Sanzenin Temple

Sanzen-in Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple located in Ohara, Kyoto. It is said to have originated when Saicho, the founder of the Tendai sect, built a hall beneath a pear tree in the southern valley of the East Pagoda area when he established Mount Hiei. Over the centuries, the temple was relocated multiple times between Mount Hiei, Omi Sakamoto, and central Kyoto, changing its name each time. After the Meiji Restoration, it settled in its current location in Ohara and has continued its 1,200-year history under the name Sanzen-in. Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall, considered the spiritual origin of Sanzen-in, is a simple hall enshrining a radiant Amida Triad Buddha, with the Pure Land world depicted throughout the interior, including the ceiling. The temple grounds are famous for their beautiful gardens covered in cedar moss, with charming Warabe Jizo statues placed throughout, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy seasonal scenery such as cherry blossoms in spring, hydrangeas in early summer, autumn foliage, and the serene beauty of winter. It takes about one hour from Kyoto Station by bus. From the Ohara bus stop, a 10-minute uphill walk through a forest path lined with souvenir shops along the Ryo River leads to Sanzen-in.