On Top of the Gate in Nanzen-ji, Kyoto

On a beautiful day, before walking the Philosopher's Path in Kyoto, we stopped at Nanzen-ji temple.
There is a massive wooden gate (Sanmon gate) and it is possible to climb to the top. The stairs are very steep, watching your head is recommended on the way up and shoes have to be taken off. You can leave your shoes either in a locker or you can put them in a plastic bag to carry with you. We decided to take a locker. The day was beautiful so the view was gorgeous. Walking on a very ancient wooden floor all around the gate felt very good.
Here are some photos we took that day on April 1st 2021. The following one is a panorama photo taken with my iPhone from the top of the gate.

The temple's Sanmon gate was originally constructed in the 13th century, destroyed in 1369 at the order of the government, and reconstructed in 1628. The gate contains stairs to an elevated viewing area.
Nanzen-ji (南禅寺, Nanzen-ji), or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly Zenrin-ji (禅林寺, Zenrin-ji), is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, branch of Rinzai Zen. The precincts of Nanzen-ji are a nationally designated Historic Site and the Hōjō gardens a Place of Scenic Beauty.
Nanzen-ji was founded in the middle Kamakura period (1291, or Shōō 4 in the Japanese era system). It was destroyed by fire in 1393, 1447, and 1467, rebuilt in 1597, and expanded in the Edo era. A large complex, it has varied over time between nine and twelve sub-temples.
Source Wikepedia

© PHOTOS BY JC DUMONT