Anrakuji Temple Gate

A Thatched Gate atop Stone Steps

The Anrakuji Temple Gate (安楽寺山門) is a thatched sukiya-style gate at the top of stone steps of 1892 in Shishigatani Goshonodancho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on March 18, 2003 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

The Agency records a timber gate with a thatched roof, 2.2 metres wide, with wing walls; registration number 26-0148.

Octagonal Posts and Fanned Rafters

The gate of Anrakuji, built in 1892, stands facing west at the top of a gentle flight of stone steps at the south-west corner of the temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). Its main posts are octagonal, its rear posts keep the bark-edged faces of the log, log purlins run round it, and small log rafters are fanned out under a hipped thatched roof.

The Agency notes that it is a sukiya-style gate with distinctive carving, an essential part of the scene.

Why It Was Registered

The Agency registered it as a model of design.

What to Look For

Look for the thatched gate at the top of the steps and its fanned log rafters (Agency for Cultural Affairs).

Visiting

It is owned by Anrakuji Temple (Agency for Cultural Affairs). No official information on opening days was found; check with the temple. The main hall, shoin and gate are introduced together on the Anrakuji page.