In this video, you will explore Toji Temple and Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto, Japan with me. Toji Temple (東寺, Tōji) has the tallest pagoda in Japan. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
Tōji temple was founded in 796 and it was one of the only three Buddhist temples allowed in Kyoto at the time Kyoto became the capital of Japan.
In this video, you will see Toji’s five-story pagoda, which was originally erected by Kobo Daishi in 826. It is 57 meters tall, making it the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan.
The Kondo Hall is the temple’s main hall and it houses Toji’s main object of worship, a wooden statue of the Yakushi Buddha, flanked by his two attendants, the Nikko and Gakko Bodhisattvas.
Just next door, you will see Kodo Hall, which served as the temple’s lecture hall. It houses 19 statues imported by Kobo Daishi from China, which are arranged according to a mandala with Dainichi Buddha (Vairocana) at the center, surrounded by Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and the fearful and guardian kings.
Just outside of the paid area, you will see Miedo Hall (Founder’s Hall) with a statue of Kobo Daishi. The Homotsukan Museum, which is Toji Temple’s treasure house displays several large Buddhist statues and other important artifacts.
On the 21st of each month, a famous flea market is held on the grounds of Tō-ji. This market is popularly called Kōbō-san, in honor of Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai), who died on the 21 of the third Month of 835 AD (22 April in the Western Calendar). The flea market features a variety of antiques, art, clothes, pottery, some food, and typical second-hand flea market goods. By far the largest market is held on December 21, as it is the last of the year.
A similar market is held on the 25th of every month at Kitano Tenmangū, also called Tenjin. A Kyoto proverb proclaims, “Fair weather at Tō-ji market means rainy weather at Tenjin market”, calling to mind Kyoto’s fickle weather.
A smaller, less-crowded, antique-oriented market is held at the Tō-ji grounds on the first Sunday of each month.
You will also see Tofukui Temple in this video,. Tōfuku-ji (東福寺) is a Buddhist temple in Higashiyama-ku in Kyoto, Japan. Tōfuku-ji takes its name from two temples in Nara, Tōdai-ji and Kōfuku-ji. It is one of the Kyoto Gozan or “five great Zen temples of Kyoto”. Tōfukuji temple was founded in 1236 by the imperial chancellor Kujō Michiie.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:41 Walking to Toji’s entrance
2:36 Miedo Hall
5:14 Toji Temple
7:26 Toji 5-Story Pagoda
9:20 Kondo Hall
10:14 Kodo Hall
11:47 Tofukuji Temple
22:07 Kaisando Hall
21:18 Tsutenkyo Bridge
✅ You might enjoy watching some of these other videos:
✔️ Kiyomizudera Temple: https://youtu.be/9-0ndiFkUL8
✔️ Kinkakuji Temple (The Golden Pavilion):https://youtu.be/ffakvQbCpCk
✔️ Higashiyama District & Kodaiji Temple: https://youtu.be/Hv_goYJxvAM
✔️ Where to stay in Kyoto, Japan: https://youtu.be/5ZeZ__NqvCM
✔️ Gion Geisha District: https://youtu.be/-cuC62za0e0
✅ You might also enjoy watching some of my other videos of Japan:
✔️ 🇯🇵 Japan Travel Videos:
Music during the video:
“Synchrotron” by Guy Copeland
“Wonder Cave” by Deskant
“Soul Temple” by Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
“Crying Winds” by Deskant
“Alive Without Breathing” by Deskant
“As Loch Awe Weeps” by Deskant
#japan #kyoto #kyototemple
3 Comments
Apologies for the shaky footage toward the end of the video. The rain was so heavy and my camera struggled a lot in that low light condition.
BTW you handled the rain storm pretty well and thank you for all your efforts. Question! Are visitors allowed to go to the top pagoda floor?
Loving these videos! Excellent camera work despite the bad weather condition 👍