Kyoto, a city that has contributed to the development of culture and lifestyle as the political center of Japan for over 1,000 years. With its deep historical background, it's a city that captivates everyone, not just history enthusiasts, the more they learn about its charms.
The aristocrats of that time (8th to 12th centuries) were deeply religious and built numerous temples and shrines as proof. This tradition was naturally passed on to the later warlords who ruled the country, resulting in the birth of many famous sites.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan to see these temples and shrines is endless, and now that we've overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers are increasing even more.
According to a survey by Kyoto City, the satisfaction rate for Kyoto tourism is over 98.1%! Among these, temple and shrine tourism has the highest satisfaction rate, with visitors enjoying an unprecedented emotional experience.
This time, I'd like to introduce you to Sanjusangendo Temple, one of Kyoto's representative temples that is unique and offers a heart-stirring experience!
If you are interested in Kyoto's Best Temples and Shrines, check the article below! I summarized Kyoto's Best Temples and Shrines I recommend and how I felt each Temples and Shrines.
sena kanda
Sanjusangendo Temple: A National Treasure Housing 1,001 Kannon Statues
source： Official website
Sanjusangendo Temple (officially named Rengeoin) is a temple located in the Higashiyama area, which could be called Kyoto's tourist mecca.
It houses over 1,000 Senju Kannon (Thousand-Armed Kannon) statues, and the sight of these statues gathered in one place is truly spectacular. While overwhelmed by their power, visitors are also peacefully soothed by their divine yet gentle appearance and expressions.
Many foreign tourists come to Kyoto specifically to experience this mystical encounter at Sanjusangendo Temple.
The main hall, about 120 meters long, is unparalleled among wooden structures worldwide and is designated as a National Treasure.
The recently completed (in 2021) stroll garden with a pond is also beautiful, allowing visitors to appreciate the natural beauty centered on seasonal flowers and lush greenery.
A Temple of Tendai Buddhism
Sanjusangendo Temple is associated with Tendai Buddhism. Tendai is a sect of Mahayana Buddhism originating in China, spread in Japan by the historical monk known as Saicho.
Tendai Buddhism teaches the doctrine of Hokke Ichijo, which states that all people can become Buddha. "Jo" means "vehicle," indicating that regardless of social status, the dead are guided to the world of Buddha on a single vehicle.
Since its construction in 1164, Sanjusangendo Temple has been involved with emperors and numerous warriors, and despite suffering setbacks such as destruction by fire, it has been carefully preserved.
Three Must-See Points at Sanjusangendo Temple
The Impressive Array of Over 1,000 Standing Thousand-Armed Kannon Statues
source： Official website
The sight of 1,000 life-sized standing Kannon statues neatly arranged on tiered platforms in 10 rows is a unique spectacle that can only be seen at Sanjusangendo Temple.
These 1,000 Kannon statues are officially called "Juichimen Senju Sengen Kanzeon Bosatsu" (Eleven-Faced Thousand-Armed Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara). It is said that Kannon took on this form with eleven faces and a thousand arms and eyes to save suffering beings. The "thousand" in Senju Kannon represents infinity, expressing the infinite works of Kannon in saving people.
Senju Kannon is said to have a thousand hands to perceive all worldly events and extend a helping hand to all without exception. It's easy to understand why many people have loved it as a source of spiritual comfort.
Among the 1,000 statues are works by the Unkei and Kaikei schools, arguably the most famous Buddhist sculptors in Japanese history. These have been passed down and restored repeatedly on a national scale for over 700 years.
Please experience the artistic beauty and breathtaking power of these statues, which are the culmination of Japan's traditional creative techniques.
The Main Hall: Japan's Longest at About 120 Meters
As mentioned earlier, the main hall itself, 120 meters long, is also notable for its high historical and rare value.
The name Sanjusangendo comes from the feature of having "33 spaces between pillars" (hashirama) in the inner sanctuary of the large main hall, which is 120 meters long. There's a reason for the number "33" as well, based on the episode that Kannon transforms into "33 forms" to save people.
Even Natsume Soseki, one of Japan's most renowned literary figures, expressed his awe at its scale, saying, "The day is long, Sanjusangendo is long."
The attempt to house and publicly display 1,000 Kannon statues was unprecedented, and it's only fitting for the main hall of Sanjusangendo Temple. It's interesting to stay for a while and try to decipher the unknown world of Buddhism.
