Kenninji Temple

Kenninji Temple（建仁寺） is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, founded by Eisai, the founder of Japanese tea ceremony. It was built in imitation of China’s Hyakjōz

At Kenninji Temple, visitors can see “Souryu-zu,” two giant dragons painted on the ceiling of the Hatto, the Wind and Thunder Gods (the original is in the Kyoto National Museum), and paintings on fusuma sliding doors.

The Hojo front garden (karesansui) and Chon-tei, created by Taigen Kobori (supervised by Yasuo Kitayama), are highly recommended.

To get to Kenninji Temple from Kyoto Station, take a 13-minute bus ride and a 5-minute walk from the bus stop.