Uploaded July 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Tenryū-ji, a registered World Heritage Site, is a true treasure of the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. Founded in 1339, the temple presently serves as one of the headquarters of the Rinzai School of Zen Buddhism. The name “Tenryū-ji” was suggested by Ashikaga Tadayoshi (brother of the shōgun Ashikaga Takauji) following a dream he had of a golden dragon flying into the heavens from the river just south of the temple. Tenryū-ji’s beautiful landscape garden and Sōgen Pond, famous for its use of shakkei (borrowed scenery), was laid out by Musō Soseki, an eminent Zen master. Tenryū-ji is also known for the Cloud Dragon painting in its Dharma Hall, and for the opportunities it offers visitors to participate in traditional Buddhist practices such as meditation and sutra copying.
To see more of Tenryū-ji Temple and how to get there, check out our page:
discoverkyoto.com/places-go/tenryu-ji
Tenryū-ji, a registered World Heritage Site, is a true treasure of the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. Founded in 1339, the temple presently serves as one of the headquarters of the Rinzai School of Zen Buddhism. The name “Tenryū-ji” was suggested by Ashikaga Tadayoshi (brother of the shōgun Ashikaga Takauji) following a dream he had of a golden dragon flying into the heavens from the river just south of the temple. Tenryū-ji’s beautiful landscape garden and Sōgen Pond, famous for its use of shakkei (borrowed scenery), was laid out by Musō Soseki, an eminent Zen master. Tenryū-ji is also known for the Cloud Dragon painting in its Dharma Hall, and for the opportunities it offers visitors to participate in traditional Buddhist practices such as meditation and sutra copying.
To see more of Tenryū-ji Temple and how to get there, check out our page:
discoverkyoto.com/places-go/tenryu-ji
![Kyoto Festival: 47 Rōnin March (Gishi Matsuri) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/epoNCStvO9Q/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Festival: 47 Rōnin March (Gishi Matsuri) [4K]
Bishamon-dō temple in the Yamashina ward of Kyoto is host of the Gishi Matsuri, a festival connected to the famous tale of the 47 Rōnin. Held on December 14th, the day the warriors set out from Kyoto towards Edo to take revenge for their lord’s disgrace and death, the Gishi Matsuri recreates history with a procession that sets out from Bishamon-dō and marches about Yamashina, making stops along the way to perform music and recreations of the dramatic events, as well as offer prayers at historic sites such as Iwaya-ji temple and Ōishi Shrine, where the leader of the 47 Rōnin is enshrined. To learn more about this event, check out Discover Kyoto: https://www.discoverkyoto.com/event-calendar/december/gishi-matsuri-yamashina-bishamondo/")
![Kyoto Event: Light Festival at Shimogamo Shrine (Tadasu no Mori) [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fKClm4eyjqg/mqdefault.jpg "Kyoto Event: Light Festival at Shimogamo Shrine (Tadasu no Mori) [4K]
Many people look forward to light-ups held at Kyotos gorgeous shrines and temples that allow visitors to visit after dark, but recently Shimogamo Shrine blew the rest away as the host of an incredibly anticipated art installation! Held from August 17th - 31st, 2016, Light Festival in Tadasu no Mori at the World Heritage of Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto was created by the illustrious teamLab, who are known for their interactive and immersive art projects using digital technology. Made up of two parts, the Restonating Forest in the Tadasu no Mori outside the shrine buildings (free) and the Resonating Spheres just within the Rōmon Gate (500 yen), this light festival was a big hit with Kyoto locals and tourists both. Soft lights and sound illuminated the path between the torii and the shrines iconic two-storied gate, and passing through showed visitors a whole new world populated with glowing spheres that reacted to the music and the touch of a hand. Resonating spheres floated just above head-height all about the shrines courtyard and hovered in two of the open-wallwed halls, bathing visitors in the mystic glow designed to bring them awareness of other living creatures with which they share their space. If we are lucky, teamLab will bring another of their gorgeous art installations to Kyoto again soon!")
![Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms at the Okazaki Biwako Canal [4K]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fLZ9_Z1iKN0/mqdefault.jpg "Beautiful Kyoto: Cherry Blossoms at the Okazaki Biwako Canal [4K]
During Kyotos famous sakura season the Okazaki area around the famous Heian Shrine bursts into bloom. Of particular interest to visitors is the Biwako Canal that forms a sort of moat around the area, bringing water in to Kyoto from neighboring Shigas Lake Biwa. This canal is lined with cherry blossoms and features a charming vermilion bridge near the shrines large torii gate, making for a lovely photo op. This area is also lit up at night to allow visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms even longer, and for those interested in getting a different view there are even jikkokubune (traditional boats) that offer a 25 minute long scenic ride along the canal both day and night. Take a boat ride and enjoy the waters of Okazakis canal combined with the spring charm of Kyotos cherry blossoms.
For more details, schedules, reservations, and prices for the jikkokubune boat rides, check the official website here in English: http://kyoto-tabi.or.jp/events/jkkfn/_en/")
