Tenjuan Temple Travel Guide

Tenjuan Temple, nestled in the Sakyo Ward of Kyoto, is a sub-temple of the larger Nanzen-ji Temple complex. Established in 1339 by Kokan Shiren, the 15th abbot of Nanzen-ji, it initially served as a lodging attached to the founder's stupa. The temple was destroyed during the Onin War (1467-1477) but was reconstructed in 1602 with the support of Hosokawa Yuzai. Tenjuan is renowned for its two distinct gardens: the karesansui (Japanese dry garden) called Enmoku Garden (East Garden) and the Nan Tei (South Garden), a pond garden. The Enmoku Garden, designed by Kobori Enshu, an Edo period garden designer, features rectangular stones, black pine trees, and white gravel. The Nan Tei garden offers a more natural landscape with a pond, waterfalls, stepping stones, koi fish, and maple and pine trees. The temple's main hall, gate, and study hall were rebuilt in the early 17th century.Tenjuan is particularly beautiful during the autumn when the leaves change color, and the gardens are illuminated at night. The temple also features a Kuri, which served as the living quarters for the priests, and a Daishoin, a large building where monks study.