When you visit a Zen temple in Kyoto, take a moment to look up at the ceilings of the main hall or the Dharma hall. You may find powerful depictions of “dragons” there that look as if they might come to life at any moment.
In Zen Buddhism, dragons are regarded as guardians of the Buddha’s teachings and are also believed to possess the power to control water and summon clouds; as such, they have been painted on temple ceilings with the prayer that they “protect the temple from fire.” Many of these works employ the “Eight-Direction Gaze” technique, designed so that the dragon appears to make eye contact with the viewer from any angle; when you stand directly below and look up, you’ll be amazed by this clever design.
In this article, we’ll introduce five temples in Kyoto—all of which are major Zen temples—where you can see ceiling paintings of dragons. Since some temples display these paintings year-round, while others do so only on weekends or during special viewing periods, or even only from the outside, we’ve compiled as much detailed information as possible—including visiting hours, admission fees, and viewing conditions—so you can be sure to check the viewing status before your visit.
Please Note: Admission fees, open periods, and hours of operation are subject to change. In particular, the dates for special viewings and special visits vary from year to year, so please be sure to check each temple’s official website before your visit. The information in this article is based on details confirmed as of September 2026.
Table of Contents
■Tenryū-ji Temple | Matazo Kayama’s “Cloud and Dragon” (World Heritage Site)
■ Kennin-ji Temple | “Painting of Two Dragons” by Junsa Koizumi (a massive work spanning 108 tatami mats)
■ Myōshin-ji | Kano Tanyū’s “Cloud and Dragon” (The Dragon Gazing in All Directions)
■Nanzen-ji Temple | Keinen Imao’s “Painting of a Cloud Dragon” (Usually viewable only from the outside)
■Tōfuku-ji Temple | In'yō Dōmoto's "Blue Dragon" (Completed in 17 Days)
■Tips for Visiting · Comparison Chart
■Tenryū-ji Temple | Matazo Kayama’s “Cloud and Dragon” (Arashiyama, World Heritage Site)
Features
Tenryū-ji Temple in Arashiyama is the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism. Founded in the early Muromachi period by Ashikaga Takauji to honor the memory of Emperor Go-Daigo, the “Sōgen-ichi Garden”—said to have been designed by National Preceptor Musō (Musō Soseki)—is a renowned garden that was the first in Japan to be designated as a Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty. It is also one of the component assets of the World Cultural Heritage site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”
The “Cloud and Dragon” painting that adorns the ceiling of the Dharma Hall was created in 1997 (Heisei 9) by Japanese painter Matazo Kayama to commemorate the 650th anniversary of the passing of Muso Kokushi, the founding abbot of Tenryū-ji. On the ceiling, measuring 10.6 meters high by 12.6 meters wide, 159 cedar boards, each 3 centimeters thick, were laminated together and coated with lacquer and white clay; within a double circle 9 meters in diameter, a black-ink dragon leaps and dances. A distinctive feature of the painting is the use of the “Happō-nemi” technique, in which the dragon’s gaze appears to follow the viewer wherever they move, no matter how they shift their position.
It should be noted that when the building was first relocated, it featured a painting of a cloud-and-dragon motif by the Meiji-period painter Matsutoshi Suzuki; however, due to severe damage, the painting is currently in storage and is displayed to the public every February in the Daigōjō Hall. Along with the current cloud-and-dragon painting by Matazo Kayama, this offers a rare opportunity to compare the two types of “Tenryū-ji dragons” if your visit coincides with the exhibition.
Visiting Information (Please Check)
The dates on which the "Cloud Dragon" painting is on display vary throughout the year.
- Regular Hours: Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
- Special Viewing Period: During spring (typically from early March to late May) and fall (typically from mid-September to early December), the site is generally open daily.
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Last admission at 4:20 p.m.)
- Admission Fee: 500 yen (Free for preschoolers) *This fee is separate from the admission fee for the garden and various halls.
If you plan to visit on a weekday, check the official website in advance to see if your visit falls during a special viewing period—this will help ensure you don't miss out.
Basic Information
Address:68 Sagano-baba-cho, Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-881-1235 (8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.)
