After you visit the amazing Yusai-tei gallery, you will be within easy walking distance of the Lovely Loop’s next scenic gem—Tenryu-ji Temple and the delightful lunch restaurant, Shigetsu. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tenryu-ji is one of the most popular temples in Arashiyama, featuring one of Kyoto’s most important Zen gardens. Although it attracts many visitors, you will not feel crowded, as you might in other Arashiyama areas..
A Glimpse into History
Tenryu-ji, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Kyoto, established in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji to honor the late Emperor Go-Daigo. The revered Zen master Muso Soseki was appointed as its founding abbot, infusing the temple with spiritual gravitas.
What makes Tenryu-ji's origin even more fascinating is its unique funding story. Initially supported by donated estates, the temple's construction received a significant financial boost from an ingenious and innovative plan: Muso Soseki and Ashikaga Tadayoshi (a powerful military and political figure), orchestrated the dispatch of two trading ships to China laden with prized items, like lacquerware, high-quality pottery, silk, paper, and aromatic woods.
This international venture proved highly profitable, leading to sufficient funds for the temple's construction and consecration in 1345. Today, Tenryu-ji proudly stands as the premier temple among Kyoto's Five Mountains, a prestigious ranking it has maintained for centuries.
The Temple’s Sogenchi Garden: A Strolling Pond Garden
While visiting Tenryu-ji, a highlight not to be missed is the breathtaking Sogenchi Garden. Designed by the renowned Zen master Muso Soseki, this garden has preserved its timeless beauty. As Japan’s very first Site of Special Historic and Scenic Importance, it offers a serene escape where the seasons transform the scenery in vibrant displays of color and light.
This ‘strolling pond garden’ invites you to wander along a thoughtfully crafted path that circles a shimmering pond, revealing nature's splendor at every turn—a living canvas where history and the spirit of the Muromachi period come to life.
· Address: 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8385
· Phone: (075) 881-1235 (8:30 AM- 5:00 PM)
· Hours: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (Last admission 4:50 PM)
· Website: https://www.tenryuji.com/en/visit/
Delight in a Zen Buddhist Meal--Shojin Ryori-- at Shigetsu
By now the Loop has brought you up to lunch time, so after exploring the temple and gardens, enjoy a traditional Zen Buddhist meal at Shigetsu, the modest restaurant on the grounds of Tenryu-ji. This wonderful restaurant has been designated a "Bib Gourmand" by the Michelin Guide Kyoto Osaka 2024. This recognition highlights Shigetsu as a restaurant serving "exceptionally good food at moderate prices." It is essential to book reservations in advance.
The Essence of Shojin Ryori
Shojin ryori is a vegetarian cuisine rooted in the Buddhist monastic tradition. It is said to cleanse the soul, suppress worldly desires, and promote spiritual growth. Preparing shojin ryori involves pouring one’s heart into cooking, expressing gratitude, and seeking an inner spiritual calm. This cuisine focuses on vegetables, wild mountain plants, seaweed, and other plant-based ingredients, embodying simplicity, harmony, color, and flavor.
As you dine, bask in the amazing views of the mountains around Arashiyama and take in the beauty of the gardens of Tenryu-ji Temple while enjoying exquisite food and extraordinary service. Your meal is a celebration of the senses, offering a balanced and harmonious dining experience you will not soon forget.
Tips for Visiting Shigetsu
Address: 68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8385
Accessibility: Seats are available for those with mobility issues or who cannot sit on the tatami.
Hours: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Reservations and Menu: Learn more about the meal offerings and make reservations here.
Hōgon-in Temple
Close to Tenryu-ji, Hōgon-in Temple is another hidden Arashiyama delight you’ll want to visit, either on your way to Tenryu-ji or when you leave. Hōgon-in has a separate entrance from Tenryu-ji, so you can visit it independently without first entering Tenryu-ji. Near the entrance to the garden is a dry pond symbolizing the “sea of suffering” of human life.
The temple’s breathtaking circular landscape garden, “Shishiku-no-niwa,” was designed to draw the eye toward the backdrop of Mount Arashiyama, adding depth and a sense of tranquility. Many consider it one of Kyoto’s most exquisite gardens.
Typically closed to the public, Hōgon-in opens its gates during specific seasons, allowing visitors to experience the vibrant autumn foliage and fresh spring greenery. During the autumn viewing season, the garden also offers a rare nighttime opening, where illuminated leaves create a magical atmosphere. Reservations are required for evening visits, enhancing the exclusivity of this unforgettable experience.
Address: 36 Sagatenryūji Susukinobabachō, Kyoto 616-8385
Open Seasons:
Spring Season: Mid-March to mid-June
Autumn Season: Mid-October to early December
Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (with the last entry at 4:30 PM)
Website: https://hogonin.jp/ (Use Google Translate to view Visitor Information) Confirm dates and hours as they vary yearly.
We’re Walking, We’re Walking
After lunch―which will not weigh heavily on your digestive system―it’s time for an easy post-prandial stroll and, perhaps, some shopping. From Shigetsu, you walk further along the banks of the Oi River (also called the Katsura or Hozu River, depending on area) to the Togetsukyō Bridge.
The Togetsukyō Bridge
The Togetsukyō (Moon Crossing) Bridge takes its name from the romantic notions of Emperor Kameyama in the 14th century, who noted that throughout the night it seemed like the moon was making its way across the bridge. Spanning the Oi River, the bridge offers a splendid view up and down the river which varies dramatically from season to season. With Mt. Arashi serving as a backdrop, you might enjoy cherry blossoms, vibrant summer greens, and colorful autumn leaves on the mountain slope. On the Oi River side you can watch people in small rental boats paddle about or take part yourself.
As you take the 14-minute walk up Nagatsuji-dori to our next destination, the Sagaraden Nomura workshop, you will pass a broad variety of sights, stores and attractions, including souvenir stores, tea houses, kimono rentals, ice cream shops, and every manner of emporium. The walk is not long, but it’s filled with distractions, so leave yourself time to discover two of Arashiyama’s remarkable signature arts and crafts attractions.