Nanzen-ji

Nanzen-ji is defined by its massive Sanmon Gate, a two-story wooden structure that rises twenty-two meters above the grounds. As the head temple of its branch of the Rinzai Zen sect, the complex sits at the base of the Higashiyama mountains. It began in twelve sixty-four as a retirement villa for Emperor Kameyama. After the emperor abdicated and entered the priesthood, he donated the property in twelve ninety-one to establish the Zen temple.