Kennin-ji Temple, Kyoto: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Kennin-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, who introduced Rinzai Zen and tea cultivation to Japan after studying in China—the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. The Dharma Hall ceiling features Twin Dragons, a massive ink painting by Koizumi Junsaku completed in 2002, spanning 11.4 by 15.7 meters. The Chōontei garden, a dry landscape of raked gravel and moss, is visible from a wooden veranda. Folding screens by Tawaraya Sōtatsu depicting the Wind and Thunder Gods are among the temple’s most celebrated works. is just one of many options in Kyoto. Major attractions worth considering include Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion), Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyu), and Ryoan-ji Temple & Garden.