Tenryū-ji

天龍寺

One of the city's UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the main temple of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism in Kyoto; it's also considered one of Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples. Tenryu-ji was founded in 1334, but the current buildings all date from the last century: pleasant, but unremarkable. However, there is a lovely garden and pond, designed by the Zen master Musō Soseki, that is worth a look - and well worth taking a leisurely stroll around. After your walk, head out the back way and through the splendid bamboo forest to reach the Ōkōchi Sansō villa (see below).

• outdoors

Address

68 Saga Tenryū-ji Susukinobaba-chō

Getting there

Main entrance near the busy Togetsukyō Bridge intersection

Hours

Mar-Oct: daily 08:30-17:30; Nov-Feb: daily 08:30-17:00

Price

¥600 (garden + temple), or ¥500 (garden only)

Website

zen.rinnou.net (opens in a new tab)