Nanzen-ji
南禅寺 · Buddhist temple
Nanzen-ji is the head temple of its branch of the Rinzai school. The temple's own grounds guide lists the Chokushimon and Sanmon gates as Important Cultural Properties and the Hojo as a National Treasure.
The temple names the Chokushimon and Sanmon gates, the Hatto hall, the Honbo and Hojo with its garden, and the Sosui aqueduct that crosses the grounds.
Hours
The times below are the times published by the temple. Admission closes 20 minutes before.
| 1 March – 30 November | 8:40–17:00, admission closes 20 minutes beforeNanzen-ji — visiting hours and fees |
|---|---|
| 1 December – 28 February | 8:40–16:30, admission closes 20 minutes beforeNanzen-ji — visiting hours and fees |
| Closed | 28–31 DecemberNanzen-ji — visiting hours and fees |
Admission
| Hojo garden — general | 600 yen |
|---|---|
| Hojo garden — high school | 500 yen |
| Hojo garden — primary and junior high | 400 yen |
| Sanmon gate — general | 600 yen |
| Sanmon gate — high school | 500 yen |
| Sanmon gate — primary and junior high | 400 yen |
Getting there
- Keage Station — about 10 minutes on foot
- Nanzenji Eikandomichi bus stop — about 10 minutes on foot
Address: Fukuchi-cho, Nanzenji, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Nanzen-in is closed
The temple has posted that Nanzen-in is closed to visitors because building work has been extended, and that it will stay closed until spring 2027. The main grounds, the Hojo garden and the Sanmon gate remain open.
This is separate from the regular hours above. The dates change from year to year and are not confirmed here — check the temple's own site before planning around it. Nanzen-ji — notice on Nanzen-in
Where this fits in the walk
Nanzen-ji is the last stop. It closes at 17:00 from March to November and at 16:30 in winter, with admission ending twenty minutes earlier.
This shows the order of the walk. It is a diagram, not a map, and not to scale. Walking times are map-route estimates between the listed locations.
Sources
| History and background, What you can see | Nanzen-ji — buildings and grounds |
|---|---|
| 1 March – 30 November, 1 December – 28 February, Closed, Admission | Nanzen-ji — visiting hours and fees |
| Getting there | Kyoto City Official Travel Guide — Nanzen-ji |
| Nanzen-in is closed | Nanzen-ji — notice on Nanzen-in |
Information checked: September 4, 2026.