Tenjuan : All you Need to Know in 2025

Escape the crowds and discover a secret Kyoto treasure: Tenjuan, a sub-temple of Nanzen-ji Temple, located in Sakyo-ku, the northeastern part of Kyoto. Popular tourist spots such as Eikando, Nanzen-ji Temple, and the Philosopher’s Path are nearby.

Tenshu-an is not well known, and there are few visitors. However, It has two historic and beautiful gardens. The fall foliage and the summer water lily pond are especially breathtaking.. It’s truly a hidden gem and well worth a visit. Here is all you need to know before visiting Tenjuan.

History

Tenjuan is a sub-temple of Nanzen-ji, the head temple of the Rinzai Zen sect in Kyoto. Originally, Nanzen-ji was the imperial villa of Emperor Kameyama, who entered the priesthood in 1289. According to legend, the temple was established after the founding priest, Daimyō Kokushi (also known as Mukan Fumon), drove away a mischievous spirit that haunted the emperor’s villa when he was the head priest at Tofuku-ji Temple.

Tenjuan was founded later, in 1339, by the 15th abbot of Nanzen-ji, Kokan Shiren, to enshrine Daimyō Kokushi’s remains. According to tradition, the stupa was named “Reiko,” and the hermitage was named “Tenju.” Tragically, the temple was destroyed during the Onin War (1467–1477), but it was rebuilt in 1602 with the support of Hosokawa Yusai. The reconstruction included the abbot’s quarters, main gate, old library, and pagoda.

Features

Kuri

Kuri, a building visible from the entrance to Tenjuan, serves as the living quarters for the priests. Through this structure, visitors can see a beautiful garden beyond. During the fall foliage season, the garden is transformed into a mesmerizing landscape of fiery red leaves.

Daishoin

Daishoin is a large building where monks study. The surrounding area, adorned with swaying pampas grass and vibrant maple leaves, creates a stunning autumn scene.

Gardens

Tenjuan has two beautiful gardens.

Enmoku Garden (East Garden)

Enmoku Garden is a karesansui (Japanese dry) garden designed by Kobori Enshu, an Edo period garden designer who also designed the gardens of Nijo Castle, Kodai-ji Temple, and Seijyoin Temple within Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The arrangement of rectangular quarried stones is a departure from the traditional natural arrangement, creating an artificial impression of a modern garden. The black pine trees at the front symbolize a forest and an island, while the white gravel patterned like waves represents the ocean. The fall foliage of the maple trees in the back is also magnificent.

Nan Tei (South Garden)

The Nan Tei (South Garden) is a beautiful strolling pond garden that spans approximately 36,000 square feet, a testament to 14th-century Japanese garden design. Created during the late Kamakura and Nanboku-chō periods, this expansive garden is centered around a large pond and surrounded by vibrant maple trees.

The design features a scenic walkway that allows visitors to stroll along the entire circumference of the pond, providing a new perspective with every step. The pond itself is a tranquil home for beautiful koi carp and serene water lilies, making a walk around its shores a peaceful and immersive experience.

A stone tsukubai (a water basin for purification) is located in the garden. While it is customary to plant low shrubs near the tsukubai, in this case a large black pine tree overshadows it.

The Tsukubai (water basin), a unique and gigantic single rock covered with moss, stands out among the other gardens. Its ancient charm is matched by the majestic pine tree beside it.

Yatsuhashi Bridge spanning the eastern pond in the South Garden. Yatsuhashi is a type of Japanese bridge characterized by its zigzag shape. Often associated with irises due to a waka (Japanese poem) in the Tale of Ise that mentions the combination of yatsuhashi and irises, these bridges are usually built where both elements are planted. In this particular case, however, only the yatsuhashi bridge was built.

There is a arranging rocks representing Mount Penglai, inspired by Chinese mythology. At the summit of the mountain, there are three stones arranged to symbolize the Buddha triad, image of a Buddha attended by two Bodhisattvas, influenced by Buddhist beliefs.

In the Nan Tei garden, there is a two-tiered waterfall that is believed to have been restored in the early Edo period. This waterfall shows the “hanare ochi” style, where the water doesn’t fall on the rock face but separately, creating a unique visual effect. At the base of the waterfall is a “mizu uke ishi” or water-receiving stone.

