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.
opening hours | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.※Admission until 30 minutes before closing time※9:00 - 16:00 from November 16 to the end of March. |
regular closing day | without a holiday |
entrance fee | Adults 600 yen, junior high and high school students 400 yen, elementary school students 300 yen |
bus stop | City bus Hakubutukan, Sanjusangendo-mae bus stop |
station | Keihan Nanajo Station |
parking lot | Parking available (free) |
official site | Sanjusangendo |