It’s not the temple you often see in travel magazines, but Nanzenji Temple is so much more than a building, it’s a haven of pure beauty.
Located about 5 km from Kyoto station and within 1 km of Kyoto City Zoo, Nanzenji Temple is home to one of Japan’s oldest branches of Zen Buddhism.
In 1291, the temple was built by Emperor Kameyama, the 90th Emperor of Japan, and became the main headquarters of Rinkai Zen, a branch of Zen Buddhism that is focused on the awakening of transcendental wisdom or enlightenment.
Why Is It Underrated?
Unlike some other temples in Japan, like Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji, you won’t find flocks of people here at Nanzenji Temple.
Perhaps the reason it’s so underrated is that it doesn’t boast bright colors like the Golden Pavilion nor does it offer amazing mountain-high views of Kyoto City like Kiyomizu-dera.
Then What Makes It So Great?
The Nanzenji Temple itself is quite a spectacle to behold, but compared to the bright spectacular temples of Kyoto’s more popular destinations, this reason alone is not enough to make the trip.
In truth, Nanzenji Temple is worth visiting because of all the sub-temples that you also get access to simply by walking along the spacious grounds of the vicinity.
On top of that, the entire site is surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests that really take you back in time. At the right moments of the day, you can witness brilliant sunrises and aesthetic sunsets that offer the perfect shots for your Japan photo album.
More Than A Temple
In addition to the beautiful temple and sub-temples of Nanzenji, you will also come across a large brick aqueduct.
Spanning across the grounds of Nanzenji Temple, this structure was built in the Meiji Period in order to transport water between the Kyoto and Shiga prefectures.
A spectacular sight indeed, you can walk along and through this partial canal system and add some variety to your Nanzenji photo album.
Sit And Relax In Nature
As I mentioned, one of the selling points of Nanzenji Temple is the beautiful natural surroundings of the area, encompassing tall bright green trees and mountainous backdrops.
After a long day of walking and taking photos, you can sit and unwind at the designated seating area and catch a restroom break as needed.
There isn’t much here in terms of food, but there are several vending machines in the area (typical Japan) where you can refresh with a nice hot or cold beverage.
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!