Nanzen-ji Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

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...

『南禅寺水路閣』 Nanzenji Suirokaku

= In English = If you visit Nanzen-ji Temple in Kyoto, you will not miss aqueducts Roman of Kyoto "Suirokaku"

Suirokaku of the Temple Nanzen-ji was built in 1890. It is one aqueducts of 93m2 of length for 4m of width which irrigates the water from the Lake Biwako. For this conception architectural, it was classified as a historic site of Kyoto in 1983. Mr Sakuro Tanabe had only 22-year-old when he conceived this Bridge. He had a lot of pressure to build it in the noblest temple of Japan but He managed to build thanks the passion for the engineering and the Architecture.

= En Français = Si vous visitez le Temple Nanzen-ji à Kyoto, vous ne raterez pas l'aqueducs romain de Kyoto "Suirokaku"

Suirokaku du Temple Nanzen-ji a été construit en 1890. C'est un aqueducs de 93m2 de longueur pour 4m de largeur qui irrigue de l'eau du Lac Biwako. Pour sa conception architectural, il a été désigné comme un site historique à Kyoto en 1983. Mr Sakuro Tanabe avait juste 22 ans quand il l'a conçu. Il a eu beaucoup de pression pour construire un pont dans le temple le plus noble du Japon mais Il a réussi à l'accomplir par sa passion pour l'ingénierie et l'Architecture.

= In Italiano = Suirokaku del Tempio Nanzen-ji è stato costruito in1890. Sono un acquedotti di 93m2 di lunghezza per 4m di larghezza che irriga dell'acqua del Lago Biwako. Per la sua concezione architettonica, è stato designato come un sito storico a Kyoto in1983. Mr Sakuro Tanabe aveva appena 22 anni quando l'ha concepito. Ha avuto molta pressione da costruire un ponte nel tempio più nobile del Giappone ma è riuscito a compierlo per la sua passione per l'ingegneria e l'architettura.

Location/Lieu/Luogo: 〒606-8435 Kyoto Prefecture, Sakyo Ward,...

Because of its convenient location with easy access by Kyoto subway and because it does not charge admission fee for its center garden, the Temple is popular, especially for Spring Cherry blossom and Fall Leave seasons. However, Nanzen-ji Temple can be specially attractive in small or moderate rainy days or between 09-11AM and between 03PM to 04PM of the sunny days when sunshine can shine on or reflect on black [ and other color] brick roof of temple's various gates and wall roof. Different timing of sunshine will make roof bricks so splendid with subtle difference sometimes and so vivid shiny sometimes.

Another attractive time is early morning, when temple is just open in the early morning and when there are only a few visitors.

In addition to center yard or garden, visitors may want to stop by red-brick "Sosui" [or water canal in English], which is waterway from Lake Biwa [of Otsu] to Kyoto and which was built more than 130 years ago. .

The front or the Eastern Garden of the Main Hall is a rock garden, with stone footpath, while the white stone or rock landscape does provide simplicity and beauty of traditional Zen garden.

The Fee-based worship garden is also worthy of visit, although not many tourists stop by. Like many other Japanese temples, which have tradition, history, and attractions and which will charge entrance admission for these "special attractions", such as Main Hall, Rear Garden, Sutra Library, Nanzen-ji also charges entrance fee for its garden in the east side of Main Yard. However, tourists from bus tour group generally will miss these entrance-fee-based attractions, when tour groups generally do not include these special attractions of the temples as focus part of any...