Tofuku-ji Temple – Head Temple of Rinzai Sect
- Highlight
- A scene from the treasure hall where many ancient paintings and writings are on display
Treasures that have survived repeated fires to reach us today
This temple was founded by the imperial advisor Michiie Kujo, who opened it as his family temple in 1236, spending 19 years building Tofuku-ji, to create the biggest temple in Kyoto. However, over the ensuing century, in 1319, 1334 and 1336, most of the halls were burned down in blazes. It was fully restored in 1346, becoming the largest Zen temple in Kyoto. Nevertheless, several of the halls were burnt down again in 1881 and have been restored one by one during the 20th century.
Yet, through all of this adversity, the temple still boasts the oldest sanmon, or triple main gate, (National Treasure) in Japan as well as the Zendo (meditation hall) and Yokushitsu (bathing room) that have survived since early in the 14th century and are both Important Cultural Properties. The Komyo Hoden is home to more than 5,000 cultural assets related to Tofuku-ji and its sub temples. These include a painting of the Chinese monk Wuzhun Shifan (National Treasure) and the statue of Amida Nyorai (Important Cultural Property). And, this treasure hall is opened for a special exhibition on varied occasions.
Seated statue of Amida Nyorai (Important Cultural Property)
Main hall
Address | 778 Honmachi 15 chome, Higashiyama-ku |
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TEL | 075-561-0087 |
FAX | 075-533-0621 |
URL | http://www.tofukuji.jp |
Hours | Apr-late Oct: 9:00-16:00 (gate closes at 16:30), Nov-early Dec: 8:30-16:00 (gate closes at 16:30), Early Dec-late Mar: 9:00-15:30 (gate closes at 16:00) |
Closed | None |
Adm | Tsuten bridge, founding hall/Honbo garden: Adults ¥400, Elementary and junior high school students ¥300 ※Komyo Hoden only open to public in spring (late Apr-early May), and is charged separately |
Access | An 8-min walk from Keihan Toba-kaido Stn/A 10-min walk from JR and Keihan Tofukuji Stn/A 10-min walk from Tofukuji Stop of City Bus |
Parking | Available (Free) but not available during special viewing period in autumn |
Facilities near by
Kyoto City Zoo
Consider the welfare of animals
KIYOMIZUYAKI no SATO Museum
A traditional craft of a city heavily associated with pottery
Daigo-ji Temple Reiho-kan
A treasure hall of famed treasures to view amidst famed vista of cherry-blossoms
Kyoto National Museum
Preserving the cultural assets of our hometown Kyoto