🐉 Kenninji Temple
Type: Zen Temple (oldest in Kyoto) City: Kyoto (day trip from Osaka) Neighborhood: Gion, Higashiyama Ward Address (EN): 584 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0811 Address (JP): 〒605-0811 京都府京都市東山区大和大路通四条下ル小松町584 Website: https://www.kenninji.jp/ Hours: Mar–Oct 10:00–17:00 / Nov–Feb 10:00–16:30 (last entry 30 min before close) Entry: ¥800 adults / ¥500 students Photography: ✅ Gardens and interior (including the famous ceiling dragon)
Why We’re Going
Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple, founded 1202. Famous for the stunning twin-screen Wind God and Thunder God painting (replica) and the massive ceiling dragon in the Dharma Hall. Rock and moss gardens are peaceful.
📷 Photography Prep
Best Lens: 16mm f/2.8 (ceiling dragon requires wide — it’s enormous) Backup Lens: 23mm f/1.4 Best Time: Opening — before tour groups arrive Light: Interior is soft and diffused; gardens work in most conditions Focus On: Ceiling dragon (shoot wide and look up), rock garden geometry, moss textures, corridor views Restrictions: Photography generally allowed — confirm at entry for specific halls
Tips & Notes
- At the south end of Gion’s famous Hanamikoji Street — natural endpoint of a Gion walk
- The ceiling dragon (Koizumi Junsaku) is not to be missed — genuinely impressive at scale
- Less crowded than Kinkakuji or Fushimi Inari
- Wind God/Thunder God painting on display is a replica (original at Kyoto National Museum)
Getting There
Nearest Station: Gion-Shijo (Keihan Line) — 7 min walk