Nanzen-ji
Okazaki, Kyoto
1 Dec to 29 Feb
- Daily
- 8:40 to 16:30
Rest of the year
- Daily
- 8:40 to 17:00
Hours are for the Hojo garden and the Sanmon. Last entry 20 minutes before closing. Closed to visitors from 28 to 31 December, open over the New Year.
Source: nanzenji.or.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Nanzen-ji is the head temple of the Nanzen-ji school of Rinzai Zen. Its 22 m Sanmon gate, rebuilt in 1628, has a balcony you can climb, and the Hojo is a National Treasure whose dry garden, credited to Kobori Enshu, is nicknamed the tiger cubs crossing. Out in the grounds, a red-brick aqueduct carries the Lake Biwa Canal, finished in 1890, past the temple.
More photos of Nanzen-ji
Insider tip
The Hojo garden and the Sanmon cost ¥600 each. Nanzen-in, the subtemple, is shut for repairs until spring 2027 apart from a special opening from 1 to 30 November 2026 (¥500). On some November weekends and holidays there's an early visit from 7:30, booked online, for ¥3,000.
What the guides say about Nanzen-ji
Okazaki is Kyoto's museum quarter, round Heian Shrine, with Nanzen-ji a walk east along the Lake Biwa Canal. The Westin Miyako Kyoto is by Keage Station and runs a free bus from Kyoto Station that takes about 25 minutes, and Yachiyo, a ryokan, stands right beside Nanzen-ji. By subway, Higashiyama Station's about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station, changing at Karasuma Oike.
13. Okazaki and the canal. Nanzen-ji's 22 m Sanmon has a balcony you can climb (¥600), and a red-brick aqueduct carries the Lake Biwa Canal past the temple. Walk the rails of the Keage Incline, 582 m of old boat railway, for free. Murin-an lets in 15 people at a time on hourly slots you book online.
Tickets and tours
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What's on at Nanzen-ji
Upcoming events at Nanzen-ji and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Nanzen-ji Culture Course
令和8年 南禅寺文化講座
Time 9:00 to 11:45, reception from 8:00, enter by 8:40 Station Keage (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
Two lectures and a seated zazen instruction session, with 100 places on a first-come basis.
Marmontel, CC BY 2.0 Nanzen-ji Early Morning Special Opening
南禅寺 秋の早朝特別拝観
Time 7:30 to 8:20 (meet at 7:20, about 50 minutes), Nanzen-in from 8:40; booking by online form, closes 3 days before at 16:00 Station Keage Station (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
A monk guides a group of 30 through the normally closed Seiryoden Ohiru-no-ma of the Hojo and the inner sanctum of the Sanmon gate. Photography is banned, guidance is in Japanese, and the ticket includes entry to Nanzen-in afterwards. Held only on 3, 7, 8, 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29 Nov.
Marmontel, CC BY 2.0 Okazaki Sakura Kairo Jikkokubune cherry blossom boats
岡崎さくら回廊 十石舟めぐり
Time 9:30-16:30 every 15 min
Boat rides along the Okazaki canal under the cherry trees from Nanzenji Funatamari, with a departure every 15 minutes from 9:30 to 16:30. Extra boats may run.
Marmontel, CC BY 2.0 Yamagata Aritomo, As He Really Was at Murin-an
企画展示「ありのままの山縣有朋」
Time 9:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:30 Station Keage (Tozai Line), 6 min walk
Student exhibition on the garden's builder, held with the Kyoto Modern Architecture Festival.
Daderot, Public domain Twilight Garden Party at Murin-an
秋の紅葉特別夜間公開 トワイライト庭園パーティー2026
Time Nov 14, 15, 21, 22 and 23. Sessions 17:30 to 19:30 and 19:30 to 21:30 Station Keage (Tozai Line), 6 min walk
Evening autumn foliage opening with café access and a short garden commentary, 30 guests per session.
Daderot, Public domain Smaller local events nearby
Morning zazen at Nanzen-ji Festival
6 dates from 25 Oct to 10 Jan (dates to be confirmed) · Nanzen-ji, Ryuenkaku, Okazaki
Zazen with a dharma talk at 6:00, about one hour, arrive 10 minutes early.
Map · Source: Nanzen-ji · 南禅寺 暁天坐禅
Sutra copying at Nanzen-ji Festival
Sun 15 Nov, Tue 15 Dec, Fri 15 Jan (dates to be confirmed) · Nanzen-ji, Ryuenkaku, Okazaki
Starts at 13:00, 1,000 yen donation, arrive 10 minutes early.
Map · Source: Nanzen-ji · 南禅寺 写経会
Nearby
Around Okazaki
Art museums, Meiji gardens and Nanzen-ji along the Lake Biwa Canal
Okazaki is Kyoto's museum quarter. Two art museums sit either side of the approach to Heian Shrine, by its giant torii, and the zoo, a crafts museum and ROHM Theatre Kyoto are a few minutes away round Okazaki Park. Follow the Lake Biwa Canal east and you're at Nanzen-ji, with Eikan-do and Murin-an a short walk from its gate.
Okazaki has 27 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 9 shrines and temples, 6 museums, 4 restaurants, 2 cafes, 2 shops, 2 landmarks and 2 parks and gardens. Read the Okazaki guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Nanzen-ji?
- Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都府京都市左京区南禅寺福地町).
- What are the opening hours of Nanzen-ji?
- 1 Dec to 29 Feb: Daily 8:40 to 16:30. Rest of the year: Daily 8:40 to 17:00. Hours are for the Hojo garden and the Sanmon. Last entry 20 minutes before closing. Closed to visitors from 28 to 31 December, open over the New Year.
- How do I get to Nanzen-ji?
- The nearest station is Keage (Tozai Line). Nanzen-ji is in Okazaki, Kyoto.
- How much does Nanzen-ji cost?
- Nanzen-ji is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Nanzen-ji?
- Plan for 1-2 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Nanzen-ji?
- Weekday mornings.
Stay near Nanzen-ji
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