Walking Around the Myoshin-ji Temple Complex

Exploring a wide variety of temples in early spring

Larry Knipfing Jun 05, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Classic Japanese pine tree and roof tiles at Myoshin-ji Temple, Kyoto</p>

<p>As you circle the complex, there are beautiful walls everywhere</p>

<p>A beautiful stone lantern in one of the gardens open to the public that day</p>

<p>Nobody was around, so I was able to snap this very beautiful wall, bamboo fence, and tile shadows</p>

<p>A very old sign...what does it say?!</p>

<p>Although the gate was open here, this temple wasn't holding any special events</p>

<p>This old door was somehow beautiful and charming</p>

Myoshin-ji Temple complex is one of my favorite places to visit in Kyoto, simply because I don't know what delights I am going to find each time I go there. Why? Because this complex (which feels very old) is home to 46 different temples of the Rinzai School of Zen Buddhism. They are all living, breathing, functioning temples, each with its own specialty, but not all open to the public at the same time. So each time you go, some of the temple will be open, but others will be closed. This is what makes it so fascinating. This series focuses on a visit there in early May.

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Myoshin-ji Temple & Complex Series

Larry Knipfing @larry.knipfing

Born on Long Island, New York in 1958, I have spent the last 30 years of my life living in Japan, and enjoying every minute of it! I especially love photography, and Japan is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world to photograph! My other love is fiction writing and I have pub...