Niomon Gate and Chumon Gate
There are many gates as you make your way to the temple grounds from the entrance way to the temple.
  The Niomon Gate serves as the front gate and entrance way to Ninnaji Temple. The name of the gate refers to the Kongōrikishi: wrestler-like guardian statues enshrined to the left and right of the gate, which was constructed in the Kanei through the Shohou periods (roughly 1624 - 1648 in the early part of the Edo Period) by Tokugawa Iemitsu. Designated as an important cultural property, the structure is especially imposing, and along with the Sanmon Gate at Nanzenji Temple and the Sanmon Gate at Chion-in Temple, is considered to be one of the three most famous gates in Kyoto. After going through the gate, the approach to the temple is a gentle slope to the north, and along the way, to the west, is the Chokushimon Gate. The walls on both sides of the Chokushimon Gate are made of earth, topped with tiles. The openwork screens above the sliding partitions between the rooms in the structure, the interior roofs and the lintels are covered with delicate carvings of Chinese phoenixes and peony arabesques. As you go further into the grounds, you come to the Chumon Gate, which is the entrance to the garan, the principal buildings of a Buddhist temple. The simple Japanese style of construction used in this gate has a distinctive character. While smaller than the Niomon Gate, the Chumon Gate is also designated as an important cultural property. On the east side of the path from the Niomon Gate to the Chumon Gate, is the Reihokan Museum, a treasure house containing valuable cultural assets. These include the principal image of Buddha originally enshrined at the temple when it was first constructed, the Amida Sanzon (a three-figure set of Buddhist statues), as well as many national treasures and important cultural properties: Buddhist statues, paintings, such as the Kujyaku-Myoou, and many ancient hand-written scriptures, notably the Omurosojoki. The museum is open to the public every year in the spring and again in the fall.
 
  Reihokan Museum
The treasury is open every spring and summer for a display of famous treasures. Refer to the official HP for information on the time period and hours.
   
Niomon Gate
Niomon Gate
Niomon Gate
Niomon Gate
Kongōrikishi: muscular, wrestler-like guardians, to the left and right of the Niomon Gate
Kongōrikishi: muscular, wrestler-like guardians, to the left and right of the Niomon Gate
Chokushimon Gate   Chumon Gate   Reihokan Museum
Chokushimon Gate   Chumon Gate   Reihokan Museum
 
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