Nanzen-ji Temple

The basics

There’s a lot to take in at Nanzen-ji Temple, located in a culture-rich part of Kyoto, Higashiyama, where the must-see Ginkaku-ji Temple is also situated. It’s an important temple in the Rinzai Zen sect of Buddhism, and among the many structures that can be visited here is the Hojo, the former head priest’s residence.

Another major attraction is the Meiji-era aqueduct, which still carries water from Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake, and the tea room, where you can pay a few yen for a traditional hot drink and sweet and sit in peaceful contemplation. Travelers usually visit Nanzen-ji independently while touring the Higashiyama district.

Things to know before you go

• There are separate entry fees to enter the different parts of Nanzen-ji Temple.

• Wheelchairs can be borrowed for indoor use in parts of the complex. The paths around the complex are paved, but there are also slopes and gravel areas, making the temple only partly accessible to users of wheelchairs and strollers.

• The steps up to the Sanmon Gate are very steep and challenging.

How to get there

Nanzen-ji Temple is located in the Higashiyama district, within central Kyoto. The area is serviced by several buses, trains, and subway lines, but no stops are within a 10-minute walk of the temple, so you’ll have to walk the last little way.

When to get there

Nanzen-ji Temple is open from morning until early evening, with slightly shorter opening hours in the winter to account for less daylight. It’s open every day of the year. Like many other Japanese temples, spring and fall are attractive times to visit when the foliage is at its best.

Visit nearby Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion

Another notable attraction in Higashiyama is the 15th-century Ginkaku-ji, also known as the Silver Pavilion. While the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji, is one of Kyoto’s most-visited attractions, Ginkaku-ji falls somewhat under the radar. Why? It's possibly because it’s not covered in silver, as it was meant to be. It’s still worth visiting, though, and it’s within walking distance of Nanzen-ji.