Three Buddha Statues" Designated as National Treasures
Seated Thousand-Armed Kannon Statue
source：Official website
The Senju Kannon Zazo is the principal object of worship at Rengeoin and is enshrined in the center of the main hall, surrounded by the standing Thousand-Armed Kannon statues.
Standing 3.35 meters tall, or about 7 meters including the halo behind it, this large seated statue is made using the representative wooden Buddha statue technique of yosegi-zukuri (joined-block construction). It is coated with lacquer and then gilded, emitting a modest radiance.
The statue expresses "thousand arms" with 42 hands and features a strict atmosphere yet a warm expression. Even those who are not devout Buddhists may find themselves wanting to clasp their hands in prayer, as the Kannon statue gives a mysterious sense of comfort.
Wind God and Thunder God Statues
source：Official website
The Wind God (Fujin) and Thunder God (Raijin), familiar in Japan, are gods that appear in the oldest Indian scriptures. As their names suggest, they are primordial deities that personify natural phenomena. While feeling fear towards their majestic and muscular appearance, they seem to express awe and reverence for the natural world that humans cannot control.
After being incorporated into Buddhism, they are said to play the role of protecting the Thousand-Armed Kannon, and here they are placed to guard the 1,000 Kannon statues.
If you look up at the statue from in front of the Thunder God, the ceiling rafters (taruki) look like lightning, doubling the impact. Please give it a try.
Twenty-Eight Attendants
source： Official website
Along with the Wind God and Thunder God, the "Twenty-Eight Attendants" (Nijuhachi Bushu) are worth observing closely here. These Twenty-Eight Attendants are deities originating in ancient India, said to follow the Thousand-Armed Kannon and protect Buddhism and its believers.
All are made using the representative wooden Buddha statue technique of yosegi-zukuri and are colored statues with crystal eyes (gyokugan). Each radiates a completely different individuality, and the sculptures expressing lifelike expressions and postures are said to be masterpieces from the 12th to 14th centuries.
Personally, I'd like you to focus on the "beauty" residing in the details, such as the intricate crafting of the clothing folds, ornaments, and musical instruments held in their hands. The level of sculptural technique is truly eye-opening.
Winter to Spring is the Best Time to Visit Sanjusangendo Temple! 3 Events You Should Experience
The Annual Spring Event "Omato Taikai" Held Every January at Sanjusangendo Temple
source： Official website
An event called the "Omato Taikai" is held during the New Year period (from January 1st to around January 15th). This competition is based on the archery competition called "Toshiya" that was held from the 17th to 19th centuries.
Skilled archers who have newly come of age (young people who have turned 20) and certified practitioners from all over the country gather to compete in their skills.
The Omato Taikai is held in mid-January, close to Japan's Coming of Age Day. The highlight is seeing the young women in beautiful formal kimono (haregi) participating in the competition, coinciding with the coming-of-age ceremony.
Their dignified and radiant brave figures, including the women's appearance, have become a characteristic sight of Kyoto's New Year.
"Yanagi no Okaji," an Indian-Derived Ritual Held on the Same Day as Toshiya
source： Official website
Along with "Toshiya," "Yanagi no Okaji" (Willow Branch Blessing) is another popular event. This is a ritual originating from India and is the most important ceremony with a tradition dating back to the founding of Sanjusangendo Temple. In the ceremony, holy water (housui, meant to purify and remove worldly desires) is poured on worshippers using a willow branch, considered a sacred tree, praying to the Kannon for the removal of various illnesses and for good health.
Specifically, worshippers proceed in front of the 1,001 Kannon statues lined up in the long National Treasure main hall, line up for the blessing, and one by one receive holy water poured on their heads with a willow branch by a high-ranking priest. It's particularly reputed to cure headaches.
"Momo no Houe" Held on March 3rd, Themed Around the Number "3"
source： Official website
"Momo no Houe" (Peach Blossom Festival) is an event held on the Peach Festival (March 3rd), with the triple occurrence of "three" (san in Japanese, meaning three) relating to the name of Sanjusangendo Temple. On this day, Sanjusangendo Temple is open to the public for free, and there are elegant flower offerings and exhibitions by ikebana artists.
You can also experience special events only available on this day, such as viewing the thousand Kannon statues from a special space. Since the Peach Festival is a day to pray for the healthy growth and lifelong happiness of girls, there are also special "peach amulets" and "peach fortune slips" available only for women on this day.
Food trucks are also set up behind the hall, allowing you to enjoy a spring festival atmosphere.
