Kennin-ji Temple

Religious spot
★ 4.9 (35K+ reviews) • 445K+ booked
Immerse yourself in the serene beauty and rich history of Kennin-ji Temple, a prominent Zen Buddhist temple nestled in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. Discover the allure of this ancient temple as you explore its stunning architecture, tranquil gardens, and intricate artwork. As one of the oldest Zen temples in Kyoto, Kenninji offers a unique blend of spirituality and artistry that captivates visitors from around the world. Experience the serene beauty and rich history of Kennin-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan.
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584番地 Komatsuchō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0811, Japan

The best of Kennin-ji Temple

Bucket-list experiences

Nidec Kyoto Tower Ticket
Observation decks • Kyoto

Nidec Kyoto Tower Ticket

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★ 4.6 (2,025) • 40K+ booked
RM 28.00
Kyoto Railway Museum Ticket
Museums • Kyoto

Kyoto Railway Museum Ticket

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★ 4.8 (782) • 20K+ booked
RM 45.95
Kimono Rental, Japanese Makeup & Photoshoot by Ookini Kiyomizudera
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kimono Rental, Japanese Makeup & Photoshoot by Ookini Kiyomizudera

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Morning departure
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★ 4.8 (736) • 10K+ booked
From RM 81.09
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Kyoto Kiyomizudera: Kimono, Yukata, Makeup, Photography by MOCOMOCO
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kyoto Kiyomizudera: Kimono, Yukata, Makeup, Photography by MOCOMOCO

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★ 4.9 (809) • 5K+ booked
From RM 86.29
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Kyoto Kimono and Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Kyoto
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Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kyoto Kimono and Yukata Rental at Kimono Miyabi Kyoto

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Morning departure
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★ 4.7 (2,511) • 30K+ booked
From RM 82.35
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Tea Ceremony Class Experience in Kyoto
Tours • Kyoto

Tea Ceremony Class Experience in Kyoto

Morning departure
Up to 3 hrs
Free cancellation
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★ 4.3 (416) • 10K+ booked
From RM 36.39
Monet: The Late Waterscapes Exhibition (Kyoto)
Museums • Kyoto

Monet: The Late Waterscapes Exhibition (Kyoto)

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★ 4.8 (24) • 1K+ booked
RM 70.05
Kyoto Kimono Rental Experience (Kyoto Kimono Rei Kiyomizu Store)
Klook's choice
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kyoto Kimono Rental Experience (Kyoto Kimono Rei Kiyomizu Store)

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★ 4.8 (430) • 4K+ booked
From RM 78.45
Kimono Rental Experience in Kyoto by KANWA Yasaka Shrine Branch
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kimono Rental Experience in Kyoto by KANWA Yasaka Shrine Branch

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★ 4.8 (1,092) • 10K+ booked
From RM 87.45
30 off
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Kyoto Kimono Rental by Ookini Kimono Rental Yasaka Shrine Gion Store
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kyoto Kimono Rental by Ookini Kimono Rental Yasaka Shrine Gion Store

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★ 4.8 (442) • 8K+ booked
From RM 81.09
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Kyoto Aquarium Admission Ticket
Zoos & aquariums • Kyoto

Kyoto Aquarium Admission Ticket

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★ 4.6 (509) • 10K+ booked
RM 73.10
TOEI Kyoto Studio Park Ticket
Theme parks • Kyoto

TOEI Kyoto Studio Park Ticket

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★ 4.5 (466) • 10K+ booked
From RM 86.00

Make it a getaway

Hotel Forza Kyoto Shijo Kawaramachi
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.9 (1,174) • 100+ booked
From RM 234.66
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.9 (2,719) • 100+ booked
From RM 565.24
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Kiyomizu Gojo
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.9 (719) • 50+ booked
From RM 245.90
Hop Inn Kyoto Shijo Omiya
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.9 (124) • 50+ booked
From RM 204.44
Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shijo
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.6 (981)
From RM 377.21
Good Nature Hotel Kyoto
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.7 (421)
From RM 690.15
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Shijokarasuma
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.9 (1,006) • 50+ booked
From RM 233.17
THE POCKET HOTEL Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.9 (416)
From RM 183.84
Oriental Hotel Kyoto Rokujo
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.8 (940)
From RM 288.33
The OneFive Kyoto Shijo
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.8 (861)
From RM 178.37
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Kyoto-Hachijoguchi
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.9 (960) • 100+ booked
From RM 236.94
Richmond Hotel Premier Kyoto Shijo
Hotels • Kyoto

