Rinsen-ji

Rinsen-ji is a Zen temple in Arashiyama featuring a dry stone garden where carefully placed rocks and raked gravel patterns express traditional Zen design principles. The temple emphasizes the purity of form and the expressive power of emptiness and space in its overall structure.

An emperor founded this temple in 1335 and appointed a respected Zen master as its first head priest to guide its spiritual direction. This founding during the Kamakura period established the place as a center of Zen Buddhist learning and practice.

The temple displays painted sliding doors created by master artists of the 16th century and houses a wooden statue of its founder in a dedicated hall. These artworks show visitors the artistic traditions connected to Zen Buddhism during the temple's early years.

The temple sits about a 5-minute walk from the train station and opens to visitors during daylight hours, with the garden accessible in most weather conditions. Wear sturdy shoes since gravel paths and uneven surfaces are part of the design, and allow time to walk slowly and observe the space.

Beneath the Founder's Hall, a natural stone formation shaped like a lotus marks the burial site of the master who spent his final days at this temple. This quiet grave often goes unnoticed by visitors, yet it lies at the heart of the temple's spiritual story.

Location: Ukyō Ward

Inception: 1335

Founders: Go-Daigo, Musō Soseki

GPS coordinates: 35.01478,135.67875

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:01