# This is an authorized translation in English of a post in French by @japon: [Sanjusangen-do, le temple aux mille et une statues](https://steemit.com/fr/@japon/sanjusangen-do-le-temple-aux-mille-et-une-statues)
<sup>As my primary language is not English, there are probably some mistakes in my translation.</sup>
## Remember that the person that speaks here is NOT me, Vincent Celier (@vcelier), but @japon, a French guy.

***

The sun is back. Well, at least there are some sunny intervals. With my friend Patrick we meet for a day of visit. First stop of the day: the [Sanjūsangen-dō](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanj%C5%ABsangen-d%C5%8D) Temple, which is famous for its very long wooden building which houses 1001 statues of the goddess [Kannon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanyin), the goddess of compassion.

The temple is quite close to my ryokan, I arrive a little early, I decide to look around. I notice a shrine: the [Toyokuni-jinja](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyokuni_Shrine_(Kyoto)). From the entrance, the tone is marked with this big [torii](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torii) and its alleys of wooden lanterns painted red.

<center>
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZH3UcqDv12CBmFnJkfSY5r4qCtedRQtb8k2NKPRMb8cE/toyokuni-1.jpg)
<br>
![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmXupTMA3bWJUtsMFHna6sju1fFWzrE6CMfvdzUwU4M8Wx/toyokuni-2.jpg)
<br>
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmR2GRTY7Lct4RHB5a6nUijvPMSQiNwj2FWYRDLsoDrsD3/toyokuni-3.jpg)
</center>

This sanctuary, which is clearly outside the classical tourist circuits, is a nice surprise, but I have to go back to Patrick.

The Sanjūsangen-dō temple is surrounded by large earthen walls; as soon as one enters the enclosure, one is cut off from the rest of the world. No more noise. In front of us, a garden and this huge wooden building 120 metres long. The name of the place literally means "33 intervals", in relation to the number of columns on the building.

<center>
![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmdp3bvX8cZ6bKPvVJy7HSZwyBUiN3iAUahHSBn4tSxpE4/sanjusangen-do.jpg)
</center>

We go inside after removing our shoes. We enter a corridor dark enough. On the floor tatami mats, dark wood walls and small panels covered with [Washi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washi) paper that let in a dim light.

It is necessary to go along this corridor, because it is on the other side that lies the treasure. The statues are placed in 10 rows. 500 statues on one side, 500 statues on the other, and in the center a huge statue of the goddess Kannon.

<center>
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbVcireFdKKtZW44GQdFh2et8Xx3mea7AaZHccNdbiuos/sanjusangen-do-3.jpg)
<br>
![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmSV1rBqJdz7oQVcRtiZLrP1P7t23Z3gNqajcpuyy6Fd2b/sanjusangen-do-4.jpg)
</center>

There are also about thirty other statues representing the servants of the goddess. The photos are forbidden inside, and I just managed to take one from the end of the room.

The show is difficult to describe in words. There is a very special atmosphere, very dark, we are gradually put in the mood with the corridor that leads us. Each statue is cut in one piece in cypress wood and covered with gold leaf.

We come out with these images of statues in the head. It's a show to be discovered and that changes radically compared to what we see in other temples of Kyoto.

The gardens are also beautiful, organized around a beautiful pond with its well-cut trees, rocks, lanterns. Around the garden, buildings painted in red frame everything.

<center>
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmZZunjXC6Z7D8jc5qzkYxpxLmHp7BX1wfsyAqiLChozvF/sanjusangen-do-0.jpg)
<br>
![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/0x0/https://steemitimages.com/DQmPnYeQBje4aaAiyMXkNChS4yDju55pFhbXr2uVB6bzyJn/sanjusangen-do-5.jpg)
<br>
![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmQ8oPoT2fs2qj2powiNVbr1Ly48uwveNQqXh2GKY9ADuG/sanjusangen-do-6.jpg)
</center>

A beautiful place in which it is nice to stay. The sun is coming back gradually. The typhoon is definitely gone and the wind has chased away all the clouds. Our next destination is the great [Fushimi Shrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-taisha). We decide to go on foot, it will be a good opportunity to discover Kyoto more in depth.