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★ 4.6 (42) • 50+ booked
From RM 529.46

Trouble-free transport

Kyoto City Subway and Bus 1 Day Ticket
Rail passes • Kyoto

Kyoto City Subway and Bus 1 Day Ticket

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★ 4.8 (12) • 3K+ booked
RM 37.19
JR Sanyo-San'in Area Pass
Rail passes • Kyoto

JR Sanyo-San'in Area Pass

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★ 4.9 (1,971) • 30K+ booked
RM 692.15
RM 700.59
Free 3GB eSIM (worth JP¥1,200)
Randen Pass
Rail passes • Kyoto

Randen Pass

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★ 4.4 (835) • 10K+ booked
From RM 21.00
RM 21.35
Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass
Rail passes • Kyoto

Eizan Railway Ee Kippu 1-Day Pass

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★ 4.8 (129) • 3K+ booked
RM 36.55
Kyoto car rentals | Rent a car for Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kiyomizu Temple, Golden Temple Kyoto, Osaka International Airport
From RM 199
RM 282.95
30 off
Kyoto Private Car Rental with Driver
Car charters • Kyoto

Kyoto Private Car Rental with Driver

Customized itinerary
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★ 4.8 (11) • 1K+ booked
From RM 1,713.39
Tokyo to Kyoto - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Train tickets • Kyoto (From Tokyo)

Tokyo to Kyoto - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket

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RM 411.20
Shinagawa to Kyoto - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket
Train tickets • Kyoto (From Tokyo)

Shinagawa to Kyoto - Japan Rail Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Ticket

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RM 411.20
Kinosaki train ticket: Kyoto to Kinosaki Onsen
Train tickets • Kyoto

Kinosaki train ticket: Kyoto to Kinosaki Onsen

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New Activity
RM 157.49
Super Hakuto train ticket: Kyoto to Tottori
Train tickets • Kyoto

Super Hakuto train ticket: Kyoto to Tottori

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New Activity
RM 262.59
Kyoto - Tokyo Night Bus by VIP Liner
Buses • Tokyo (From Kyoto)

Kyoto - Tokyo Night Bus by VIP Liner

★ 4.4 (116) • 2K+ booked
From RM 268.05

All that's good & tasty

Gion Kawakami (祇園川上) in Kyoto Gion
Food & dining • Kyoto

Gion Kawakami (祇園川上) in Kyoto Gion

★ 4.5 (79) • 2K+ booked
From RM 234.55
Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

Nanzenji Junsei Traditional Tofu Kaiseki Cuisine - Kyoto

Free cancellation
★ 4.6 (229) • 7K+ booked
From RM 161.25
Guenpin in Gion- Puffer Fish Specialist
Food & dining • Kyoto

Guenpin in Gion- Puffer Fish Specialist

Free cancellation
★ 4.5 (429) • 6K+ booked
From RM 174.75
Gion Maruyama (祇园丸山) and Kenninji Gion Maruyama - Michelin Starred Kaiseki in Kyoto Gion
Food & dining • Kyoto

Gion Maruyama (祇园丸山) and Kenninji Gion Maruyama - Michelin Starred Kaiseki in Kyoto Gion

Free cancellation
★ 5.0 (8) • 500+ booked
From RM 319.85
Nikuyanodaidokoro - Wagyu Beef Roasted Meati in Kyoto,Sanjo Kawaramachi
Food & dining • Kyoto

Nikuyanodaidokoro - Wagyu Beef Roasted Meati in Kyoto,Sanjo Kawaramachi

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★ 3.6 (5) • 200+ booked
From RM 106.60
Yamabana Heihachidiya in Kyoto - Centuries old Japanese Traditional Kaiseki
Food & dining • Kyoto

Yamabana Heihachidiya in Kyoto - Centuries old Japanese Traditional Kaiseki

Free cancellation
★ 4.8 (17) • 700+ booked
From RM 143.35
Kameya Honke in Omiya - Traditional Tofu & Yuba Kaiseki
Food & dining • Kyoto

