Temple & shrine · Kyoto
Tenryu-ji
天龍寺
Tenryu-ji is the great Zen temple of Arashiyama and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded in the 1300s, and its Sogenchi pond garden, attributed to the Zen master Muso Soseki, is one of the oldest of its kind in Japan. The pond and rocks lead your eye out to the hills of Arashiyama.
In the Dharma Hall, the Cloud Dragon painted by Kayama Matazo fills the ceiling. Stand in the centre and its eyes seem to follow you wherever you walk. The Hall opens on weekends, holidays and special periods, including autumn 2026. The north gate leads straight into the bamboo grove.
What to see and do
Kayama Matazo's dragon in a circle on the Dharma Hall ceiling seems to watch you from every angle.
A pond garden attributed to Muso Soseki, framed by the hills of Arashiyama.
Leave by the north gate to walk straight into the Arashiyama bamboo grove.
Zen vegetarian cooking in the temple grounds.
What’s on
Good to know
- Arrive at opening, or at 7:30 during the November early opening, to see the garden before the crowds.
- The Dharma Hall is not open every day; check the dates on the official site.