Best time to visit

Fall Season (Mid to Late November.)

The Tenjuan Garden is adorned with maple trees that turn bright shades of red in the fall. The intensity of the color of the maple leaves varies depending on the amount of sunlight they receive. Because the garden faces east, the maple trees are exposed to different amounts of sunlight, creating a unique gradient of autumn colors that is characteristic of this garden. The peak season for viewing the maple leaves is usually from late November to early December.

Summer Season (Early June to Late July)

The South Garden offers a truly magical experience in summer. The pond is covered in vibrant water lilies that typically bloom from early June to late July, creating a stunning scene on the water’s surface. Below, magnificent and surprisingly friendly koi swim, often gathering near the edge as if anticipating a treat from visitors. The water sometimes ripples mysteriously as these wonderful carp glide through.

The enchanting sight of the water lilies and colorful koi together makes for the perfect photo opportunity. While the South Garden shines in the summer, the East Garden is equally beautiful. It’s a popular destination for viewing fall foliage due to its many maple trees, but visitors can also enjoy the refreshing beauty of its green leaves in the early summer.

Information

Hours and Fees

Open Hours

Holiday

• the New Year’s holiday from December 28th to December 31st.
• From the afternoon of November 11th to the morning of November 12th
• Entry may also be suspended during temporary events.

Entrance Fee

Adults : 500 yen
High school students : 400 yen
Elementary and junior high school students : 300 yen

Payment
Credit Cards: Not accepted.
E-money/Smartphone Payments: Not accepted.
Wi-Fi: Not available.
Smoking: Not permitted.

Camera Policy
The following photography is prohibited at Tenju-an Temple:

• Use of monopods or tripods.
• Photography of models.
• Group photography.
• Photography in wedding dresses, unusual costumes, or inappropriate clothing.

Adress
〒606-8435 Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Nanzenji Fukuchicho, 86−８

How to get to Tenjuan

In the fall, Kyoto’s roads can be quite congested. I recommend taking the train and walking to Tenryu-ji Temple.

• From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Line (Green Line) and get off at Karasuke Oike Station, then transfer to the Tozai Line (Red Line) and get off at Keage Station.
• Or, take the JR line to Yamashina Station(Blue Line), then transfer to the Kyoto Subway Tozai Line(Red Line) and get off at Keage Station.
• It’s 7minute-walking from Keage station to Tenjuan.
  
  While trains are the most reliable way to get there on time, it involves a bit of walking. During less crowded times (outside of March, April, November, and December), consider taking a taxi or using buses for a more direct and comfortable trip.
  
• If you prefer to take the bus, bus No. 5 from Kyoto Station’s North Exit will take you to the Nanzenji Eikando-mich bus stop, which is a 9-minute walk from the shrine. 
• It takes about 22 minutes by taxi from Kyoto Station’s North Exit.

Tourist attractions nearby

• Nanzen-ji Temple (2 minutes walk from Tenju-an)
  
  Nanzen-ji Temple is the head temple of Tenju-an and a Rinzai Zen temple. It was founded in 1291 by Emperor Kameyama at the invitation of Zen master Mukan Fumon. The temple boasts important cultural properties such as the Sanmon Gate and the Karessansui (Japanese dry) garden of the Hojo Hall (abbot’s quarters).
  
• Mizuro-kyo Aqueduct (2-minute walk from Tenju-an)
  
  Mizuro-kyo Aqueduct is a brick and granite arched bridge that carries water from Biwako Lake. Its design harmonizes with the surrounding atmosphere of Nanzen-ji Temple.
  
• Eikan-do Zenrin-ji Temple (7-minute walk from Tenju-an)
  
  Eikan-do Zenrin-ji Temple is the head temple of the Nishiyama Zenrin-ji School of the Jodo sect. Founded in 853 as a training ground for Shingon Buddhist monks, the temple is famous for its stunning fall foliage, earning it the nickname “Momiji-dera” (Maple Temple). It attracts many visitors during the fall foliage season.

Link and Resources

Official Website
Nanzenji Temple(Japanese text only)