Nanzen-ji is one of the Kyoto Gozan (The Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto) in Higashiyama-ku (Eastern Mountains District). It is right in the middle of a busy and well-known sightseeing area, and is particularly busy due to the concentration of beautiful temples that make up a typical sightseeing itinerary between Kiyomizu-dera and Ginkakuji. Take a bit more time here to relax - the large grounds allow for more breathing room before heading to the other more densely populated temples in the area. Public transport to this area is convenient if you are headed here directly, being 5-10 minutes or so from a bus stop and a subway station. The temple grounds are publicly accessible with admission fees required for entry to go into a selection of sub-temples. Some temples are out of bounds to the public.

The main Sanmon Gate, also a civil war memorial, allows visitors to enjoy a wonderful view over the treetops of Kyoto, as well as a display of Buddhist artworks. The Lake Biwa Aqueduct (Sosui) built to draw water and bring life to Kyoto's industry and economy is located on these grounds. Beyond the canal is the main Nanzen-in temple, a former detached palace residence turned Zen temple with a beautiful pond and moss garden. Throughout the Nanzen-ji temple complex are smatterings of art from the era even painted onto structures themselves, notably the Tiger Drinking Water from a bamboo grove, painted onto the sliding doors of the hall of the Hojyo, accompanied by a beautiful raked gravel garden with a moss patch representing a tiger and three cubs leaping over a river (Toranoko Watashi no Niwa).

The flaming leaves of the momiji trees (Japanese maple) make Autumn a spectacular time to visit, while the Cherry trees and Azaleas will make your meanderings past gardens, ponds and hidden miniature waterfalls a highlight during the Spring as you make your way up to the Philosopher's Path.