Sennyū-ji Temple

Welcome to Sennyu-ji, a temple hidden in the lush hills of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. Known formally as 'Mi-tera' or the 'Imperial Temple,' Sennyu-ji has served as the mortuary temple for the imperial family and the…

Upon entering the temple grounds, your first stop to the left is the Yang Guifei Guanyin-do. This hall houses a strikingly beautiful statue of the Bodhisattva Kannon, which is said to have been carved in the image of Yang Guifei,…

Continuing down the path, we reach the Butsuden, or Buddha Hall, the central spiritual heart of Sennyu-ji. This impressive structure was reconstructed in 1668 by the fourth Tokugawa Shogun, Ietsuna. …

Sennyu-ji is home to one of the largest 'Nehan-zu' or Nirvana paintings in Japan, used during the annual Nirvana service in March. This staggering work of art measures approximately 8 meters wide and 16 meters tall. …

The Gozasho is a unique building within the temple complex, serving as a private residence for members of the imperial family when they visited the temple to pay their respects to their ancestors. The current structure was moved…

Adjacent to the Gozasho is one of Kyoto's most beautiful and least-visited gardens. This landscape garden was created at the request of the imperial family and is designed to showcase the beauty of each season. …

Finally, no visit to Sennyu-ji is complete without experiencing its unique culinary heritage. The temple is famous for a special kind of 'Dorayaki'—a traditional Japanese sweet. …

As we conclude our tour of Sennyu-ji, the temple of the 'Bubbling Spring,' we reflect on its unique position as a sanctuary for the Japanese soul. We have descended the 'sagari-sando' to separate ourselves from the world,…