To-ji Temple Treasure Museum

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Standing statue of the Thousand-armed Kannon caught up in a fire in 1930 but restored to its former glory

Touching the esoteric arts passed down from Kukai

This temple is famous for its pagoda, often referred to as the symbol of Kyoto. Formally known as Kyoogokoku-ji Temple, To-ji was the first ever state-sponsored temple of Esoteric Buddhism, being built in 796, in the south part of the city, just east of the Rajyomon gate to the Heian capital. And, in 823, Emperor Saga ordered Kobo Daishi (Kukai), a well-known monk who had just returned from studying Buddhism in China, to take control of the temple, making it the first esoteric temple in Japan. It is now known as a treasure trove of esoteric art, with the National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties alone amounting to some 20,000 pieces.
Among these, there are grand sculptures, esoteric artworks, letters Kukai wrote to Saicho (another famous Japanese monk) and mandala paintings and other art pieces. The treasure hall on the 1st and 2nd floors opens twice a year in spring and autumn for special themed exhibitions. In conjunction with these exhibitions, Kanchi-in Temple and the pagoda are open to the public as well.