Sanjusangen-do Temple in Kyoto: Highlights and Personal Photos with Insights into 1,001 Thousand-Armed Kannon Statues

2024-08-142024-09-20

Sanjusangen-do Temple is one of the most impressive spots in Kyoto. The 1,001 statues of Senju Kannon (thousand-armed deity of mercy statues) shine in gold, making this temple extremely popular for its magical atmosphere. The sight of Buddha statues crammed into a vast space stretching 120 meters from north to south is a sight you’ll never forget.

This article will share the highlights of Sanjusangen-do Temple, along with some personal photographs.

Getting to Sanjusangen-do Temple from Kyoto Station

The most convenient way to reach Sanjusangen-do Temple from Kyoto Station is by bus.

STEP

From the D2 bus stop at Kyoto Station’s bus terminal, take the city bus number 206.

The bus terminal is located right outside the central exit of Kyoto Station.

Look for the sign marked “D2”.

STEP

Disembark at Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae bus stop.

It takes about 10 minutes from Kyoto Station.

Sanjusangen-do Temple is located right in front of the bus stop. The photo above is the entrance.

The ticket office is located immediately after entering.

Highlights of Sanjusangen-do Temple

Sanjusangendo is the longest historical wooden statue structure in Japan, measuring a whopping 120 meters long.

When you enter the hall, you will see a row of standing Kannon statues. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside the temple, so the photo above shows a poster. What is particularly noteworthy is that each Kannon statue has a different expression. It is said that you can find a face similar to the person you want to meet.

The sight of the golden Thousand-Armed Kannon statues stretching over 120 meters was truly unforgettable for me.

The photo above is also a poster, but what is enshrined in the center of the hall is a huge 3.35m tall sitting Kannon statue. The delicate carvings are beautiful and it is considered a masterpiece of Kamakura period (A.D.1185-1333) carving. Including the 1,000 standing Kannon statues and the central seated Kannon statue, there are 1001 Kannon statues. Ancient people believed that 1000 meant an uncountable quantity, and that anything over 1000 was “infinite”.

At both ends of the hall, there are impressive statues of the gods of wind and thunder. It is said to be the oldest statue of the God of Wind and Thunder in Japan. This statue has crystals in its eyes and is carefully crafted down to the smallest detail.

The current building was built in 1266, and surprisingly, it was built using a seismic isolation method to prevent the Kannon statue from falling like dominoes in an earthquake. The ground of the temple is layered with gravel and clay to absorb underground vibrations. The skill of the architects of this era is formidable.

In addition, there is a garden outside the temple, which is beautifully maintained and relaxing. After seeing the inside of the temple, it might be a good idea to take a leisurely walk through the garden.

Information of Sanjusangen-do Temple

Web Site	Official web site (Japanese only)
Opening hours	4/1 – 11/158:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Opening hours	11/16 – 3/319:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Phone number	+81-75-561-0467

Please check the official website for the latest information.

Nearby tourist spots include Kiyomizu-dera Temple. If you’re interested, please check out the article below.