen of the Wind God and Thunder God is deposited at the Kyoto National Museum, so what you can see at Kennin-ji is actually a replica.

No, for now, the replica is enough. Once you visit Kennin-ji, it will remain in your memory as the temple associated with the Wind God and Thunder God.

The 'Twin Dragons' painting covering the entire ceiling is also spectacular.

Higashiyama has many tourist attractions, but Kennin-ji has a good balance of history, prestige, cultural assets, and gardens.

Founded in the second year of Kennin (1202), it is said to have been established by Minamoto no Yoriie, the second shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate. It was opened by Eisai, the founder of the Rinzai sect, and is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. It is selected as one of the Kyoto Gozan (Five Mountains) and is, of course, one of the head temples of the Rinzai sect.

The highlights are plentiful, including the Wind God and Thunder God, the Twin Dragons, the sliding door paintings of the A-un dragons, and the Circle-Triangle-Square Garden of the dry landscape. While photography is prohibited at many temples, Kennin-ji is tolerant of it.

As a famous sub-temple, there is Ryosoku-in, which houses many cultural assets such as valuable ancient books, Chinese books, and Korean books.

It also has deep ties to Sengoku warlords such as Ankokuji Ekei, Taigen Sessai, Kuroda Nagamasa, and Oda Urakusai, which is exciting for Sengoku fans.

Kodai-ji, founded by Nene (Kita no Mandokoro) to enshrine Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Hokan-ji, home to the Yasaka Pagoda, are sub-temples of Kennin-ji.

Kyoto sightseeing has many major temples and shrines, and I feel like Kennin-ji, which is not registered as a World Heritage site, tends to be skipped, but you shouldn't skip it. If anything, it's the kind of temple I would want someone who has never visited a temple to visit first.

1st Kyoto Sightseeing 2021.8.10 [Day Trip] ☀️🥵
Kennin-ji -> Yasaka Shrine -> Kodai-ji -> Kiyomizu-dera -> Sanjusangen-do