Sanzen-in Temple

Sanzen-in Temple

Sanzen-in Temple
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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  • PeterSam
    Japan11,781 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The garden, moss, and Jizo statue are all one and the same.
    Summer in Kyoto Hot Summer I visited Kyoto for four days during Yoiyama, when the Gion Festival is held. However, every day in Kyoto is plagued by intense heat. Even though I am Japanese, I don't know anything about Buddhism. According to my family tree, my roots go back to the 16th century during the reign of Emperor Go-Nara, and to Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiharu. It was a long time ago before Francis Xavier (Xavier) came to Japan. In the 16th century, I served as a priest at a certain shrine in Ichinomiya, Owari, Aichi Prefecture. I don't have any relatives who are priests now, but I have several uncles and nephews who are monks of the Soto Zen sect. Because I went to a Catholic school for middle and high school, I am interested in statues of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, angels, and saints. However, I am ashamed to say that I am not interested in Buddhist statues, even though I am Japanese. Such an ordinary person, who is not a man of refined tastes, decided to visit Sanzen-in Temple, a Tendai sect temple in Ohara. I visited this ancient temple and was impressed by the natural beauty created by the cedar trees and moss. The temple grounds are wrapped in beautiful green moss, creating a sense of quiet coolness. The temple is home to a child Jizo statue with an impressive gentle face, which soothes the hearts of all who visit. I'm sure this feeling can be shared by people all over the world. This child Jizo statue has a very gentle expression.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 30 May 2024
  • ZN9999
    Mollymook, Australia479 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Famous Temple and I can see why
    This wa son my must visit list for a too many years now. I always found something else closer to go to instead. But it was not difficult together to Ohara in reality. 2 Bus trips. The last from Demachiyanagi was only 30 to 40mins. And a very interesting ride through the country side to Ohara. The temple complex is another 20 to 30 min walk from the bus stop. Again an interesting walk. Tourist shops and restaurants along the way. But during our time relaxed and not crowded. I could see it not being that way during autumn and hana mi. The temple itself is impressive with garden views and garden strolls over a large area. And there are other temples very close also worth viewing. So there's a lot to do. Well worth the escape from the city.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 June 2024
  • zhuoyue
    China19 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A royal courtyard with no regrets. Perfect for photos.
    The scenic Japanese traditional courtyard is said to have been once a royal garden. It's full of Buddhist culture and traditional Japanese ghost culture, perfect for worship. The entire courtyard appears quiet and peaceful, with mossy meadows strewn around wooden buildings and stone statues creating an out-of-this-world scene
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 August 2024
  • FernandoNevesAlmeida
    Lisbon, Portugal390 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    One of the lower gardens of the Japanese temples
    The gardens are wonderful, one of the most photographed in Japan. There are still two other temples to visit nearby. It is easy to get to Ohara from Kyoto Satation by bus, it takes about an hour and a half and costs 630 Y. Afterwards you have to walk about 15m on the slope.
    Visited November 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 4 November 2024
  • ちえ野
    324 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sanzen-in Temple was busy during the autumn foliage season.
    I visited here during the season when autumn colors are in full bloom. There were a lot of people, and I took a private taxi, so I was parked in a nearby parking lot. And a big garden. It is also a good idea to take your time and enjoy a cup of matcha tea while quietly looking at the garden. In Ojo Gokurakuin, the ceiling was folded up into a boat-bottom shape to house the Amida Triad, and the ceiling was painted with richly colored figures of heavenly maidens and bodhisattvas, and a restored version is displayed in the exhibition room. There are many things to see, so we recommend taking your time.
    Visited November 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 December 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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

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Purwitanto
Sengata, Indonesia3,076 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Couples
We were interested in visiting Sanzen Temple because looking at photos on the internet it looked very beautiful in autumn.
The location of this temple in Ohara is a bit outside Kyoto, there is no subway to get there. So we had to take the bus. The multi-stop bus trip takes approximately 2 hours from the Demachiyanagi bus stop in Kyoto. After arriving at the last stop in Ohara, we have to walk several hundred meters to reach the temple.
Sanzen Temple is quite beautiful with a well-organized garden. The garden with a pond in the middle of the temple is quite beautiful. But we didn't arrive at the right time there. The fallen leaves are dry, unlike in the photos where the leaves are still red on the moss but that's okay. What is unique is that there are small stone statues among the moss in the garden. Outside the temple grounds there are many stalls selling food.
Worth a visit if you have time and want to get out of Kyoto city for those who are interested.
Google
Written 27 November 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.

