To-ji Temple

To-ji Temple

Introduction

To-ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built shortly after the establishment of Heian-kyo (Kyoto) to protect the nation. In 823 AD, the temple was bestowed upon Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), becoming a center for Shingon Buddhism. The lecture hall houses 21 Buddhist statues including the Five Great Wisdom Kings, with the Great Sun Buddha (Vairocana) at the center; the Hall of the Great Master was Kūkai’s residence during his lifetime, enshrining a statue of Kūkai and a seated image of the Immovable Wisdom King (Fudō Myōō), which he cherished. The temple’s five-story pagoda stands 56.4 meters tall, reconstructed by Tokugawa Iemitsu, and is the tallest pagoda in Japan. The temple houses many national treasure-level esoteric Buddhist artifacts. The 21st of each month is a temple fair day, when the temple becomes especially lively. Transportation  Take the Kintetsu Railway to To-ji Station and walk about 5 minutes; or take a city bus to To-ji Higashimon-mae Stop.

 Kyoto, Japan