Located atop a hill in southeast Kyoto, this seldom-visited temple is secret treasure. Both the garden and the Buddhist images are superb.
Garden at Unryu-in: Amstk / Shutterstock.com
If you’re going to tramp all the way up the hill to visit Sennyu-ji Temple, it’s worth walking another 200 meters or so to visit the tiny subtemple of Unryu-in (“Cloud Dragon Temple”). It is, without a doubt, one of the finest small temples in Kyoto. You can spend hours gazing over the gardens. And, for a mere Y900, they’ll serve you a delicious bowl of matcha and a Japanese sweet to enjoy while gazing out over the garden.
English address:
36 Sennyuji Yamanouchicho, Higashiyama-ku
Japanese address:
東山区泉涌寺山内町36
Opening hours:
9am to 4:30pm
Admission:
Y400
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
20min walk from Tofuku-ji Station, JR Nara line or Keihan line (it’s a long walk uphill, so consider a taxi if it’s hot or raining or you’re not in good shape)
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near to Unryu-in Temple on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone: 541-3916
Website:
Official Website (Japanese)
Near To Here:
Unryu-in Temple is located in Southeast Kyoto. See our complete list of things to do in Southeast Kyoto, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- ESSENTIALS – For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
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