Sanjusangendo

The official name of Sanjusangendo（三十三間堂） is Rengeoin. It belongs to the Tendai sect of Buddhism and was built by Emperor Go-Shirakawa in 1164.

The main hall is lined with a total of 1,001 wooden statues, including the seated wooden statue of Senju Kannon (National Treasure), 500 standing wooden statues of Senju Kannon on each side, and a standing wooden statue of Senju Kannon behind the main statue (not exactly 1,001 statues, as some are on loan).The 45-year (1973-2018) repair work on the 1,001 standing wooden statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon was completed and the statues were designated national treasures.

On Sundays close to January 15, a “Toshi-ya” (bow-drawing ceremony) is held on the west side of the 118-meter main hall (archery range), and many people from all over the country participate in the archery competition.

Access to Sanjusangendo from Kyoto Station is by bus, which takes about 7 minutes.