Nanzen-ji Temple
By Andrew Liyan · Last updated: September 28, 2026
Nanzen-ji is the head temple of the Nanzen-ji school of Rinzai Zen, at the foot of the eastern hills at the south end of the Philosopher's Path. Its grounds and the brick Lake Biwa Canal aqueduct that runs through them are free; the Hojo, with its dry garden, and the upper floor of the Sanmon gate cost ¥600 each. Both are open 8:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (4:30 p.m. from December to February).
- Area
- Okazaki / Higashiyama
- Best For
- Zen Gardens, Architecture, Autumn Foliage, Free Grounds
Visiting Nanzen-ji Temple
Nanzen-ji stands at the foot of the Higashiyama hills, a short walk from Keage Station and the southern end of the Philosopher's Path. It is the head temple of the Nanzen-ji school of Rinzai Zen; the charter written by Emperor Kameyama in 1299 recording its founding is a National Treasure. The grounds are open to walk through, and several sub-temples around them charge their own admission.
The Sanmon, about 22 meters high, was rebuilt in 1628 by the warlord Todo Takatora in memory of retainers killed at the siege of Osaka, and is counted among the three great gates of Japan; in kabuki, the thief Ishikawa Goemon admires the view from its balcony.
The Hojo, beyond the gate, is a National Treasure: the larger hall came from the imperial palace in 1611, and the smaller one, said to come from Fushimi Castle, holds the Tiger Room, 40 panels of tigers attributed to Kano Tan'yu. Of the Kano paintings in the main hall, 84 of 124 panels were moved to storage in 2011 and replaced with color reproductions. In front lies the dry garden known as Tiger Cubs Crossing the River, attributed to Kobori Enshu.
Behind the Hojo, the Suirokaku is a red-brick aqueduct built for the Lake Biwa Canal, completed in 1890, that still carries water through the temple grounds. Nanzen-in, the sub-temple beyond it, is closed until spring 2027 while work on its roof is completed.
A visit to Nanzen-ji, in order
Short answer
Walk up through the Sanmon, past the Hatto hall to the Hojo, then round to the aqueduct behind it.
Free below; ¥600 for the balcony
Sanmon gate
The 22-meter gate of 1628, with the view the kabuki thief Goemon admired.
On the way
Hatto
The Dharma hall, on the main axis behind the gate.
¥600
Hojo
Shoes off; the Tiger Cubs garden, the Tiger Room and two smaller gardens.
Free
Suirokaku aqueduct
The Lake Biwa Canal on red-brick arches, beside the Hojo.
When to go
Short answer
Paid areas open at 8:40 a.m. all year. November is the busiest month; early weekday mornings are calmest.
- March to November
- 8:40 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; last entry 4:40 p.m.
- December to February
- 8:40 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; last entry 4:10 p.m.
- Mid to late November
- Maples at their peak; the car park may be kept for coaches.
- December 28 to 31
- Closed to general visitors; open over New Year.
Fitting Nanzen-ji into a day
Short answer
Nanzen-ji is the southern end of a half day on foot through northern Higashiyama and Okazaki.
North on foot
Philosopher's Path
Walk the canal to Ginkaku-ji, or finish here coming south: Philosopher's Path.
North-west across Okazaki
Heian Shrine
Heian Shrine and its garden, with the Okazaki museums on the way.
Just north
Eikan-do
The neighboring temple, famous for autumn maples; separately ticketed.
Better on another day
Arashiyama
On the far side of the city; give it its own day.
Things to do at Nanzen-ji
The Sanmon gate
Walking through the gate at ground level is free. The ¥600 ticket takes you up a steep stair to the upper storey, the Goho-ro, whose balcony looks out over the temple and the city. Inside the upper floor are a crowned Shaka Buddha, the sixteen arhats and a ceiling painted with phoenixes and celestial beings.
The Hojo and its gardens
Shoes come off here; the temple hands out a plastic bag to carry them in, which you take home afterwards. You follow the verandas around the halls. The main garden, a strip of white gravel and large stones laid on their side against a plastered wall, is known as Tiger Cubs Crossing the River and has been a Place of Scenic Beauty since 1951. Two smaller gardens, the Nyoshin-tei of 1966 and the moss Rokudo-tei, lie behind. A tea seat is open from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closed from noon to 1:00 p.m.
The Suirokaku aqueduct
Beside the Hojo, the canal crosses the grounds on a brick aqueduct with Roman-style arches, free to walk under. The canal was built from 1885 to 1890 to bring water, transport and later hydroelectric power from Lake Biwa to Kyoto.
How to Get to Nanzen-ji Temple
Nanzen-ji is at the foot of the eastern hills, south of the Philosopher's Path. The subway to Keage is the most reliable way there.
From Kyoto Station
Take the Karasuma subway line to Karasuma Oike and change to the Tozai Line for Keage, then walk about 10 minutes. The Nejiri-manpo, a brick tunnel under the old incline railway, is the shortcut to the temple.
By bus
Get off at Higashi Tennocho or Nanzenji Eikando-michi, both about 10 minutes on foot. Buses are slow and crowded in November.
On foot
The Philosopher's Path ends just north of the temple, and Heian Shrine is across Okazaki to the north-west.
By car
The temple car park charges ¥1,000 for two hours; from mid-November to mid-December it may be kept for coaches.
- •Keage Station (Tozai Line), then 10 minutes on foot through the Nejiri-manpo tunnel.
- •The grounds are paved but have slopes, gravel and steps; the Hojo lends an indoor wheelchair.
Best Time to Visit Nanzen-ji Temple
Mid to late November for the maples; an early weekday morning at other times.
- •Paid areas open 8:40 a.m.; last entry is 20 minutes before the 5:00 p.m. close (4:30 p.m. from December to February).
- •The maples peak from mid to late November, when the temple and the buses are at their busiest.
- •From December 28 to 31 the temple is closed to general visitors; it stays open over New Year.
Maples around the Sanmon and the aqueduct; the busiest weeks of the year.
Paid areas close at 4:30 p.m.; closed to general visitors December 28 to 31.
Entry Fee & Hours
| Category | Price (JPY) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | ¥600 | ~$4 |
| High school student | ¥500 | ~$3.3 |
| Elementary and junior high school student | ¥400 | ~$2.7 |
| Category | Price (JPY) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | ¥600 | ~$4 |
| High school student | ¥500 | ~$3.3 |
| Elementary and junior high school student | ¥400 | ~$2.7 |
- •The grounds and the aqueduct are free. Nanzen-in (¥500) is closed until spring 2027. Visitors with a disability certificate and one companion enter free.
- •Groups of 30 or more pay reduced rates. Sub-temples such as Tenju-an and Konchi-in charge their own admission.
Nearby Attractions
Places to pair with Nanzen-ji
Philosopher's Path
Heian Shrine
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Two ways to fit Nanzen-ji in
Both use Keage Station on the Tozai Line.
Nanzen-ji morning
Two to three hours.
8:40 a.m.
The Hojo garden as it opens.
Mid-morning
The Sanmon balcony, then the aqueduct.
Late morning
Walk north onto the Philosopher's Path.
Northern Higashiyama south to north
A full day on foot.
Morning
Nanzen-ji and the aqueduct.
Midday
The Philosopher's Path north.
Afternoon
Ginkaku-ji before its closing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
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