Access
<Facility Information>
- Address: 657 Sanjusangendo Mawarimachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Access:
From JR Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus routes 100, 206, or 208 and get off at Sanjusangendo-mae stop
About 7 minutes walk from Exit 2 of Shichijo Station on the Keihan Main Line
- Visiting Hours: April 1 to November 15: 8:30 - 17:00, November 16 to March 31: 9:00 - 16:00 *Last entry 30 minutes before closing
- Closed: None
- Phone: 075-561-0467
- Admission Fee: Adults 600 yen, Junior and Senior High School Students (13-18 years old) 400 yen, Elementary School Students (6-12 years old) 300 yen
- Official Website
3 Recommended Tourist Spots Near Sanjusangendo Temple to Visit Together
Yougen-in Temple
source： Official website
Why not also visit "Yougen-in Temple" located directly east of Sanjusangendo Temple? This is a place where you can glimpse a dramatic moment in history, with its historical relic called the "Blood Ceiling" (Chitenjo). This ceiling is stained with the blood of over 380 samurai who committed suicide after losing the battle of Fushimi Castle in 1600.
It's said that the floorboards of Fushimi Castle, stained with blood, were used for the ceiling of Yougen-in Temple as a memorial for the souls of the warriors who lost their lives at Fushimi Castle. It makes you realize the great sacrifices that actually occurred in the Warring States period.
Yougen-in Temple has more to offer than just this. You can view the only surviving folding screen paintings by Tawaraya Sotatsu, a genius Japanese painter, making it a tourist spot packed with attractions.
<Facility Information>
- Address: 656 Sanjusangendo Mawari-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Visiting Hours: 10:00 - 15:00 (Last entry 14:45)
- Open Days: Check their Instagram as they have irregular opening days
- Phone: 075-561-3887
- Admission Fee: 600 yen
- Official Website
Chishaku-in Temple
source：Wikipedia
Chishaku-in Temple, a 5-minute walk from Sanjusangendo Temple, is the head temple of the Chisan school of Shingon Buddhism, which has over 3,000 temples nationwide.
While Kyoto has many wonderful gardens, the garden at Chishaku-in Temple is said to be the best in Higashiyama. It's known as a famous garden loved by Sen no Rikyu, a tea master who cherished the heart of "wabi-sabi" (a uniquely Japanese aesthetic sense that values the ephemeral).
The garden shows beautiful expressions in every season, with vibrant satsuki azaleas blooming in spring, fresh green maple leaves and hydrangeas in summer, and beautiful autumn colors in fall.
There's also a shukubo (temple lodging) on the premises where you can stay overnight. It offers valuable experiences unique to this place, including participating in morning services (traditional morning prayers performed by monks), and special guided tours of the famous garden and the numerous National Treasures stored at Chishaku-in Temple by monks.
<Facility Information>
- Address: 964 Higashikawara-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Visiting Hours: 9:00 - 16:30 (Last entry 16:00)
- Closed: [Famous Garden] December 29-31 [Treasure Hall] January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31, December 29-31
- Phone: 075-541-5361
- Admission Fee: [Famous Garden] Adults 500 yen, Junior and Senior High School Students (13-18 years old) 300 yen, Elementary School Students (6-12 years old) 200 yen [Treasure Hall] Adults 500 yen, Junior and Senior High School Students (13-18 years old) 300 yen, Elementary School Students (6-12 years old) 200 yen
Toyokuni Shrine
A 5-minute walk north from Sanjusangendo Temple is "Toyokuni Shrine," associated with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the only warlord who achieved unification of Japan. After Hideyoshi's death, the shrine was temporarily abolished, but during the Meiji era, Hideyoshi's achievements were again praised, and the shrine was restored.
The National Treasure Karamon Gate is said to have been relocated from the castle gate of Fushimi Castle built by Hideyoshi. The carvings on the transom and doors remind us of the splendid legacy of the era when Hideyoshi was at the height of his glory.
There are ema (votive tablets) with motifs related to Hideyoshi, such as the thousand-gourds, and the treasure hall displays items associated with Hideyoshi. In fact, Hideyoshi had deep connections with Sanjusangendo Temple as well, so visiting both can deepen your historical understanding in a more multi-layered way.
<Facility Information>
- Address: 530 Okazaki Chaya-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
- Visiting Hours: Free entry to the shrine grounds [Treasure Hall] 9:00 - 16:30
- Closed: None
- Phone: 075-561-3802
- Admission Fee: Free entry to the shrine grounds [Treasure Hall] 500 yen