-- @japon

***

01: [Travel diary in Japan, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/travel-diary-in-japan-by-japon-translation-from-french)
02: [Tokyo, overcrowded city? Really? by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/tokyo-overcrowded-city-really-by-japon-translation-from-french)
03: [Are the Japanese too disciplined? by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/are-the-japanese-too-disciplined-by-japon-translation-from-french)
04: [Going to Japan without speaking Japanese? by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/going-to-japan-without-speaking-japanese-by-japon-translation-from-french)
05: [Ueno, more than just a big park in Tokyo, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/ueno-more-than-just-a-big-park-in-tokyo-by-japon-translation-from-french)
06: [Asakusa, diving in the heart of Tokyo's historic district, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/asakusa-diving-in-the-heart-of-tokyo-s-historic-district-by-japon-translation-from-french)
07: [Ameyoko, Ueno's colorful market, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/ameyoko-ueno-s-colorful-market-by-japon-translated-from-french)
08: [Tsukiji, the largest fish market in the world, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/tsukiji-the-largest-fish-market-in-the-world-by-japon-translated-from-french)
09: [Climb the steps of Atago Jinja Shrine in Tokyo, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/climb-the-steps-of-atago-jinja-shrine-in-tokyo-by-japon-translated-from-french)
10: [Hama Rikyu, an exceptional park in the heart of Tokyo, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/hama-rikyu-an-exceptional-park-in-the-heart-of-tokyo-by-japon-translated-from-french)
11: [Jimbocho, old books and tempura, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/jimbocho-old-books-and-tempura-by-japon-translated-from-french)
12: [Shinjuku Gyoen Park and the best burger in the world!, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/shinjuku-gyoen-park-and-the-best-burger-in-the-world-by-japon-translated-from-french)
13: [One night in Shibuya, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/one-night-in-shibuya-by-japon-translated-from-french)
14: [Takeshita dori : this little street dedicated to fashion (and good crepes), by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/takeshita-dori-this-little-street-dedicated-to-fashion-and-good-crepes-by-japon-translated-from-french)
15: [They lie to you about Kyoto, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/they-lie-to-you-about-kyoto-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
16: [The temples and secret garden of Higashi in Kyoto, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/the-temples-and-secret-garden-of-higashi-in-kyoto-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
17: [Kinkaku-ji, the temple of the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/kinkaku-ji-the-temple-of-the-golden-pavilion-in-kyoto-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
18: [Ryoan-ji, the amazing stone garden in Kyoto, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/ryoan-ji-the-amazing-stone-garden-in-kyoto-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
19: [The Ninna-ji Temple and its extraordinary gardens, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/the-ninna-ji-temple-and-its-extraordinary-gardens-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
20: [Kyoto Gyoen, the Imperial Palace Park, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/kyoto-gyoen-the-imperial-palace-park-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
21: [Nishiki Market: A Must in Kyoto, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/nishiki-market-a-must-in-kyoto-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
22: [Ginkaku-ji, the temple of the silver pavilion in Kyoto, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/ginkaku-ji-the-temple-of-the-silver-pavilion-in-kyoto-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
23: [Meditate on the path of philosophy, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/meditate-on-the-path-of-philosophy-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
24: [Nanzen-ji, its impressive gate and two gardens, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/nanzen-ji-its-impressive-gate-and-two-gardens-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
25: [Heian-jinju: the big shrine and its garden that I almost missed, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/heian-jinju-the-big-shrine-and-its-garden-that-i-almost-missed-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
26: [Eikan-do, the temple of the momiji maples in Kyoto, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/eikan-do-the-temple-of-the-momiji-maples-in-kyoto-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
27: [Kodai-ji, a Kyoto temple dedicated to a woman's love for her husband, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/kodai-ji-a-kyoto-temple-dedicated-to-a-woman-s-love-for-her-husband-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
28: [Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, the streets of Higashiyama, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/sannenzaka-and-ninenzaka-the-streets-of-higashiyama-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
29: [Kiyomizu-dera, the temple of pure water in Kyoto, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/kiyomizu-dera-the-temple-of-pure-water-in-kyoto-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
30: [Tofuku-ji: the maple lookout point, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/tofuku-ji-the-maple-lookout-point-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
31: [Makis, Yasaka-jinja Shrine and Maruyama Park, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/makis-yasaka-jinja-shrine-and-maruyama-park-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
32: [Nijo Castle and its fabulous garden, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/nijo-castle-and-its-fabulous-garden-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
33:[Departure for Osaka and its castle, and announcement of a typhoon, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/departure-for-osaka-and-its-castle-and-announcement-of-a-typhoon-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
34: [Osaka, the garden Keitaku-en under a torrential rain, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/osaka-the-garden-keitaku-en-under-a-torrential-rain-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
35: [Doguya-suji, the kitchen market in Osaka, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/doguya-suji-the-kitchen-market-in-osaka-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)
36: [Dōtonbori, the bustling district of Osaka, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/d-tonbori-the-bustling-district-of-osaka)
37: [Back to Kyoto and Typhoons, meetings and reunions, by @japon](https://steemit.com/travel/@vcelier/back-to-kyoto-and-typhoons-meetings-and-reunions-by-japon-tranlated-from-french)