Tenryu-ji Temple

桜の名所
紅葉の名所
世界遺産
★ ミシュラングリーンガイド一ツ星

History

In 1339 (the second year of Rekiou era / fourth year of Engen era), August, after Emperor died, Zen Buddhist Soseki Musou suggested Takauji Asikaga to establish the temple to hold a memorial service to Bodai, the temple was formed upon the permission letter of Ex-Emperor Kougen. The place of Tenryu-ji used to be the vacant lot of Danrin-ji established by Empress Kachiko Tachibana of Emperor Saga at the beginning of Heian period, and after Danrin-ji was collapsed after four century was passed and Emperor Godaigo established the Sendou imperial palace and his prince (Emperor Kameyama) formed the detached palace with the name of Kameyama-den
“Kameyama” is the another name of Ogurayama being famous for red leaves locating at the west side of Tenryu-ji, was named with the reason it’s shape looked like a turtle. The mountain name of Reigisan was named upon the same reason. Tenryu-ji is the one that was changed to the temple from the detached palace of Kameyamaden being Daigaku-ji (descent of Emperor Godaogo). In order to obtain the found of construction, even it was ceased from the Mongolian invasion times, the training with China was restarted, and the trading vessel with the name of Tenryuu-ji sen was came and back to China and contributed the development of economy and culture
In 1345 (fourth year of Kouei era), Autumn, Rakukei-kuyou (opening ceremony of temple) was held actively in connection with the seventh memorial service of Emperor Godaigo. The area of this temple was so vast such as to expanded originally to the Katabirano-tsuji station of Keifuku Railway and reached to Togetsukyo and Tenryuu-ji, and had more than 130 subsidiaries.
After that, the building was collapsed due to several fire occurred. In 1358 (third year of Enbun era), Kumyo Shyunno reconstructed it and did again after the fire occurred in 1380 (sixth year of Jyouji era). In 1373 (third year of Ouan era) it was again fired and reconstructed in the following year. Furthermore, in 1380 (second year of Kouryaku era), even lots of formal documents were burned down, and in 1447 (fourth year of Bunann era), most of temple except Ungo-an was burned down. In 1467 (first year of Ounin era), this temple was again burned down due to the war-tone of Ounin-no-ran and burned down six times in fact.
After Ounin-no-ran, the reconstruction was proceeded, but it was not gone well until the dedication of Hideyoshi Toyotomi as the damage was so sever. After that, the temple was steady for a while, but it was burned down in 1815 (twelve year of Bunka era), and used as the rest station of Chousyu military in 1864 (first year of Geni era) at the end of Bakufu), was damaged by involved in the Ogurimon coup.
After the second half of Meiji period, the reconstruction was proceeded and Daihoujin and Koden in Meiji 32, and Shouhoujyo in 13 Taisho period, and Tapou-den were completed in 9 Shouwa period. The garden (special place of scenic beauty) made by Soseki Musou located in the west side of Houjyo, shows slightly a sign of the temple at the beginning. At the north side of Houjyo, there is a mausoleum of Emperor Kameyama managed by Imperial Household Agency and Emperor Godaigo.

translation:MAKOTO

Attraction

The garden registered as Special Place of Scenic Beauty is the dawn that Takauji Asikaga established to hold a memorial service for the deceased Emperor Godaigo at the vacant lot of the detached palace of Ex-Emperor and Kameyama-den. It shows gorge and falls combined with stones in the pond at the circuit style garden made by Soseki Musou, with the borrowed scenery of Arashiyama. It is said that it was a first time to give the concept of thinking in the garden, and you may enjoy the cherry blossom at spring and red leaves at the Automn around all seasons with the borrowed scenery of Kameyama and Arashiyama
In addition, this was registered firstly as History Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty in Japan.

translation:MAKOTO

Cherry Blossom

It is worth to look at Yamazakura (mountain cherry blossom), Shizare-Sakura, Somei-Yoshino and Yaezakura
There is cherry blossom all around nearby Tahou-den
The number of cherry blossom tree are approx.. 2,000 pieces

translation:MAKOTO

Unryu-zu in the lecture hall

In Heisei period 9, the Unryu-zu (Picture of Dragon) was painted by the Japanese famous paintor Matazou Kayama as the 650 years memorial ceremony of the opening of Tenryu-ji. Even this lecture hall is open only at weekend and holidays,

translation:MAKOTO

Michelin Green Guide

Tenryu-ji and its garden has a one star rating.

Address: 68, Tenryu-ji Susukinobaba-cho, Ukyou-ku, Kyoto-City, 616-8385
TEL: +81-75-881-1235（8:30～17:30）
Formal Name: Reigisan Tenryuji Seizenji
Sangou (Mountain Name): Reigisan
Sect: Rinzai sect. Tenryu-ji school
Idol: Shakanyorai
Date Founded: 1345 (the fourth year of Kouei era)
Founding Patron: Takauji Asikaga, Soseki Musou
Cultural Properties: Garden (National Treasures, Historical Site, Special Place of Scenic Beauty). Kenbontyakusyoku Musoukokusi-zou, Kenbontyaku Kanzemibosatu-zou (national Treasures, Important Cultural Properties), Chokusi-mon, Naka-mon (Prefectural and National Treasures)
Admission: Over high-school (500 yen), Junior high-school and elementary school (300 yen), Preschool child (Free)
Hours: 08:30～17:00
Parking: Available (100 spaces, 1000 yen/day)
Access Guide: Get off at Arashiyama Station of Hankyu-Arashiyama Line and approx. 15 minutes walk to reach the park mentioned.
Get off at Arashiyma Station of Keifuku Electric Rail Way, Arashiyama Line and approx. 1 minutes walk to reach the park mentioned
Get off at Arashiyama Tenryujimae station of municipal buss and approx. 1 minute walk.
Official Website: https://www.tenryuji.com/
Notes: Service time of lecture hall (Unryuu-zu), Saturday, Sunday and national holiday, 9:00～16:30