Sanjusangen-dō (三十三間堂)

Sanjusangen-dō (三十三間堂)

Sanjusangen-do, the "hall with 33 spaces" is one of the major tourist spot in Kyoto. Founded in 1164, its official name is Rengeo-in (蓮華王院). The buildings were destroyed in a fire but were rebuilt in 1266 and remain standing to this day. This is surprising because most temples in Kyoto were destroyed in the Onin war (1466~1476) and the large hall of Sanjusangen-do makes it a easy target. The name of the temple comes from its main hall which has 33 sections (and hence 34 main columns).

The 120m-long hall enshrines 1001 Buddhist statues of deities, each with many arms as they are traditionally represented. So this begs the question: how many arms? Well, go there and see for yourself! :-) Additionally, 28 larger statues are placed in front of this multitude, each representing a guardian deity. Originally the temple "only" had 124 statues; the remaining ones were built when the temple was renovated.

The main hall is located on wide grounds with a photogenic orange-and-green wall which doubles as a covered promenade. A couple of zen gardens can also be found here and there. Note that photography is only allowed outside; you cannot take pictures in the hall. It is the only place in Kyoto where the specifically say that they will check your memory cards if they have a doubt. You've been warned...

While you're in the area, the excellent Chishaku-in temple is just around the corner.

Access:

Nearby: Hōjū-ji 法住寺 (90m), Chishaku-in 智積院 (380m), Toyokuni-jinja 豊国神社 (380m), Myōhō-in 妙法院 (400m), Kanshun-dō 甘春堂 (450m), the Kawai Kanjiro Memorial 河井寛次郎記念館 (680m), Rakutoihōkan 洛東遺芳館 (710m), the Hanbei-fu Bento Museum 半兵衛麩弁当美実館 (850m), Shōsei-en 渉成園 (850m), Shōkō-in 盛光院 (860m),...

External links: Website, ウィキペディア, Wikipedia, Wikipédia, Kyoto Navi, Trip Advisor, Kyoto Design, 京都風光, Inside Kyoto, Marutake, そうだ京都, Satellite view, Map

Keywords: Japan, 日本, Japon, Kyoto, 京都, Higashiyama, 三十三間堂, Sanjusangen-do, temple, 寺院, 仏閣

Statistics: visited on 4 occasions, id 441, 21 photos (19 extra photos can be found in the archive).

Photos of Sanjusangen-dō:

Covered alley surrounding the compound of Sanjusangen-do temple
Sanjusangen-do temple main hall which contains 3000 Buddha statues
Pond in zen garden, Sanjusangen-do temple
Traditional sandals and no entry sign, Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Standing bows during the Toshiya archery competition in Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Young female archer in kimono with flowers in her hair during the Sanjusangendo temple Toshiya archery competition, Kyoto, Japan
Female archer wearing red kimono during the Toshiya archery event in Sanjusangendo temple, Kyoto, Japan
Young female archer during the annual toshiya competition in Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Female archer portrait during the Toshiya event in Sanjusangendo temple, Kyoto, Japan
Woman in kimono wearing her order number during the Toshiya competition in Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Female archers in kimono during the Toshiya event in Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Female archers in kimono after the Toshiya competition, Kyoto, Japan
Young lady in kimono participating in the Toshiya archery competition in Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Archer during the Tohiya competition in Sanjusangendo temple, Kyoto, Japan
Yound ladies wearing kimonos after archery competition, Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Archer ready to shoot during the toshiya competition in Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan
Young female archer in kimono during the Toshiya archery competition in Sanjusangendo temple, Kyoto, Japan
Toshiya archery competition in Sanjusangen-do temple, Kyoto, Japan