Sanzenin Temple (三千院) is the main attraction of the rural town of Ohara, which is located about an hour north of central Kyoto. The approach from Ohara bus stop to Sanzenin is lined with shops and restaurants catering to temple visitors, and there are a number of smaller temples in the vicinity. Sanzenin Temple itself has large temple grounds and a variety of buildings, gardens and walking paths. br br This temple belongs to the Tendai-sect of Buddhism and was founded by nobody less than the revered monk Saicho who introduced Tendai Buddhism to Japan in 80. This Temple is one of the three Monzeki temples. A simple hermitage was constructed by priest Saicho on Mt. Hie in 788. This is the beginning of this temple. Ojo-gokurakuin built in 1148. Sanzenin is a monzeki temple, one of only a few temples whose head priests used to be members of the imperial family. br br After entering the temple through the front gate, visitors to Sanzenin pass through a series of connected temple buildings. The first major building is the Kyakuden (guest hall), which displays works of Japanese calligraphy and paintings on sliding doors (fusuma). The building opens up onto the Shuhekien Garden, a traditional Japanese garden that has a small pond and hill. br br Connected to the Kyakuden by a corridor, the Shinden (main hall) displays statues of three Buddhist deities, the central figure of Amida Buddha being flanked by the attendants Kannon and Fudo Myoo. From the Shinden visitors can enjoy the most famous view of Sanzenin Temple: the Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall seen through maple and cedar trees across a moss garden. br br Located in the middle of the moss garden, the Ojo Gokuraku-in Hall is the oldest temple building at Sanzenin. The hall was first built in 985 and most recently rebuilt in 1143. It holds a statue of Amida Buddha, Sanzenin's most valued treasure. The statue of Amida is accompanied by two attendant deities, Kannon on one side and Seishi on the other. br br On the precinct are gardens which represent two famous styles in Japanese landscape architecture. The Shuhekien garden was built to enjoy the garden view from one position (generally indoors), while the Yuseien garden was designed to appreciate the aesthetics of the landscape by walking through a path around the central pond. At Yuseien, people come to worship and taste spring waters named Konjiki-sui (golden water) which is said to bring longevity and fortune. br After crossing the river at the Hydrangea Garden, you will see a statue of Okina-jizo. There is a saying that children's bed wetting can be cured by pouring water on the statue. br br After admiring the view from the Shinden, you can walk through the moss garden. A tranquil atmosphere permeates the garden, and there are a number of amusing stone statues that peek out from the moss. Along with the rest of the temple, the garden is particularly impressive during the autumn colours, which usually take place in mid November, about a week earlier than in central Kyoto. br br About a 10 minute walk from Sanzenin, Otonashi no Taki is an attractive waterfall located in the forest behind Ohara. Signs along walking paths clearly mark the way, so visitors don't need to worry about getting lost. The waterfall itself is like a stream that quietly trickles down the rocks. Otonashi is Japanese for "waterfall without sound", and according to legend the sound of the waterfall is gone because it fused with the sound of the nearby monks chanting.