Attractions > Kyoto > Shrines Temples > Kyoto East

About | Access | Hotels & Lodging | Hours & Fees

Sanjusangendo Kyoto Japan by Alberto Carrasco Casado, CC BY 2.0

 

About

Sanjusangendo (in Japanese; Sanjyusan Gendo 三十三間堂), which literally means "Hall with thirty three spaces between columns" (an ancient way of measuring a building's size), is a famous temple at Eastern Kyoto where it contains 1001 statues of Kannon, the Japanese goddess of mercy. Officially it is called "Rengeo-in" which means "Hall of the Lotus King" in Japanese. It was built in 1164 under the orders of the them Emperor Go-Shirakawa but in 1249 it sufferred a major fire and was rebuilt in 1266. The 1001 statues contain heads to better witness the suffering of humans and with 1000 arms to better help them fight the suffering.

A very popular archery tournament called "Toshiya" has been held here since the Edo period and there is a legend tale of two famous warriors, Miyamoto Musashi and Yoshioka Denshichiro, who fought just outside the temple in 1604.

 

Access

Closest Train Station: Shichijo

657 Sanjusangendo Mawaricho
Kyoto, Kyoto 605-0941 Japan

Tel: 075-561-0467

A 5-10min. walk from Shichijo station.

Google Map

 

Hotels & Lodging

Recommended

View a full list of Hotels and Lodging in or nearby Sanjusangendo.

 

Hours & Fees

Hours: The grounds of Shrines and Temples are generally open 27/7, 365 days a year but, many set their own hours. If hours are set, they are generally open from 9:00 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. in the morning and close around 4:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. in the evening.

Cost: The general grounds of Shrines and Temples are free but may charge a small fee (a couple/few hundred yen) for special gardens, exhibitions, artifact viewing, etc.

Information presented is based on the time it was created. There may be changes since publication. Please confirm information by visiting the Official Website before visiting.

 

Resources

Website: Sanjusangendo Homepage