Kennin-ji Temple
Kennin-ji Temple
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Plan your visit
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Gion
Gion is Kyoto's famed Geisha District (called "Geiko" in Kyoto). Though Gion's many tea houses and entertainment restaurants are closed to foreigners, Geiko and Maiko in their traditional makeup with gilded hair in full kimono can be seen drifting the streets on their way to and from work, where they fan dance, sing, and play instruments for customers. Gion lights up at night, when the ancient-looking streets glow with lanterns along the river, where weeping willows catch the starlight and the air is warmed with conversation. Groups pass through to populate the restaurants and bars along the riverfront, but Gion still manages to be a mostly quiet district, due in large part to limited automotive traffic through many of its streets. Gion is a wonderful place to indulge in Kyoto's local and customary cuisines, and is best enjoyed after dark.
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • tim r
    137 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Up to the usual high standards, with bells on
    We changed our plans and went here, since it was pouring with rain and we didn't want to walk too far from our Higashiyama hotel. So glad we did! Most elements you might expect in a temple were perfectly represented here, and the rain just seemed to enhance the whole experience. Very impressive main temple hall, with an excellent contemporary dragon painting on the ceiling. The main gravel garden, Daoi-en, is a wonderfully contemplative space - give it at least 15 to 30 minutes to let it all sink in. Then the Shion garden is a courtyard garden which you can sit and look at from all sides. Beautiful in the heavy rain, a combination of moss and stones. Also around this courtyard are a collection of ancient and modern screen paintings - all exquisite. Last but not least, out of all the ultra tech toilets we visited in Japan, only these had a seat that lifted up as you entered the cubicle, and special slippers with bells on.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 October 2023
  • Mia
    Michigan25 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dragons are waiting for you.
    This is one of the great attractions you must visit if you love Japanese paintings, architecture, gardens, religious objects, etc. Various kinds of paintings on the sliding doors, the ceilings, and the screens are marvelous, especially the most famous Fu-jin and Rai-jin screen. The dragons on the sliding doors are breathtaking. Don’t forget to see the dragons on the ceiling as well. They are lively and even scary. The perfectly organized Japanese gardens will purify your mind.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 21 December 2023
  • hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
    Vermont7,620 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Arrive early to have the grounds to yourself
    If you prefer to take photos without people wandering into your shots, arrive at the opening time of 10:00 AM. We arrived just at 10 and had the grounds almost entirely to ourselves for quite a while. As the morning progressed, more people arrived, but it never seemed to be overrun with crowds. The open spaces are expansive so we didn’t have that constant and annoying problem of people standing right where we wanted to shoot. I was surprised that we were the only Western visitors there. The grounds are lovely and the peace and quiet in the midst of Gion came as such a welcome relief. We spent almost two hours photographing the gardens and we could easily have spent more. As we left we took an uphill road lined with gorgeous azalea plants in full bloom (early for this time of year, but everything was early in 2023 it seemed).
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 January 2024
  • tracey k
    Redmond, Washington761 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    LOVELY DRY GARDEN SCAPES
    Beautiful examples of Zen dry gardens. For Western visitors, be aware not only take off your shoes upon entry, but put on Temple provided shoes in certain areas (it's pretty obvious). There are plenty of rules, signs explaining rules, and security guards enforcing rules as there are no photograph areas, no entry rooms, no sitting areas, etc. The two dragon ceiling painting is stunning and should not be missed. The goshuin (temple stamp) is hand painted and lovely.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 7 April 2024
  • Hiroshi317
    Yokohama, Japan340 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Seiraiin temple has the large dragon ceiling picture
    Kennin-ji temple has many child temples. Seirai-in is one if it. Here start to open this summer. Lankei douryu from Chine opened this temple about 8 hundreds years ago. Now renewed it’s garden, ceiling picture folding screen. Chinese artist draw dragons at ceiling. It’s so excellent and recommend you lie around tatami and watch it.
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,027 reviews
Excellent
577
Very good
364
Average
78
Poor
4
Terrible
4

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YarraVictoria
Victoria209 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Friends
It seems this lovely temple is managing to avoid the hordes. We arrived at 10am on opening, removed our shoes and wandered the beautiful buildings, tatami mats, artworks and incredible roof painting in the main Temple, go there first and you will have it to yourself, pick up your free red outdoor slippers on the way. The public toilet slippers even have bells on them.
Lovely rock garden with adjacent benches where it is the custom to sit and contemplate your purpose in life and being there, such a nice thing to do. Although some tourists didn’t seem to read the room and follow what the locals were doing with quiet respect.
Buildings surround a central tranquil courtyard with water features and moss covered tree roots. The current art display is stunning using special methods to bring out vibrant colour in the works.
Well worth the visit.
Written 12 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tim r
Worcester137 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
We changed our plans and went here, since it was pouring with rain and we didn't want to walk too far from our Higashiyama hotel. So glad we did! Most elements you might expect in a temple were perfectly represented here, and the rain just seemed to enhance the whole experience. Very impressive main temple hall, with an excellent contemporary dragon painting on the ceiling. The main gravel garden, Daoi-en, is a wonderfully contemplative space - give it at least 15 to 30 minutes to let it all sink in. Then the Shion garden is a courtyard garden which you can sit and look at from all sides. Beautiful in the heavy rain, a combination of moss and stones. Also around this courtyard are a collection of ancient and modern screen paintings - all exquisite. Last but not least, out of all the ultra tech toilets we visited in Japan, only these had a seat that lifted up as you entered the cubicle, and special slippers with bells on.
Written 8 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

