Shelby Slygh | Aug 27, 2017

I very much enjoyed my time at this temple. It was not filled with many people. It was very calm and relaxing. We also had time to sit and enjoy Matcha while gazing into the garden.

Tng Chee Hiong | Dec 2, 2017

This temple is smaller and less crowded. Still beautiful to visit. Make it your first stop, making your way to Chion-in Temple, Maruyama Park, and Ninenzaka.

Brooke Ottley | Nov 9, 2017

Very beautiful. I could not find their opening hours for the autumn night illuminations on their website, but it turns out the temple closes at 4.30pm and reopens at 6pm. There was already a line of people waiting at 5.50pm, so arrive early OR arrive about half an hour after opening for night illuminations. There is plenty of space to walk, not too crowded but I did go on a weeknight.

Mark McLaughlan | Nov 8, 2017

Quiet, serene and beautiful We were recommended this temple by a young Japanese friend from Tokyo who said this was his favourite temple in Kyoto for all the reasons above. Without having seen all the temples ourselves, I would have to say he is right. Whilst the building is interesting the real attraction is the views out over the different garden spaces and the garden itself.

Kyoto Dream Trips | Sep 29, 2017

Situated at the base of Mount Awata and in the heart of the Kyoto City you’ll find the tranquil temple of Shōren-in (青蓮院). Once, after the Great Kyoto Fire of 1788, it was used as a temporary Imperial Palace. The gardens inside Shōren-in are especially beautiful and the Ryūjin-no-ike pond (龍神池 or Heavenly Dragon Pond) is famous. The large rock in the middle of the pond looks like the back of a dragon, bathing in the pond. There are two gardens, one the “Garden of Soami” designed by Sōami (相阿弥) in the Muromachi period (室町時代), and the “Kirishima Garden (霧島の庭)” designed by Kobori Enshū (小堀遠州). Inside precincts of Shōren-in is a famous tea house (Kobun-tei - 好文亭) once used by Emperor Go-Sakuramachi (後桜町天皇) as a study.

Gabriel Garriga | Mar 17, 2018

Nice and peaceful. Really neat you get to walk through a traditional home with no shoes. When I was here there was not many other people so it felt relaxing the whole time.

Kayla Axen | Apr 11, 2018

This was my favorite temple in Kyoto. I didnt plan to stop here, but saw it on the way to another temple. There were only a couple other people inside so it was very easy to sit and really enjoy the traditional building and serene grounds. Got a lovely goshuin for my goshuincho. I highly recommend visiting here

Jamie Palliser | Apr 22, 2018

Great to walk around, good gardens too, not as busy as some others, which is a plus

Lin Liu | Jun 15, 2018

I give it just one star because of the ticket seller is very very rude. Me and my mom, in traditional kimono, visited this temple few days ago. As soon as the ticket seller saw us, she became quite tense. She told us that we cant take kimono picture in this temple, which I understand. She circles some buildings on the map, telling us these are places we cannot take pictures. Also she tells us we cannot touch the slide door or window, which I also agree and understand. For all her requirements "dont do this... dont do that...", I relied with "okay, no problem". Okay, now the highlight comes, she said "do not stay in the temple over 30 minutes". Excuse me??? What kind of rule is this? Is this a rule for all visitors, or only for me and my mon? Oh, also, she pointed to those monitor camera screens in her ticket booth and warned me "cameras are every where in the temple, i will be watching you". OMG