Access:About a 15-minute walk from the Hankyu Railway “Arashiyama Station,” about a 1-minute walk from the Randen (Keifuku Electric Railway) “Arashiyama Station,” and about a 13-minute walk from the JR “Saga-Arashiyama Station”
Official Website:https://www.tenryuji.com/
■ Kennin-ji Temple | “Painting of Two Dragons” by Junsaku Koizumi (Gion—Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple)
Features
Ken'nin-ji Temple, founded in the second year of the Ken'nin era (1202) by Zen Master Eisai, is known as Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple. Thanks to its prime location right near Gion and Hanamikoji, it is a popular temple that attracts many foreign tourists.
The “Twin Dragons” painting on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall is a relatively recent work, completed in 2002 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Kennin-ji Temple’s founding. This monumental work, created by Japanese-style painter Jun Sakko over a period of two years, spans the equivalent of 108 tatami mats, and features two dragons—representing the “A-un” (Ah-Un) pair—arranged so that they face each other. Precisely because it is a relatively new work within this historic temple, the shades of ink remain vividly defined, and its compelling power—as if the dragons might come to life at any moment—is truly captivating.
Another must-see is the “Cloud and Dragon” painting by the Momoyama-period artist Kaibō Yūsho, designated as an Important Cultural Property. While the original is on loan to the Kyoto National Museum, a high-resolution reproduction is on permanent display in the Hōjō (abbot’s quarters) at Kennin-ji Temple. Since a reproduction of Tawaraya Sōtatsu’s National Treasure, “The Wind and Thunder Gods Screen,” is also on view on the same grounds, this temple offers visitors the chance to enjoy not only dragons but also masterpieces of Japanese art all in one place.
Visiting Information
The Dharma Hall, which houses the “Twin Dragons” painting, is open to the public almost every day without a special reservation and is included in the regular admission fee (as part of the admission to the Abbot’s Quarters and the Dharma Hall). However, please note that it is closed to the public from April 18 to 20 and June 3 to 5 each year due to religious services, and there may also be days when it is closed due to special events.
- Visiting Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
- Admission: Adults 800 yen, Middle and High School Students 500 yen, Elementary School Students 500 yen, Children under elementary school age free (*As of September 2026)
Notice of Price Revision: Kennin-ji Temple has announced that, due to rising operating costs, the general admission fee will increase from 800 yen to 1,000 yen effective January 1, 2027 (the fee for elementary, junior high, and high school students will remain at 500 yen). The current admission fee will apply for visits within 2026, but please be aware of this if your itinerary spans the year-end and New Year’s period.
Basic Information
Address:584 Komatsu-cho, Shijo-sagaru, Yamato-oji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-561-6363
Directions: About a 7-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line, and about a 10-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
Official Website:https://www.kenninji.jp/
■ Myōshin-ji | Kano Tanyū’s “Cloud and Dragon” (Hanazono—one of Japan’s largest Zen temples)
Features
Myōshin-ji, the head temple of the Myōshin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, is a Zen temple that boasts a vast grounds—said to be equivalent to seven Tokyo Domes—with 46 sub-temples lining its grounds. Highlights include a National Treasure—a temple bell bearing Japan’s oldest dated inscription—and the “Akechi Bath,” a bathhouse associated with Akechi Mitsuhide.
The “Cloud Dragon” painting on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall is a work completed in Meireki 2 (1656) by the Edo-period painter Kano Tanyu, who spent eight years creating it. The dragon, depicted within a circle approximately 12 meters in diameter, is affectionately known as the “Dragon That Stares in All Directions” because it seems to make eye contact with the viewer no matter where one looks up from. It is also surprising that, some 370 years after its completion, it has never undergone restoration.
It should also be noted that the “Dragon and Tiger” painting by Kano Yaraku, depicted on a folding screen, is known as a masterpiece associated with Myōshin-ji Temple, though it is currently housed at the Kyoto National Museum.