carloscharmy
Bangkok, Thailand780 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Kennin-ji is an awe-inspiring historical gem! Its ancient legacy and cultural significance are captivating. The mesmerizing fusuma art, showcasing traditional motifs and vibrant colors, transports visitors to a bygone era. The breathtaking dragons on the ceiling adds an air of mystique and reverence. A truly immersive experience that allows one to connect with Japan's rich artistic heritage and spiritual depth. A must-visit for those seeking a profound encounter in Kyoto.
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andrea Gagliardi
Rio de Janeiro, RJ311 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Family
Wonderful visit to the Buddhist temple belonging to the Zen sect, considered the oldest in Kyoto! It consists of several large halls and smaller surrounding buildings. You pay 600 yen to enter the main buildings. We saw several masterpieces of Japanese art and design, such as the gods of wind and thunder and the twin dragons painted on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall. There is a beautiful garden based on a conception of the universe. A peaceful environment, far from the hustle and bustle of the streets of Gion.
Google
Written 22 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stéphane G
298 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
Less crowded than the other stars of Kyoto, this temple offers a Zen atmosphere with its interior gardens and its dry garden.
In addition to the golden paintings, you should definitely not miss its impressive ceiling painting depicting two dragons. Gorgeous !
Google
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mia
Michigan25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Friends
This is one of the great attractions you must visit if you love Japanese paintings, architecture, gardens, religious objects, etc. Various kinds of paintings on the sliding doors, the ceilings, and the screens are marvelous, especially the most famous Fu-jin and Rai-jin screen. The dragons on the sliding doors are breathtaking. Don’t forget to see the dragons on the ceiling as well. They are lively and even scary. The perfectly organized Japanese gardens will purify your mind.
Written 21 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PeterSam
Japan11,206 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Friends
The Chokushimon Gate, which serves as the temple's southern entrance, was built at the end of the Kamakura period.

It is said that Ikkyu also learned to write poetry at Kenninji Temple.

It is said that the gate was moved from Taira Shigemori's Rokuhara residence after the Onin War.

It is also called Yatatemon Gate because there are arrow marks from the war on the pillars and door.
The Rinzai sect Kenninji Temple received the patronage of Shogun Minamoto no Yoriie in the early Kamakura period.
It was founded by Zen master Eisai on the site of the former Taira residence near the Rokuhara Tandai.

I'm a Catholic, so I don't know much about Buddhism or Shinto.
But I do understand beauty and the spirit of elegance.
Google
Written 15 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hfot2 🌸🍁🌸
Vermont7,620 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
If you prefer to take photos without people wandering into your shots, arrive at the opening time of 10:00 AM.

We arrived just at 10 and had the grounds almost entirely to ourselves for quite a while.

As the morning progressed, more people arrived, but it never seemed to be overrun with crowds. The open spaces are expansive so we didn’t have that constant and annoying problem of people standing right where we wanted to shoot. I was surprised that we were the only Western visitors there.

The grounds are lovely and the peace and quiet in the midst of Gion came as such a welcome relief. We spent almost two hours photographing the gardens and we could easily have spent more.

As we left we took an uphill road lined with gorgeous azalea plants in full bloom (early for this time of year, but everything was early in 2023 it seemed).

Written 2 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Katrinus
Dubai, United Arab Emirates133 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Family
I don’t know why more people weren’t here, it’s in the heart of Gion/Higashiyama tourist area yet was so quiet and peaceful (a good thing really for a zen temple). It’s not a large complex so can be seen and enjoyed more easily than others too. The inner gardens, screens and that amazing dragon ceiling are worth the entrance.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The Gentleman Traveler
London, UK19 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019
This was a strange one, my friend and I visited the temple and were not allowed in because I had with me a professional looking DSLR camera and the (very rude) staff just pointed to a sign saying no professional photoshoots allowed and then ignored us and wouldn’t let us in. I must say this was really peculiar and I have never experienced anything like this in my life. I am sure that some people take liberties and dominate the beautiful surroundings by using it for private photoshoots but we were very disappointed to be prejudiced in such a manner and they dealt with the situation very poorly. Perhaps the lady behind the desk was just having a bad day, perhaps she had an Ex husband who worked for Canon Cameras? Who knows!? 😂 All I can say was that we were both dumbfounded and left the temple feeling very confused at what had just happened. Looking back it was very disappointing but luckily we had planned other activities at other temples which let us in no matter how professional I may have looked...I guess I should take it as a compliment right?
Written 6 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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