Sanjusangendo Temple (三十三間堂)

Sanjusangendo is a temple of the Tendai sect located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. Its official name is Rengeoin Hondo (蓮華王院本堂). It is not an independent temple, but the nearby Myohoin Temple administer it.

Taira no Kiyomori built this long hall in 1164 under the order of Goshirakawa Joko (ex-emperor). It was later destroyed by fire. But Sanjusangendo was restored in 1266 by Gosaga Joko.

The name Sanjusangendo is due to the 33 (sanjusan) spaces (gen) between the pillars. The total length of the hall is 120 meters.

Later, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Hokoji Temple on this site. At that time, the site of Sanjusangendo was also taken. The Nandaimon Gate that remains nearby is from that time.

Temple’s official WEB site

There are 1001 statues of the Kannon standing in the hall. Among them, 124 are from the Heian period, the time of the temple’s construction. You cannot take photos in the temple. So the image below is from the temple’s website.

The more than 1,000 statues are specutaclar. It is a must visit.

Nearby spots around Sanjusangendo

Kyoto National Museum is just across the street. Themed exhibits will be on display. Please visit any exhibit that interests you. Cultural properties that are not open to the public are often exhibited.

Kyoto National Museum (京都国立博物館)

Myohoin Temple, the owner of Sanjusangendo, is not open for the public in most of the time.

Myohoin Temple (妙法院)

The Shoseien Garden is located in the middle of the bustling district close to the Kyoto Station.

Shoseien Garden (渉成園)

Yogen-in Temple is one of the temples which has a blood ceiling from Fushimi Castle. Also cedar door and sliding door paintings by Sotatsu Tawaraya that are a must-see.

Yogen-in (養源院)

Chishakuin Temple, head temple of Chizan School, features a renowned pond garden and houses National Treasure screen paintings.

Chishakuin Temple (智積院)