Nanzenji

Visite extérieure gratuite donc ouvert tout le temps.
Il y a un aqueduc ce qui donne un certain cachet au lieu.
Situé près d’un mont nous avons fait sans le savoir au départ une balade en forêt d’une bonne heure! On a eu un peu peur de se perdre car peu d’indications!
Les bâtiments sont très imposant.
À voir si vous cherchez un peu de nature à Kyoto.

There are a gazillion temples in Kyoto, with limited time we could only visit a few. This temple came highly recommended as a good representation of most of the temples in the area.
Nanzenji is located not too far from the Imperial palace complex, so it was pretty easy to get to. There is no entrance fee to enter, however, several of the sub-​complexes inside the temple complex charges an admission. The clock tower requires additional fee, some of the exhibits also require additional fee.
The temple grounds are absolutely peaceful and well maintained. It sits against a large forest like hill with lots of trees. Since we were lucky enough to visit during cherry blossom season, the pink colors of the season was beautiful, a contrast against the equally beautiful green colors of the hill.
The architecture of the buildings are of course very traditional and unique, and the aqueduct was very interesting to see since the ancient structures are all very well preserved. Overall a very nice place to visit.

Nanzenji is another famous temple in Kyoto and it was very crowded on that day as well. The grounds is, I think, much bigger than Tofukuji so the crowd are scattered.
I have been in Kyoto several times and would never find or would always missed visiting this temple. Yes, you can get easily get templed-​out in Kyoto but one thing that I want to see here is not the temple but the aqueduct or as they call it (Sosui). This roman style waterway draws water from Lake Biwa and brings water in Keage in Higashiyama area of Kyoto. It’s no longer use but the structure is proudly standing there. A little bit out of place from the zen garden surrounding it but somehow it is where it should be.
Nanzenji, it seems is not that famous during Spring because there are not much Cherry blossom there, it is mostly Maple trees and others :) but to see the aqueduct is definitely worth the trip.

* Nice «neighbourhood» *
One of the positives of staying at the Miyako (
) is having Nanzenji be so nearby.
Going for a morning walk through the grounds of Nanzenji before many people are out is such a calming way to start the day. Imagine approaching the huge sanmon (main gate) and not having a single person around. The only sounds are a few birds enjoying the morning sun.
Truly wonderful to have such a location in the «neighbourhood.»
Photo of the sanmon:

This is one of the biggest temples that is free to walk around. You can go to the zen garden next door (which is under construction and features a bell that you cannot hit, but I hit it anyways since there wasn’t a sign). They also try to charge you 500 yen to go upstairs the Temple to see inside it.
I would highly recommend that you do NOT pay the 500 yen to go upstairs. You literally go upstairs, there’s nothing to see nor a view, and go back down. You can browse the rest of the Temple area for free. It’s massive, beautiful architecture, and definitely worth a visit.

During the third weekend of November, I was very impressed with Nanzen-​ji and its koyo/​autumn colors.
The central temple grounds is huge and free to walk through. There were many trees of beautiful fall-​colored leaves as well as an old-​looking aqueduct as well, which makes for fun pictures. I love how there are also some places and ledges to sit and relax while viewing the maple trees. There are many temples, gates, and gardens that you can pay admission for, but even just the central area is enough to get your fair share of fantastic fall colors.
Nanzen-​ji is also very close to Eikan-​do, and one can take Philosopher’s Path to Ginkakuji quite easily too.

There are many beautiful Buddhist temples throughout Kyoto. If you need help figuring out which ones to visit, I’d recommend visiting this temple based on location alone. The temple is beautiful with a massive gate and surrounding zen gardens. Plus, from here, you can head to the Path of Philosophy (a 2 km pedestrian path along a stream lined with cherry blossom trees), and walk north towards the Ginkaku-​ji Temple. There are restaurants in the Nanzen-​ji Temple neighborhood, local shops along the Path of Philosophy, and a busier shopping street in the Ginkaku-​ji Temple area.
We started from the northern end and finished our walk here @Nanzen-ji Temple.

It’s quite popular as the trees sprinkled with red leaves, that is changing for the fall. Although in Kyoto there are so many place where you can enjoy tinted autumnal leaves, this place is one of my favorite spot in Kyoto! Also I could say if you want to touch Japanese Zen, you should visit there.
There is one spot I love where a part of the aqueduct transforming the water at Lake Biwa (we call it 水路閣.) It was constructed in 1888. This aqueduct passes the front gate of some temple. We can see some people who are gathering and taking picture as their memory in here.
There was resistance against assembling Suirokaku in the area of Nanzen-​ji Temple as some fright it would be a hazard to destroy the scenery, but Suirokaku is now well-​known as a symbolic breathtaking spot in Kyoto as it often come out in TV drama.
Access: Take bus Hosshojucho or Nanzen-​ji-​eikan-​ji-​michi-​mae stop or Keage (蹴上）subway station
Opening hours: 8:40−17:00 (16:30 from Dec. through Feb.)
Closed: Dec 28 – 31
Admission Fee: Adults 500 yen /​Children 300 yen

The best time to visit Nanzenji Temple will be definitely in Summer and Autumn. The maple leafs there are amazing during these seasons. The San-​mon (Main Gate) has been used in Japanese TV drama as it has a great view. You could also climb up the gate and enjoy the view from there.
Also I usually like to go there during the night in summer time, as you could enjoy the great contrast with the dark gate and the fresh green leaves. But it might be a bit scary so if you have strength please try;)
In the conner of the Nanzenji Temple there is a red brick canal (Sosui), just like the roman canal, running from Lake Biwa to Kyoto-​city. It is a nice place to take pictures under the canal as it has some tunnels that you could pose like a model.