Okazaki to Nanzenji Temple
Okazaki Museums - Heian Shrine - Nanzenji Temple 岡崎美術館～平安神社～南禅寺
Overview
This route will run through Kyoto’s Okazaki area, which is home to many of the city's best museums, the city zoo, Heian Shrine, and a bit farther afield Nanzenji Temple.
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art is an old pile to the east of the massive vermillion torii gate. It hosts many of the premier exhibits that come through the city. It opened in 1933.
Directly across the street, to the west of the gate, is Fumihiko Maki’s Kyoto Museum of Modern Art. The building is a sleek modern masterpiece. The museum has several major shows annually, and often features works of artists from or based in Kyoto.
Across the street and canal is the Fuji Yurinkan Museum. Its collection includes statues of the Buddha, bronze pieces, measures, jade pieces, seals, books, porcelain and ceramics, paintings, calligraphy, ancient documents, scroll of sutras, rubbing, lacquer works, mother-of-perl works, stationery, applied fine arts, cloisonne ware, clocks, clothes, tile inscriptions, and more. The items were collected by Zensuke Fuji, a politician and businessman, who spent time in Shanghai and fell in love with Chinese art.
Just up the street, to the north a few blocks, is Heian Shrine. It was built in 1895 to celebrate the city’s 1,100th birthday. The shrine is large and impressive, but what is most worthy of a visit is the garden behind it.
From here we head back and behind Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art to the zoo. It is not in the league of San Diego, but is a decent if small urban zoo.
Up the hill from the zoo are Nanzenji Temple and Eikando Temple, two wonderful temples. The former is a zen temple that is the headquarters of the Rinzai Sect. It was established in 1291. Its grounds are spacious and have a brick 19th century aqueduct on the grounds. Eikando was founded in 863 C.E., destroyed during the Onin War (1467 - 1477) along with much of Kyoto, rebuilt, and is spectacular in the fall.
Getting to the Starting Point
If you are coming from downtown, ride up Kawaramachi to Nijo. Turn right and head east across the river on Nijo Dori. After a few minutes, you will be in Okazaki. On your right is the massive torii gate.
This ride will take about 15 minutes.
Kyoto National Museum
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National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto
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Directions (Map Below)
A good place to start is at the torii gate. The only riding you really need to do is up to Nanzenji Temple. The museums and zoo are easily walked or slowly pedaled from the torii.
From the museums and zoo, head up the street just south of the zoo that parallels a large canal. Ride until you get to the first light. Go left through the light and across the canal. Nanzenji is just a bit up the street on the right. Eikando is farther east of Nanzenji.
Total Riding Time
Two hours riding time from City Hall to Nanzenji Temple.
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| Heian Shrine Gate | Kyoto Municipal Zoo |
More Information
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
Okazaki Park, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8344
075 771 4107
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (admission until 4:30 p.m.); closed Mondays
Entrance Fee depends upon the exhibit
Kyoto Museum of Modern Art
Okazaki Enshoji-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8344
075 761 9617
Entrance Fee depends upon the exhibit
Kyoto Zoo
Okazaki, Hoshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
075 771 0210
Entrance Fee: 500 yen
Fujii Yurinkan Museum
44 Enshoji-cho Okazaki Sakyo-ku Kyoto
075 761 0638
Entrance Fee: 1000 yen
Nanzenji Temple
86 Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8435
Entrance Fee: 500 yen
Eikando Temple
Eikando-cho 48, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
075 761 0007
Entrance Fee: 500 yen
Yanagi Yu Public Bath
322 Kikuhokocho, Niomon Sagaru, Shin Yanagibanba, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
075 7718439 Open 5:00 pm - 12:00 midnight; closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Entrance Fee: 410 yen
Map
Okazaki Museum Area - Heian Shrine - Kyoto Zoo - Nanzenji Temple Route
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