Hiroaki Kaneko
Tokyo, Japan5,583 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023
建物内も庭園も、厳かながら穏やかな空気に包まれている寺院です。
休日や紅葉などの美しい季節の景色を見ることが出来る期間は、多くの参拝者・拝観者による賑わいを見せますが、通常時は参拝客は多くなく、特に閉館間際の時間帯は参道沿いのほとんどの店(茶屋や土産物店)が閉まるため一層参拝客もおらず、静謐な雰囲気が漂います。そのような中、庭園の一つである聚碧園を前に何も考えず座りながら、庭園の樹木の葉擦れの音や雨音といった自然の音だけが聞こえる、というのは、極上のひと時かもしれません。
寺院ではありますが建物内の至る所に仏像があるわけではなく、まるで名士の広々とした家屋のような印象です。常に清潔に保っており、気持ちよく寺院内を周回できるようになっています。建物そのものや庭園の撮影は許可されていますが、建物内は原則撮影禁止です。客殿から庭園を眺める広間は柱が多いため、ぶつからないように注意しましょう。また一部の引き戸の建付けが少し悪く、開閉がしづらいところにも注意が必要です。
四季折々の美しい景観を見せる庭園も、この寺院の見どころの一つです。金色堂や観音堂へは、基本的に階段を使って行く必要がありますが、スロープも設置されており、車椅子等の障碍を持つ方でも気軽に参拝できるよう整備されています。庭園を覆いつくす杉林が程よく日差しを遮っており、山中にある寺院であることも相俟って、夏でもあまり暑くありません。
従事する職員の方々の応対も非常に丁寧で、参拝客が少ない時には彼等から気さくに話しかけてくれたり等します。是非立ち寄っていただきたい寺院の一つだと思います。

Both inside the building and in the garden, the temple is surrounded by a solemn yet peaceful atmosphere.
The temple is crowded with visitors on holidays and during the beautiful season so as the autumn leaves etc., but during normal times, there are not many visitors, especially just before the closing hours when most stores and cafes along the approach (teahouses and souvenir stores) are closed, creating a tranquil atmosphere. It's a wonderful moment to sit in front of the Shuhekien Garden and listen to the sounds of nature, such as the rustling of leaves and the rain, without thinking.
Although it's a temple, there are no Buddha statues throughout the building, which gives the impression of a spacious house of a distinguished family. The temple is always kept clean, and visitors can make their way around the temple comfortably. Photography of the building itself and the garden is permitted, but as a rule, photography is prohibited inside the building. The hall overlooking the garden from the guest hall has many pillars, so be careful not to bump into them. Also, note that some of the sliding doors are not well made and are difficult to open and close.
The temple's garden, with its beautiful seasonal scenery, is one of the highlights of the temple. Konjiki-do and Kannon-do are basically accessible by stairs, but slopes have been installed so that visitors with disabilities, such as wheelchairs, can easily visit the temple. The cedar forest that covers the garden provides a good amount of shade and, coupled with the fact that the temple is located in the mountains, it's not too hot, even in the summer.
The staff members are very courteous, and when there are not many visitors, they will talk to you in a friendly manner. This is one of the temples you should definitely stop by.
Written 22 February 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.

lukumay m
Romania12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
This temple is well worth a visit. We rented a car, but public transportation from Kyoto is also available. We enjoyed every minute, from the long and meandering path that takes you to the gate, to the gardens, to drinking delicious matcha while you soak up the beauty of the garden, to the tasty lunch we had in a restaurant with very simple but tasteful decor just outside the gate. Highly recommended.
Written 23 August 2022
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.

