Toji Temple in Kyoto – Highlights & Personal photos.

2023-12-142024-09-19

Toji Temple is the only temple left in Kyoto from about 1200 years ago during the Heian period. The five-storied pagoda, which is said to be the symbol of Kyoto, is especially famous. Many tourists from Japan and abroad visit Toji Temple, where they can experience Japanese history and culture.

This article will share the highlights of Toji Temple, along with some personal photographs.

Getting to Toji Temple from Kyoto Station

The most convenient way to reach Toji Temple from Kyoto Station is by train. You can walk to Toji Temple from Kyoto Station, but it takes about 15 minutes, so I got a bit tired. On the way back, I took the train, and it was much easier.

STEP

Take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line at Kintetsu Kyoto Station.

The Kintetsu Kyoto Station is located on the second floor of Kyoto Station Building.

The photo above shows the entrance to the Kintetsu Kyoto Station.

Kyoto Station is the first stop, but the express trains do not stop at Toji Station, so you will need to take a local train.

STEP

Disembark at Toji Station.

Toji Station is the first station from Kyoto Station, a brief 2-minute journey.

STEP

From Toji Station, walk about 450m, which takes about 6 minutes.

At the south entrance, there is a large gate called the Nandaimon. This gate is about 18 meters wide and 13 meters tall and was moved here in 1895 from the west gate of Sanjusangendo. It is also designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

After passing through the Nandaimon Gate, you will find the ticket office for the paid area where you can see the five-storied pagoda and other sights.

Highlights of Toji Temple

Toji Temple is the first Esoteric Buddhist temple built in Japan. Esoteric Buddhism is a type of Buddhism in Japan often translated as secret teachings. It is passed down through masters spiritually rather than taught through textbooks, and it is usually taught one-on-one, in contrast to the group settings of Exoteric Buddhism. Toji Temple was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994 due to its long history, beautiful architecture, and importance as a esoteric Buddhist temple.

Immediately after entering the paid area, there is a building called Kodo Hall. You can see the inside of the building, where 21 Buddha statues of various sizes are lined up. 16 of them have been designated as national treasures.

The main hall of Toji Temple, called Kondo Hall, is located right next to Kodo Hall. The Kondo Hall was the first building built when Toji Temple was built in 796. This building was destroyed by fire in 1486, but was rebuilt in 1603. It is a representative building from around the 17th century and has been designated as a national treasure.

You can also see the inside of the building, where a statue of Medicine Buddha is enshrined. Medicine Buddha is a Buddha who cures diseases and protects physical and mental health. Kondo Hall does not have as many Buddha statues as Kodo Hall, but the Medicine Buddha statue is huge anyway. Including the pedestal, the statue of Medicine Buddha reaches a height of approximately 10 meters, and its scale is overwhelming.

The five‐storied pagoda, a national treasure and symbol of Kyoto, is located at the back of the paid area. It is 54.8 meters high and is known as the tallest wooden structure in Japan. The five‐storied pagoda has been destroyed by fire four times, mainly due to lightning strikes, but it has been repaired each time. The five-storied pagoda that we can see today is the fifth generation, and was rebuilt in 1644. You will be overwhelmed by its impressive height of approximately 55 meters.

What is secretly famous here are the statues of demons placed at the four corners under the first-story roof. The Demons with unique expressions support the tower at the four corners.

Depending on where you look, you can enjoy different views of the five-storied pagoda.

There is a magnificent willow tree outside the paid area. There is an anecdote about this willow about a master of calligraphy around the 10th century. It is said that a man named Michikaze Ono, who was depressed over his lack of calligraphy skills, was cheered up under this willow when he saw a frog desperately trying to grab onto the willow leaf and succeeding over and over again. It is said that the sight of the frog made him determined that if he did not give up and worked hard, he would find a path, and eventually became a master of calligraphy.