Kameya Honke in Omiya - Traditional Tofu & Yuba Kaiseki

Free cancellation
★ 4.8 (32) • 800+ booked
From RM 175.15
Tempura Endo Yasaka (天ぷら八坂圓堂)  Tempura in Gion Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

Tempura Endo Yasaka (天ぷら八坂圓堂) Tempura in Gion Kyoto

★ 4.8 (13) • 800+ booked
From RM 344.19
Michelin 2 Stars Wagokoro Izumi - Kaiseki in Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

Michelin 2 Stars Wagokoro Izumi - Kaiseki in Kyoto

50+ booked
From RM 546.45
Kichisen in Kyoto Gion - Michelin Three Starred Kaiseki Restaurant
Food & dining • Kyoto

Kichisen in Kyoto Gion - Michelin Three Starred Kaiseki Restaurant

★ 4.7 (12) • 1K+ booked
From RM 694.49
One-Michelin star Shuhaku in Kyoto
Food & dining • Kyoto

One-Michelin star Shuhaku in Kyoto

Free cancellation
★ 5.0 (6) • 200+ booked
From RM 231.49

More to explore

Tea Ceremony, Dance and Game with Japanese Maiko
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Tea Ceremony, Dance and Game with Japanese Maiko

Up to 3 hrs
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★ 3.6 (159) • 6K+ booked
From RM 123.95
Kimono Rental & Photoshoot Experience in Kyoto by Ouka Kimono
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kimono Rental & Photoshoot Experience in Kyoto by Ouka Kimono

English guide
Free cancellation
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★ 4.9 (440) • 4K+ booked
From RM 77.00
RM 91.39
Kyoto International Manga Museum Ticket
Museums • Kyoto

Kyoto International Manga Museum Ticket

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★ 4.6 (201) • 5K+ booked
RM 36.55
[Kyoto & Arashiyama & Nara] Nara Park & Fushimi Inari Shrine & Fushimi Chiikawa Honpo & Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest Path Day Tour (Depart from Osaka)
Klook's choice
Tours • From Osaka

[Kyoto & Arashiyama & Nara] Nara Park & Fushimi Inari Shrine & Fushimi Chiikawa Honpo & Arashiyama & Bamboo Forest Path Day Tour (Depart from Osaka)

English guide
Free cancellation
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★ 4.7 (292) • 3K+ booked
From RM 196.09
50 off
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Kyoto World Heritage & Uji Scenery One-day Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto)
Klook's choice
Tours • From Osaka, Kyoto

Kyoto World Heritage & Uji Scenery One-day Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto)

English guide
Free cancellation
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★ 4.9 (1,177) • 10K+ booked
From RM 240.95
40 off
Sale
Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha & Nara Park Day Tour
Klook's choice
Tours • From Osaka, Kyoto

Kiyomizu Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha & Nara Park Day Tour

English guide
Hotel pick-up
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★ 4.6 (1,358) • 20K+ booked
From RM 216.30
Matcha Ceremony Experience in Kyoto
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Matcha Ceremony Experience in Kyoto

Up to 3 hrs
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (29) • 700+ booked
RM 152.29
Casual Tea Ceremony in 100-Year-Old Machiya House in Kyoto
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Casual Tea Ceremony in 100-Year-Old Machiya House in Kyoto

English guide
Up to 3 hrs
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.9 (133) • 2K+ booked
RM 182.75
Gion Corner: Traditional Arts Performance
Kyoto

Gion Corner: Traditional Arts Performance

Up to 3 hrs
Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (118) • 3K+ booked
RM 189.40
Kimono/Yukata Rental/Photo Shoot (Kyoto, Gion-Shijo, Yasaka Shrine) Kimono Rental Misaki
Klook's choice
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kimono/Yukata Rental/Photo Shoot (Kyoto, Gion-Shijo, Yasaka Shrine) Kimono Rental Misaki

English guide
Free cancellation
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★ 4.8 (184) • 2K+ booked
From RM 86.29
Kiyomizudera Temple Kimono Rental Experience by Rental Kimono First
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kiyomizudera Temple Kimono Rental Experience by Rental Kimono First

Morning departure
Free cancellation
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★ 4.9 (1,359) • 10K+ booked
From RM 91.39
20 off
Sale
Kimono rental experience in Gion, Kyoto (provided by Kyoto/レンタル物first)
Klook's choice
Cultural experiences • Kyoto

