Most commonly referred to as ‘Sanjusangendo’, the properly named Rengeo-in is the longest wooden structure and second largest temple in Japan. Founded by the cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa in 1164, the impressively long ‘hondo’ main hall may appear somewhat subdued from the outside however inside, the temple houses 1001 golden ‘Kannon’ statues – Goddess of Mercy – and is without question one of Kyoto’s most spectacular sights.

1 Day Tour

Kyoto Heritage Path – From Fushimi Inari’s Mystery to Kiyomizu Temple Majesty
Period	All year round
Time	09:00-17:00
Meeting Place	JR Kyoto Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥13,000

We don’t visit Sanjusangendo on our tours, but if you want to discover more of what the Higashiyama area has to offer, then why not book our Kyoto Heritage Path tour. Explore the historic Gion district, stroll the cobblestone paths of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, and visit the iconic Kiyomizu Temple. Immerse yourself in traditional gardens, majestic shrines, and the timeless charm of Japan’s past. Experience the rich heritage of the eastern prefecture on our guided tour. Join us today for an unforgettable journey!

In the centre of the hall, a large statue of ‘Senju Kanno’ (the 1000-Armed Kannon) is flanked by 500 more statues on each side. The statues don’t literally have 1000 arms but a crafty bit of number-crunching means that the 42 arms they do bear account for 1000 conceptually. Impressively, over 100 of the statues date back to the original temple. Photographs are not permitted inside the temple meaning that prior to your visit, it’s hard to visualise the serene beauty that is housed inside. Often overlooked, Sanjusangendo should not be missed as is only a 25-minute walk from the more famous Kiyomizudera.