Apr. 05, 2021 UPDATE
To-ji Temple
- 東寺 -Traveler Friendly
English, Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese leaflets are available.
Information
English, Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese leaflets are available
Languages spoken
Japanese only
Story & Recommendation
Historical temple with tallest pagoda in Japan close to Kyoto Station
The world heritage site To-ji Temple was built as the south entrance of Heiankyo (the former name of Kyoto city) in 794. The highest Pagoda (55 meters) in Japan enters your vision from the Shinkansen (bullet train) as you approach the JR Kyoto Station. When the 13-meter tall cherry blossom called Fuji Sakura blooms, many people visit the temple to take photos. We highly recommend visiting To-ji around the end of March and beginning of April. There are some interesting ancient buildings where you can see many statues of Buddha. Even if you aren’t Buddhist, you can still feel their impressive and solemn atmosphere.
1Highlight
The Five-storied Pagoda
The Five-storied Pagoda is the most popular spot among visitors in To-ji Temple. Enjoy taking lots of photos from different angles. During the special exhibit from January to March every year, you can enter the ground floor and see a gorgeous picture of Buddha. The schedule for the exhibit changes yearly, so check their website (in English and other languages) for details.
2Highlight
The Kondo Hall
Built in the 8th century, the Kondo hall was burned down in 1486 and reconstructed in 1603. The design of the roof was based on both the Japanese irimoya style and the Hindu style. The Yakushi Nyorai statue stands in the center of the hall and is believed to heal illnesses. If you have any problems with your body, it may be a good idea to pay a visit to the statue for its blessing.
3Good Experiences
Making a wish at Chinshu-Hachimangu Shrine
Do you have any dreams that you wish to make come true? This shrine may help you! Although it is located inside To-ji, you can visit the shrine without any extra charge.
4Good Experiences
Browsing the To-ji Kobo Market
On the 21st of every month, the To-ji Kobo Market is held in the temple. A wide range of valuable Japanese antiques are sold at reasonable prices and you can get discounts if you are good at haggling. If it’s your first time at the market, just browsing is nice too if you just want to get a feeling of the place. See more info in this article To-ji Kobo.
- Manner & Tips -
Please do not take any photos of the Buddha statues or take food inside the temple.