Visiting Information (Guided Tours Only)
Visits to the Hōdō Hall at Myōshin-ji Temple are not open to the public on a walk-in basis; instead, guided group tours led by temple staff are conducted every 20 minutes (the tour includes the National Treasure temple bell and the Akechi Bath). The approximate start times for the tours are as follows:
- Tour Times: 9:10–11:40 (every 20 minutes), 12:30 (one tour only), 1:00–3:40 (every 20 minutes) *Additional tours around 4:00 p.m. may be added depending on the season.
- Admission: Adults 500 yen, Middle School Students 300 yen, Elementary School Students 100 yen (group discounts available)
- Ticket Counter: Located at the back of the Dharma Hall
Depending on the timing, you may have to wait for the next guided tour, so we recommend planning your visit with plenty of time to spare. The vast temple grounds also feature sub-temples such as Taizō-in and Keishun-in, which are open year-round, and the “half-day tour” that includes visits to these sites is also popular.
Basic Information
Address:1, Hanazono Myoshinji-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-461-5226
Access:About a 5-minute walk from Hanazono Station on the JR Sagano Line
Official Website:https://www.myoshinji.or.jp/
■Nanzen-ji Temple | Keinen Imao, “Picture of the Cloud Dragon (Zuiryu-zu)” (Okazaki—a head temple with special status)
Features
Nanzen-ji Temple, located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, is the head temple of the Nanzen-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and is regarded as a renowned temple holding a “special” status—the highest rank among Zen temples in Japan. The temple grounds are full of attractions, including the “Sanmon” gate—a Designated Important Cultural Property and one of Japan’s Three Great Gates—and the “Suikokaku,” a red-brick aqueduct bridge that forms part of the Lake Biwa Canal.
The ceiling of the Dharma Hall—the temple’s central building—features the painting “Cloud Dragon” (or “Auspicious Dragon”) by Keinen Imao, a Japanese-style painter active from the Meiji to the Taisho periods. The current Dharma Hall was constructed in 1909 (Meiji 42) after the original was destroyed by fire in 1893 (Meiji 26); the fading and color tones of the painting convey a sense of the weight of history. In reference to Nanzen-ji’s mountain name, “Zuiryū-zan,” the painting is also known as the “Zuiryū-zu.”
Visiting Information (The interior is normally closed to the public)
This is what sets it apart from the other four temples. The Hōdō Hall at Nanzen-ji is where Buddhist services and ceremonies are held, and visitors are not normally allowed inside. The dragon ceiling painting can be viewed by looking up from outside the Hōdō Hall, near the entrance. Admission to the temple grounds (the area around the Hōdō Hall) is free, so let’s start by looking up at it from the outside.
However, during special fall viewings held in conjunction with campaigns such as JR Central’s “Let’s Go to Kyoto,” visitors may have the opportunity to enter the Dharma Hall for a limited time and view the ceiling paintings up close. If you’d like to take advantage of this chance to see the interior, be sure to check for information on these special viewings as your travel date approaches.
Please note that while admission to the Nanzen-ji temple grounds is free, separate admission fees are required for the dry landscape garden (commonly known as the “Toranoko-watashi Garden”) at the Hōjō—a National Treasure—as well as for the Sanmon Gate and the sub-temple Nanzen-in.
Basic Information
Address: Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-771-0365
Directions: About a 10-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Subway Line
Official Website:https://www.nanzenji.or.jp/
■Tōfuku-ji Temple | In'yō Dōmoto's "Blue Dragon" (A Famous Spot for Autumn Foliage: The Temple Precincts)
Features
"Tōfuku-ji," the head temple of the Tōfuku-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, is located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City. It is said that Regent Kujō Michikane named it after Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji in Nara, and it is a grand temple that took 19 years to complete, beginning in 1236. Because it boasts one of Japan’s largest temple complexes, it is also known as “Tōfuku-ji’s Temple Complex,” and it is nationally renowned as a prime spot for viewing autumn foliage.
The ceiling of the Main Hall (which serves as both a Buddha Hall and a Dharma Hall) is adorned with “The Blue Dragon” by Japanese painter In’ō Domoto. Created in conjunction with the Main Hall’s reconstruction in 1934 (Shōwa 9), this monumental work is said to have been completed in just 17 days. The sight of this colossal dragon—said to be approximately 54 meters long with a girth of about 6.2 meters—swimming through the clouds with a fierce expression is truly awe-inspiring. The piercing gaze of the dragon, depicted across the entire ceiling, is unforgettable once seen.
