Japan: Kyoto VII - Ninnaji Temple

Day 1 

Japan: Kyoto I - Getting There

Japan: Kyoto II - Getting Around & Kiyomizudera 

Japan: Kyoto III - Higashiyama area

Japan: Kyoto IV - Kodaji Temple

Day 2

Japan: Kyoto V - Kinkakuji Temple

Japan: Kyoto VI - Ryoanji Temple

Japan: Kyoto VII - Ninnaji Temple

Japan: Kyoto VIII - Keifuku Railway Line

Japan: Kyoto IX - Sagano Scenic Railway

Japan: Kyoto X - Arashiyama

Day 3

Japan: Kyoto XI - Inari Gates

Japan: Kyoto XII - Nijo Castle & Nikkishi Market

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ninna-ji Temple is further west to Ryoan-ji Temple, so a 10 minute walk would be enough. It's compound is really huge as seen from the drawn map. There are one main entrance (at the bottom of the map), and a side entrance (at the top left of the map). 

If you come from Ryoan-ji, you'll probably come from the main entrance (bottom right of the map, where you see a red tab). From there, walk west, then turn left when you reach the wide path. It's a really wide path, like one soccer field 's width.

This is the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect of Buddhism.  It's a really huge compound without any signs, just follow the crowd, as they will lead you to Goten, the former residence of the head priest (which is at the bottom left of the map.)

The buildings are all connected by graceful corridors, in the imperial palace style. The gardens exude the peace and quiet of a zen garden as well. This cost 500 yen. If you wish to skip this residence, feel free to do so. The rest of the compounds's expansive grounds are free for you to explore. 

After viewing the Goten, exit and take a left turn, back up the wide path (so that you are travelling up the map). If you are in time for the later blooming cherry blossoms variety called Omuro Cherry, do fork out 500 yen to see them. The plot of land is hugely cramped with cherry blossoms, which we sadly missed =( . Here's a picture of the path that you travel down amidst the beautiful blooms if you are lucky.

Pass the cherry blossoms, there are more temples buildings and pagodas for you to look at. It's a really big place, that really takes for some detailed exploring. 

Look at the number of Japanese tourists! We scarcely saw any foreigners there. This is really a well-hidden gem. 

Now, if you actually explore it thoroughly passed the cherry blossoms, you'll probably end up in the top left hand corner of the map, where there is a exit to the left. Don't exit from there, unless you know your way. I would recommend travelling back down to the Goten area which is next to the huge main gate of the compound (bottom center of the map). From there, you'll find more traffic as it is the main road. 

Info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3929.html

That's all for Ninnaji Temple. Next up, I would take you to take the local trains as we head for Arashiyama!