Kennin-ji

Founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, Kennin-ji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and has a fine and expansive kare-sansui (dry landscape) garden. It is an island of peace and calm on the border of the boisterous Gion nightlife district and it makes a fine counterpoint to the worldly pleasures of that area. The main attraction, however, is more modern: Koizumi Junsaku’s huge ink painting of twin dragons on the Hōdō hall was painted to celebrate the 800th anniversary of this head Rinzai sect temple in 2002. In 2008, two more dragons arrived, brought to life by Chinese artist Chen Man on the ceilings of the even more tranquil Seiraiin (seiraiin.com) sub-temple next door, where you can enjoy the art lying back on tatami rather than craning your neck.