Visiting Information (Usually Viewable Only from the Outside)
The main hall of Tōfuku-ji Temple is normally closed to the public; while visitors can view the principal image through the doors on the south side, they are generally not permitted to enter the hall to see the “Blue Dragon” painting up close. The ceiling paintings can only be viewed by looking up from outside the open doors.
However, primarily in the spring and fall, the temple may be included in the “Special Public Viewing of Non-Public Cultural Properties” organized by the Kyoto Association for the Preservation of Traditional Culture and other groups. During these events, visitors can enter the main hall and view the “Blue Dragon” painting from directly below. Since the schedule and availability of these events vary from year to year, visitors planning to come during the fall foliage or cherry blossom seasons should check the special viewing information in advance.
Please note that Tofukuji Temple has separate areas that require an admission fee, such as the Tsuuten Bridge and the Main Temple Garden, and it gets particularly crowded during the fall foliage season (mid-November to early December).
Basic Information
Address:15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone: 075-561-0087
Directions: About a 10-minute walk from "Tofukuji Station" on the JR Nara Line and Keihan Main Line
Official Website:https://tofukuji.jp/
■Tips for Visiting Temples: Comparison Chart of 5 Temples
The conditions for viewing the dragon ceiling murals vary greatly from temple to temple. Before planning your itinerary, be sure to check the display styles in the comparison table below.
| Temple | Author | Year of Production | Publication Style | Estimated Admission Fees |
| Tenryuji Temple | Matazo Kayama | 1997 | Usually open only on weekends and holidays; open daily in spring and fall | 500 yen (separate charge) |
| Kenninji temple | Junsaku Koizumi | 2002 | Open almost every day (included in the admission fee) | 800 yen* (Scheduled to be revised in 2027) |
| Myōshin-ji Temple | Kano Tanyū | 1656 | Guided tours every 20 minutes | 500 yen |
| Nanzenji Temple | Kagenori Imao | 1909 | Usually viewable only from the outside / Interior viewing permitted during special open houses | Free admission to the temple grounds |
| Tofukuji Temple | In'yo Domoto | 1934 | Usually viewable only from the outside / Interior viewing permitted during special open houses | Same as the temple grounds admission fee |
Key Points to Keep in Mind Before Your Visit
- Kenrin-ji is the only temple that can be visited every day
If you want to be sure to see the dragon ceiling painting, it’s best to include Kennin-ji Temple in your itinerary. - At Tenryū-ji, the day of the week and the time of year are important
If you plan to visit on a weekday, please check in advance to see if it falls during a special viewing period. - Allow plenty of time for Myōshin-ji
Because tours are guided, there may be a wait depending on when you arrive. - The general rule for Nanzen-ji and Tofuku-ji is to “look up at them from the outside.”
If you want to see the interior, you'll need to time your visit for one of the special open houses. - It gets especially crowded during the fall foliage and cherry blossom seasons.
The areas around Tenryū-ji, Tōfuku-ji, and Nanzen-ji get very crowded during the tourist season. We recommend visiting early in the morning.
■summary
The five temples featured here are all renowned temples of the Rinzai school, each on par with a head temple. The dragons painted on the ceilings of their Dharma Halls and Main Halls have been cherished and passed down as guardians of the Buddhist teachings, protecting the temples from fire. Even though they are all “dragons,” one of the attractions is being able to compare the different artistic styles across eras—from the solemn works painted by Kano Tanyu during the Edo period to the dynamic pieces created in the Heisei era.
Since visiting hours vary by temple, be sure to check the opening schedule in advance and plan your itinerary with plenty of time to spare so you can take your time gazing up at the breathtaking “Dragon Dancing in the Sky.”
*Please note that the visiting hours, admission fees, and availability of special viewings mentioned in this article are subject to change. Be sure to check the official websites of each temple for the latest information before your visit.
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