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Nanzenji
Nanzenji is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan as it is ranked as above the five greatest Zen temples in Kyoto. It was first built as an imperial villa in 1264. It is said that specters appeared every night at the villa and troubled the ex-emperor, Kameyama. But when Mukanfumon, a Zen monk, went into the villa and sat in Zen meditation, all the specters disappeared. The ex-emperor was very impressed and asked Mukanfumon to start a temple there in 1291. This is the beginning of Nanzenji Temple. 
The gate of this temple, Sanmon, is famous for a Kabuki play scene. The 22 meters tall gate is impressive but there is a stone lantern in front of the gate which is 6 meters-tall and it is the largest stone lantern in Japan. The gardens in the compound are also must-sees, especially the dry-landscape garden in O-hojo which is called gToranoko watashih (young tigers crossing the water) is well known. 
[Ryokan Yachiyo's Yudofu] For the Japanese people who love tofu, Nanzenji temple and Yudofu (a pot of hot tofu) are inseparable. It is said that the origin of this delicious dish is in the vegetarian dish for monks in Nanzenji temple. This is one of the most famous spot for Yudofu today and people from all over the country come to the area to have authentic Yudofu. 
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