What is the history of Toji Temple? Originally a temple built to protect the east side of Heian-kyo
Toji Temple” is the head temple of the Toji Shingon sect (one of the Shingon sects) located in Kujo-machi, Minami-ku, Kyoto, and is also known as “Kyoo Gokokuji Temple.
Its official name is “Konkomyo Shitenno Kyo-o-Gokoku-ji Himitsu Denpoin”.
It is said that the temple was founded in 796 in the early Heian period (794-1192), and was built on the east side of Rashomon (the main gate of Heian-kyo) as a protection for Heian-kyo, where the capital was located at that time (the temple was built by the Imperial Court).
*When it was founded, it was paired with “Seidera” on the west side of Rashomon.
Later, in 823, Kobo Daishi (Kukai) was given “Toji” by Emperor Saga, and since then, the temple has flourished as a Shingon sect temple. In the Kamakura period (1185-1333), it was worshipped by many as “the temple of Odaishi-sama” due to Kobo Daishi worship.
In the Kamakura period (1185-1333), the temple was worshipped as “Odaishi-sama’s temple” by many people due to the belief in Kobo Daishi.
*The Toyotomi and Tokugawa families provided assistance during the Warring States and Azuchi-Momoyama periods.
And in 1994, it was registered as a World Heritage site as one of the components of “Cultural Properties of Ancient Kyoto.
What kind of structures are there in Toji Temple? Introducing spots you should see and more!
There are many buildings in To-ji Temple, but here I would like to introduce a few that are particularly worth seeing. The first is Kondo.
Kondo is located in front of the main gate and was the first of the buildings in To-ji Temple.
The current Kondo was rebuilt in 1603 with a donation from Toyotomi Hideyori, and is designated as a National Treasure.
Inside, Yakushi Sanzon (Yakushi Nyorai, Nikko Bosatsu, and Gekko Bosatsu), the principal image of “To-ji Temple” and designated as an important cultural property, is enshrined.
Next is the “lecture hall.
The original “lecture hall” was built by Kobo Daishi over a period of about 10 years, and the present “lecture hall” was rebuilt in 1491 and is designated as an important cultural property.
Inside, 21 statues of Dainichi Nyorai and other statues are enshrined, and the oldest three-dimensional mandala in Japan can be seen.
The most famous structure in To-ji Temple is the five-story pagoda.
This “five-story pagoda” stands 54.8 meters tall, making it the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan.
The pagoda was destroyed by fire four times before being rebuilt in 1644 with donations from Tokugawa Iemitsu.
The five-story pagoda is designated as a National Treasure.
Other national treasures include “Daishido”, “Renkamon”, and “Kanchiin Kyakuden”, and important cultural properties include “Keikamon” and “Hokusoumon”, so please see these as well.
Access to Toji Temple
1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, 601-8473,
Parking around Toji Temple
Toji temple Official Website
Official site：https://toji.or.jp/admission/
Recommended around Toji temple