Sanjusangendo Temple

三十三間堂

Officially Rengeo-in Temple, houses 1,001 life-size statues of Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) in Japan's longest wooden building (120m). Built 1164, rebuilt 1266 after fire. Name means "Hall with 33 spaces" between columns. Each Kannon statue is unique - legend says you'll find face of loved one.

Visit: 45 minutes to 1 hour (allow time to appreciate each statue section)

Entrance: 600 yen adults, 400 yen junior high/high school, 300 yen children

Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Apr 1-Oct 15), 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Oct 16-Mar 31), last entry 30 minutes before closing

Highlights & Must-See Features

1,001 life-size gilded Kannon statues (each face unique)
28 guardian deity statues (National Treasures) including Hindu gods
Wind God (Fujin) and Thunder God (Raijin) statues at hall ends
Japan's longest wooden building (120 meters)
Toshiya archery competition (January 15 annually)
Main Kannon statue (Seated Thousand-Armed Kannon, 1254)

📍 How to Get There

Nearest Station

Shichijo Station (Keihan Line) - 7 minutes walk

Step-by-Step Directions

1 From Kyoto Station: Bus 100, 206, or 208 to Hakubutsukan Sanjusangendo-mae (10 minutes)
2 From Keihan Shichijo Station: 7 minute walk east
3 From Kyoto Station: Also walkable (20 minutes south then east)
4 Located near Kyoto National Museum and Chishaku-in Temple