Kennin-ji sits just beyond Gion’s busy streets, with Zen gardens and halls that preserve a long history of religious and artistic exchange. Founded in 1202, it is associated with monk Eisai and the spread of Zen practice and tea culture.
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The transition from Gion’s narrow commercial lanes to Kennin-ji’s spacious grounds is immediate. The temple was founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, who had traveled to China and returned with Zen teachings and knowledge of tea cultivation.
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UpgradeQuick facts
- Kennin-ji was founded in 1202.
- Its founder, Eisai, studied in China and promoted Zen teachings and tea cultivation.
- The temple is associated with Kyoto’s Rinzai Zen tradition.
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