[2025 Kyoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Suirokaku Water Bridge (Updated Mar)

Nanzenji is a Zen temple representing Kyoto and is the most prestigious temple in Japan. But don't be too formal! The beautiful grounds, where nature and history blend together, are perfect for sightseeing and strolling. Here are five must-see spots at Nanzenji! ① The spectacular Sanmon Gate This is the setting for the famous line from Ishikawa Goemon, "What a magnificent view! What a magnificent view!" If you climb to the top, you'll be greeted with a spectacular view of Kyoto city! ② The quaint Suirokaku A retro arch bridge made of red bricks. Built in the Meiji era, this aqueduct is still in use today. It's perfect for Instagram, and has been used as a location for TV dramas and movies! ③ The tranquil Hojo Garden A beautiful garden with dry landscape gardens. You'll lose track of time in this tranquil world of stone and sand. Be sure to try the matcha tea! ④ Nature in every season 　Cherry blossoms in spring, green maples in summer, autumn leaves in fall, snowy scenery in winter - every season is picturesque! Especially during the autumn leaves season, the scenery is breathtaking. ⑤ Area with many famous yudofu restaurants 　The area around Nanzenji is also famous for its many famous yudofu restaurants. Why not enjoy a taste that is unique to Kyoto after sightseeing? 📍 Access to Nanzenji Address: Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Transportation: • About 10 minutes walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Subway Line • From JR Kyoto Station, take city bus No. 5 and get off at Nanzenji-Eikando-michi, then about 10 minutes walk #Domestic travel strategy #Kyoto #Temple tour #Domestic travel #japan

⛰[Attraction Guide] Nanzen-ji Temple 📍Address: 86 Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan 🚗Transportation: Take the subway from Kyoto Station to Keage Station, then walk 10 minutes to Nanzen-ji Temple 🕙Opening hours: 8:40–16:30 💰Admission: Sanmon Gate: JPY 500; Hojo Garden: JPY 500; Nanzen-in Temple: JPY 300 🌟Highlights: Nanzen-ji Temple is a must-visit during the autumn foliage season. The Sanmon Gate at the entrance is the first landmark of the temple. Climb to the top of the gate for a panoramic view of the temple. After entering the gate, you will be greeted by a long path lined with maple trees on both sides. The Roman-style red brick aqueduct and the Hojo Garden with its winding paths and small gardens are also worth seeing. There are many photogenic spots in Nanzen-ji Temple, and every corner is a perfect backdrop for a kimono photo! 👘👘Highlights: A kimono experience is a must in Kyoto, and almost everyone who visits Kyoto will try it! We chose Okamoto Kimono Shop, a famous old shop in Japan with many branches. The main store is located near Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The shop has two floors and a private garden. There are many styles of kimonos to choose from, and the price is very reasonable, costing less than JPY 300! Wearing a kimono at Nanzen-ji Temple is a great way to experience the beauty of Japanese architecture! 📌Tips: 1️⃣ Okamoto Kimono Shop has a website where you can make reservations in Chinese. You can also visit the shop without a reservation. 2️⃣ There are three kimono packages to choose from. We chose the most expensive one and added JPY 500 for a hairstyle. There are so many styles to choose from, so to save time, we showed the staff a photo of our favorite style and asked them to help us find a similar one. Then we went upstairs to have the staff help us put on the kimono. The whole process took about an hour. 3️⃣ The main store has a dedicated waiting room for friends to sit and wait. The private garden is also very beautiful, so you can take some photos there! 4️⃣ The aqueduct is the most distinctive building in Nanzen-ji Temple. It is a Roman-style red brick aqueduct with arched doorways, which looks like a time tunnel. Its unique architectural style has made it a popular filming location for Japanese dramas. Many people come here to take photos in kimonos, so it can get very crowded. Don't miss this photogenic spot! 5️⃣ Nanzen-ji Temple is a popular attraction, so there are many people at each scenic spot. However, the Sanmon Gate and Hojo Garden have more photo opportunities because people are not allowed to stand in the photo spots. 6️⃣ Try to plan your itinerary so that you can visit and take photos at attractions along the same route. This way, you can make the most of your kimono rental and get the best value for your money!

On a sunny spring day, I visited Suiroukaku in Kyoto, eager to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom. This beautiful spot, surrounded by cherry trees, always attracts countless visitors who come to experience the essence of spring. As soon as I arrived at Suiroukaku, I was greeted by a sea of pink. The cherry tree branches were laden with blossoms, gently swaying in the breeze as if waving to me. I strolled along the paths, stepping on soft petals, and felt the romantic atmosphere of spring. I found the perfect viewing spot and sat on a bench by the water, where sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting dappled shadows. The picturesque scenery around me, with ripples on the water reflecting the cherry blossoms, made me feel as if I were in a moving painting. In such an ambiance, my mood was incredibly joyful. I quietly admired the beauty, feeling the magic and wonder of nature. The surrounding tourists were laughing and playing, with children's laughter filling the air, adding life to this tranquil place. Such scenes made me smile, feeling the vitality of spring. Walking along the waterway, I admired the blooming cherry blossoms on both sides. Whenever the breeze blew, petals fell like rain, as if spring were blessing us. I took out my camera to capture these beautiful moments, wanting to forever cherish this spring memory. Soon, I found a small café and sat on the terrace, savoring local matcha and sweets. Under the cherry trees, enjoying the food and feeling the breeze on my face, I felt incredibly happy. The serene and comfortable surroundings lifted my spirits. As the sun gradually set, the cherry blossoms appeared even softer in the twilight. I strolled by the water, admiring the beautiful spring scenery, silently thanking nature for its gift. This cherry blossom journey at Suiroukaku not only allowed me to appreciate the magnificent scenery but also made me feel the vitality and energy of spring. As I left Suiroukaku, my heart was filled with longing for these cherry trees. This experience will forever remain in my memory, becoming the most beautiful chapter in my heart. I look forward to returning next year to relive this springtime romance and beauty.

Suirokaku is a waterway bridge in Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto. It is part of the Lake Biwa Canal built during the Meiji era to bring water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. The Waterway Pavilion is 93.2 meters long and 9 meters high. It is made of red bricks and granite and presents an elegant arch shape. There is a waterway above the Waterway Pavilion, where you can see clear water flowing under the mountain gate of Nanchan Temple, forming a beautiful scene. The designer of Suirokaku was Sakuro Tanabe, a pioneer of modern water conservancy engineering in Japan and a professor at Kyoto University. The Suirokaku is not only a practical water conservancy facility, but also a work of art that combines Japanese tradition and Western style. Suirokaku is a popular tourist attraction in Kyoto, attracting many tourists. There are many places of interest and historical sites around it, such as Nanzen-ji Temple, Eikan-do Hall, Philosopher's Path, etc., which can be visited together. The best time to enjoy the Waterway Pavilion is in spring and autumn, when the cherry blossoms and maple leaves beside the Waterway Pavilion will bloom in colorful colors, forming a sharp contrast with the red brick waterway bridge, making people linger. Suirokaku is a place that showcases Japan's modern history and culture. It has witnessed the development and changes of Kyoto, and has also preserved a unique landscape and atmosphere. Visiting the Suirokaku, you can feel the spirit of the Meiji era's industrial revolution and civilization, and appreciate the harmonious beauty of the water bridge and nature. The Waterway Pavilion is a place worth visiting. 📍Nanzenji Furoyamacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-0000 Japan #Japanese and Korean city attractions #Overseas travel #Weekend travel #Japan travel #Good places to go for Christmas