Kimono rental experience in Gion, Kyoto (provided by Kyoto/レンタル物first)

English guide
Free cancellation
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★ 5.0 (177) • 1K+ booked
From RM 91.39
20 off
Sale

Why people love Kennin-ji Temple

4.9 /5
35K+ reviews
Read all reviews
Wu *****
13 Apr
Today's experience in Uji, Kyoto is great, one time is definitely not enough 🤭We tried all the food recommended by the tour guide today, they were all delicious 👍He helped us take pictures and introduced beautiful attractions for us to record slowly, full of memories, I will sign up again next time to experience what I haven't experienced yet.
Klook User
13 Apr
We had a great time exploring the food and learning the history of Kyoto. Emi was a great guide - willing and able to flex to our requests! highly recommend this tour and Emi as a guide!
2+
Veronica ********
13 Apr
Smoothest day trip we had in our whole trip! We promptly got to each stop, and our wonderful guide Steven would give us lots of information, maps links and just generally help us get where we needed to go. we then were free to explore until it was time for our departure to the next stop. Kyoto was beautiful, we could have spent days there but this trip really hit so many wonderful highlights. I highly recommend it.
2+
Joy *
13 Apr
This was an enjoyable tour covering not only transport like other tours but also a good overview of each attraction by the guide. Our guide Charles gave a comprehensive introduction to all the attractions visited and also shared lists of recommendations. Time given at each stop was just right, would be even better if more time was given at lunch stop and Uji to explore more.
謝 **
13 Apr
The location of Genpin Gion store is convenient and easy to find, right near the bus stop. Kyoto has frequent buses, so traveling is quite convenient. The food is delicious, fresh and the service is good.
2+
謝 **
13 Apr
The location is convenient, the kimonos look very new, there are many choices, and you can also pay extra to choose online when you arrive. Comes with flip-flops socks, so the flip-flops are not difficult to wear.
謝 **
13 Apr
The kimono shop is very close to Kiyomizu Temple. Just walk up from the shop and you will reach Kiyomizu Temple. There is no problem communicating in Chinese in the store, and there are many styles of kimonos and hairstyles.
Sean ***
13 Apr
First time renting a Kimono in Kyoto with my girlfriend and I would say it was a pleasant experience and the staff members there were very helpful and also recommending for us what colours would go well with the Kimono we chose.
2+

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FAQs about Kennin-ji Temple

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Remarkable Landmarks and Must-Visit Sights

Ceiling Mural of Fierce Dragons

Marvel at the breathtaking ceiling mural depicting two fierce dragons locked in battle, a masterpiece of Japanese art and the largest of its kind in Japan.

Zen Garden

Find peace and tranquility in the meticulously designed Zen garden, a serene space filled with rocks, gravel, and moss, perfect for contemplation and meditation.

Historical Significance

Explore the temple's rich history, including its role as a center of Zen practice, learning, and artistic expression, as well as its connections to influential historical figures like Oda Nobunaga.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Founded in 1202 by the monk Yousai, Kennin-ji Temple is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and a vital center of Zen practice, learning, and cultural events. Discover the temple's architectural treasures and its role in Japanese history.

Dragon Ceiling Mural

Admire the iconic ceiling mural of fierce dragons battling it out, a must-see masterpiece of Japanese art that commemorates the temple's 800th anniversary.

Zen Garden

Experience the tranquility of the Zen garden designed by Kobori Enshu, featuring meticulously arranged elements that invite quiet contemplation and meditation.

Cultural Significance

Founded by Eisai, the temple holds historical importance as the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and tea cultivation in Japan. Visitors can witness centuries-old traditions and practices.

Location

Situated in the heart of Gion, Kenninji Temple offers a spiritual oasis amidst the bustling entertainment district. Accessible from nearby train stations, it is a must-visit destination in Kyoto.

Artistic Treasures

Marvel at the intricate dragon paintings, gilded screens, and ceiling murals that adorn the temple's halls, showcasing the artistic mastery and cultural heritage of Japan.

Local Cuisine

While visiting Kennin-ji, don't miss the opportunity to savor traditional Japanese cuisine at nearby restaurants. Indulge in local delicacies like matcha tea and Kyoto-style kaiseki meals for a truly authentic dining experience.