Tenryu-ji Temple

The Basics

While the temple—originally founded in 1399—and its buildings have been destroyed and rebuilt several times, the garden dates from its founding. Walk the garden, designed by landscape architect Muso Soseki, to enjoy its large central pond surrounded by rocks and trees. Soseki's design takes advantage of the “borrowed scenery” of nearby mountains for extra depth. The temple complex comprises several buildings, including the Dharma Hall, home to the Cloud-Dragon painting.

Tenryu-ji Temple, a popular tourist attraction, features on numerous Kyoto sightseeing tours, alongside other area attractions such as Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Kyoto highlights, such as Kiyomizu-Dera Temple, Fushimi Inari Shrine, or Kinkaku-ji Temple.

Things to Know Before You Go

• There are separate fees for the garden, temple buildings, and Dharma Hall.

• The on-site vegetarian restaurant is Michelin-rated.

• Parts of the temple grounds are wheelchair accessible, and a route map for wheelchair users is available.

How to Get There

Tenryu-ji is easily accessible by public transportation. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Line; about a 10-minute walk from JR Saga-Arashiyama Station on the Sagano Line; and about a 15-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on the Hankyu Line. Alternatively, take city bus Nos. 11, 28, 61, 72, 83, or 93 to Arashiyama Tenryu-ji mae bus stop.

When to Get There

The temple is open daily, year-round, with slightly longer hours between April and October. Dharma Hall is only open on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and certain periods in spring and fall. The temple and gardens are particularly scenic in spring, when the cherry blossoms are in bloom, and in autumn, for the fall colors.

Nearby Attractions

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is located next to the Tenryu-ji Temple. A number of other attractions are nearby, including Togetsukyo Bridge, Nonomiya Shrine, Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama, Horin-ji Temple, Jojakko-ji Temple, and Adashino Nenbutsu Temple.