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All Japan Kyoto Tenryu-Ji Shrine's Bamboo Trail

Tenryu-Ji Shrine's Bamboo Trail

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese shrine.

Kyoto, Japan

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About

Heavenly Dragon Temple, or Tenryu-ji, is best known for its zen garden, a long and winding path lined with thousands of towering bamboo stalks.

Tenryū-ji — more formally known as Tenryū Shiseizen-ji — is the head temple of the Tenryū branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339 and originally headed by Musō Soseki, the temple was built primarily to venerate Gautama Buddha. While the rest of the temple was rebuilt after burning down, the zen garden has survived, uninterrupted, since its planting.

As a temple related to both the Ashikaga family and Emperor Go-Daigo, the temple is held in high esteem, and is ranked number one among Kyoto's so-called Five Mountains, or Kyoto Gozan. In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto".

The bamboo trail can be accessed via the North Gate.

Related Tags

Sacred Spaces Shrines

Know Before You Go

You can arrive at Tenryu-ji by city bus or by JR train from Kyoto station to Saga Arashiyama station (嵯峨嵐山駅). take the south exit and walk down the street for about 200 meters (220 yards), then make a right turn just before you get to the train tracks (different line). You will walk straight into Tenryu-ji after 350 meters (380 yards).

Despite its supposed name, the bamboo trail is located outside the grounds of Tenryu-ji Temple. It’s also known as the Sagano Bamboo Forest.

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Added By

bebeto

Edited By

Rachel, nannaskytte, mikewalker, Fred Cherrygarden...

  • Rachel
  • nannaskytte
  • mikewalker
  • Fred Cherrygarden
  • jassysoren
  • AFJAGExplores

Published

July 7, 2010

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Tenryu-Ji Shrine's Bamboo Trail
Ukyō
Kyoto, 616-8385
Japan
35.015828, 135.673771

Nearby Places

Sagano Bamboo Forest

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Okochi Sanso Gardens

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Kimono Forest

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan

Places 46
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Sagano Bamboo Forest

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Okochi Sanso Gardens

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Kimono Forest

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan

Places 46
Stories 5

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