Nanzen-ji Temple (solo trip)

If you’re looking for a temple that doesn’t gently whisper enlightenment in your ear but instead grabs you by the collar and slaps you with four centuries of Zen austerity, this is your place. You enter down this dead-straight path lined with maples and pines standing like bodyguards. It’s serene, sure, but there’s also this unspoken “know your place, tourist” vibe humming through the gravel. You...

A peaceful and beautiful temple to explore. We visited on a Friday and although many of the buildings were closed, it was still absolutely worth it. The grounds are stunning - very green, tranquil, and spacious. It feels different from some other temples, more immersive in nature. A lovely place for a quiet walk and to soak in the peaceful atmosphere.

Nanzen-ji Temple is an awe-inspiring and peaceful place to explore, full of history, natural beauty, and stunning architecture. We began our morning here and it was the perfect start to a day of quiet reflection and discovery. Walking through the massive Sanmon Gate into the lush temple grounds felt like entering another world. The Dharma Hall (Hatto) was particularly impressive, with its intrica...

Quiet compared to other temples in Kyoto. A lovely zen garden to sit and contemplate life. Good exercise walking around the garden and temple.

Beautiful Buddhist temple which was not too crowded when visited. What I liked the most was the extremely well kept and detailed zen garden, it was raining during my visit so it felt extremely peaceful and calm. Really enjoyed some time to rest and think about life while looking to the beautiful wooden structure of the temple and beautiful gardens. At the entrance the massive gate really surprised...