⛩️ Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji was founded in the late 13th century by the "Kameyama Emperor," who repelled Mongolian invasions twice. It is the first Zen temple in Japan built at the behest of the imperial family. After the main buildings were constructed by the monk "Sōen," who was sent to Japan as an envoy, "Issan Ichinei" succeeded him. Most of the buildings preserved at Nanzen-ji today were constructed after the Edo period. The building designated as a national treasure, "Hōjō," was originally built as part of the Kyoto Imperial Palace by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was relocated here during the Edo period. Visitors can admire the large-scale wall paintings in the Momoyama style, created by the renowned Kanō school of painters. Additionally, there are famous landscapes such as sculptures believed to be by "Zashin Goro" and the Hōjō garden designed by Kobori Enshū. The Sanmon gate was rebuilt in the early Edo period by Tōdō Takatora and also appears in the Kabuki play "Rōmon Gosan Kiri." Nanzen-ji also features stunning ceiling paintings such as "Hōkan Shaka-zō" and "Jūroku Rakan-zō," painted by "Kanō Tanyū." Furthermore, the Suido-kaku, a waterway bridge between Nanzen-in and the Hōjō garden, was constructed during the Meiji period to channel water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto, designed with consideration for the surrounding landscape, and has since become a popular photography spot.

The Hōjō Garden displays many artworks from the Momoyama period. On the Sanmon Gate, known as the Five Phoenixes Tower, there are statues of Shakyamuni, Arhats, as well as statues of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Tōdō Takatora. The strolling garden of Nanzen-in was created during the Kamakura period and is the oldest garden in Kyoto. It is said to have been created by Emperor Kameyama. The Suirō-kaku, built with red bricks and connected by arches, is a famous photo spot. Inside the Hōdō, rebuilt in the early Meiji period, there are ceiling paintings by Imao Keinen.