Vacation12871371122
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
The temple has a well-maintained garden. There are many reasonably priced tofu restaurants around the entrance. It's delicious. The entrance fee is cheap, at 700 yen from what I remember.
*Please note this for those using the bus.
1. The coin lockers at the bus stop have been removed.
Our group dragged our suitcases and walked up the steep path for 20 minutes to Sanzen-in. Please do not bring any luggage (backpacks are fine).
2. Unless you leave early in the morning, be prepared for crowded buses.*
Google
Written 7 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.

stkyn
Minatomirai, Japan155 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
I've been here a few times, and the solemn atmosphere, as if it were cut off from the secular world, is hard to describe. Even though it's midsummer, it feels a little cool. (Actually, I think the temperature is a little low.) I could listen to the chanting echoing through the quiet garden forever.
Google
Written 25 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.

skiin89ba
Sagamihara, Japan2,435 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Solo
Visit on November 24. This is the main temple for sightseeing in Ohara, but autumn colors this year are still late. The temperature should be cooler than in the city, but the colors are still slow. There are many orange trees, but few that are stained red.
Automatically translated
Written 24 November 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.

詳治 小
Hitachinaka, Japan897 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Couples
I visit Kyoto every year, but Sanzenin Temple takes about an hour one way from Kyoto Station. I don't have many opportunities to visit, so it's been a while since I last visited. All temples in Kyoto have beautiful gardens. I didn't do anything but sit upright on the tatami mat and gaze at the garden for a while. It calms my mind. I visited at the beginning of December, when the autumn leaves were nearing the end of their season and there were few visitors, so I strolled through the quiet grounds.
Google
Written 26 September 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, Thailand779 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Sanzen-in is a hidden gem in Kyoto! Its captivating moss garden and serene temple create a blissful sanctuary. I could have lost myself for hours in its tranquil beauty. A must-visit destination that deserves a few extra days in Kyoto to fully immerse in the serene atmosphere and experience the profound tranquility it offers.
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.

AkelaH
Liverpool, England, United Kingdom1,118 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
Koya San is not the easiest place to get to and if I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t have bothered. It is an absolute rip off! I thought I was getting a spiritual experience in a working temple but nothing could be further from the truth. There is virtually no interaction with the monks unless you count the thirty minutes of watching them chant at 07:00. This is basically an old ryokan with a celebration hall attached. We booked a large room and were shown to one on the second floor tucked so far out of the way, we were told we wouldn’t need a room key as no one ever goes up there. There do seem to be newer parts - wish we’d have got one of those. We had no bathroom, just a toilet and sink which were down the corridor a little. We paid £522 for this privilege!! There are some small courtyard type gardens but I could not find the three designer gardens. The evening meal is brought to your room which was lucky because I gagged over most of it. It is more vegan than vegetarian - if you like slimy tofu, you’ll be fine. If you want a drink with your evening meal, even water - bearing in mind the cost of the one night stay - you have to pay extra, upfront! The only air conditioning in the room was one small unit in the bedroom and a fan for all the other rooms. There was a small added on seating area but this was stifling as the fan could not reach far enough to cool it.
I was intending to participate in all of the advertised activities but that was not to be. The meditation has been completely blocked out from the room information; I asked about prayer bead making, this was a ‘no’; I asked about the sutra copying - I could do that. I expected to be told what time the class would be where I would be shown how to make the marks - nope! I had to lay ¥1000 - upfront- to be given two pens, three laminates and a piece of paper with writing on it. I was led to a room where I was told to write my name, address and make a wish. She then left me with no other instructions. I basically did lines in isolation! I traced the writing through the paper which took me about an hour. Once finished, I had to return the pens and laminates, no one came to check on me in all that time.
After morning prayers, we were told breakfast was together but although it was in the same room, we were all separated off from each other by screens. Needless to say we left as quickly as we could- very hungry! The only saving graces were the Family Mart down the road and the beautiful temple complex across the road. I feel like this whole thing is a scam!
Written 29 August 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.

anonymous01
London, UK63 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2013 • Couples
As mentioned in other reviews. This temple and especially the garden is worth the trip from Kyoto by 30 min bus. The road up the hill is quite touristy and disappointing, but temple garden is beautiful. Go for lunch instead at the Ohara riverside cafe; delicious fresh food. Just follow the walking path behind the bus station (opposite direction of Sanzen-in temple) to the river. And a little further you will find this hidden gem!
Written 5 November 2013
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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