Toji Temple, Kyoto

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The Toji Temple is one of the temples in Kyoto that is a "must see temple". Every single temple in Kyoto has it's own beauty but the Toji Temple is very unique. It's ground and compound is so large that it actually reminds me of the old universities in the United States. The temple has so many structures. Each one has it's own unique beauty.

The Toji Temple was built in the 13th year of the Enryaku (794).Iit is a national treasure of Japan. In fact, the pagoda is the symbol mostly used in Japan internationally- just like the Kinkakuji Temple. The pagoda is about 187 feet. Emperor Kammu transferred the capital from Nara to Kyoto and he built two guard temples on the east and the west siden of the Rajyo-mon. The Toji Temple was built on the East. It is the East Temple.

The temple was built by Kobo-daishi in 826. The temple was burned down four times after being struck by lightning. The present pagoda was built by the third Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu in 1644. Inside the temple, the images of the Four Buddhas and their followers, the eight great Bosatsu, are found. Unfortunately, I can't show you the pictures because it is very sacred. Taking pictures inside the temple is strictly prohibited.

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My sisters and I adored the Koi pond at the Toji Temple. We probably took a lot of pictures at the pond- stepped on the stones to cross the pond, sat on the big stones, stood up between the stones and we were just having blast taking pictures of ourselves when suddenly a huge koi jumped out of the water. Luckily, I was able to take a picture of the Koi! There were several Koi fish swimming close to us. I assume they were waiting to be fed. The fish are huge!

The pond is so beautiful and the backdrop were the beautiful maple trees and the Pagoda!

Toji Temple is a 57-m five-storied pagoda and the tallest pagoda in Japan. It was erected to the east of the southern gate Rasho-mon in order to protect the capital from the evil spirits.

Open : 9:00 am
Close: 4:30 pm

Admission Fee : 500 Yen

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There are many different structures inside the compound of the Toji Temple. Two of the buildings house the Golden Buddha. The first shrine has a huge Golden Buddha in the middle. There is a keeper inside the shrine where you can ask him to write some of your prayers and wishes in Japanese characters. While I was there I saw a group praying together.

We were not allowed to take pictures inside the shrine. I can describe how it looked like though. The shrine was dark with only a small light coming from an opening opposite themain door. The wood that were used to build the shrine are huge. It was not painted or anything. It was almost darked brown. They are solid and very durable since it withstood time and different kinds of weather. In the middle of the shrine is a huge seated Buddha. And, in front was a huge jar where people can stick their lighted incense. At the far right of the shrine is an open little room where a keeper writes in Japanese characters the wishes and prayers of visitors for a fee. As you enter the front door, there are other pieces of sculptured people - they are considered the shoguns.

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Toji temple is the eastern temple that sat at the entrance of Imperial Kyoto with the western temple at the opposite end, marking the southern entrance to the city. Only Toji Temple remains today, and its pagoda is famed as the tallest in Japan!

Toji Temple features an excellent display of Buddhist sculptures inside many of its other buildings, as well as the temple museum. While the pagoda attracts many visitors, the temple's treasures do not stand to be outdone! For someone who thinks the pagoda is the only reason to go to Toji, these will be a wonderful surprise!

The buildings that make up Toji Temple are also located amidst a lovely garden! While Toji Temple does not often come to mind as a place to see cherry blossoms, it is personally one of my favorite places in Kyoto for hanami! The blossoms at Toji are gorgeous, and the surrounding temple with the pagoda creates the perfect atmosphere for the historical temple visit and cherry blossom viewing!

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I am not really sure what's it's name but it is a very prominent structure of the Toji Temple. Once you get inside the compound of the Toji Temple, you will see this monument to the left where it is kind of surrounded by mini-cemented fences. This structure is famous because this is used in most of the Toji's souvenir key chains. (If you know the name of this structure, please don't hesitate to let me know).

While I was there, one of the keepers of the temple was cleaning it - spray washing. While the rest of the staff were raking the leaves on the ground. It was very early when we went there because we didn't like to miss to visit the rest of the temples.

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At least we spent an hour visiting the Toji Temple. We walked around the pond with its beautiful and colorful Koi fish. There are also beautiful Japanese maple trees. The shrines are so spectacular.

We checked on all the shrines with all the buddhas inside. There are three shrines where people went and prayed. The Buddhas are huge. I can see the antiquity of the structure what with all the huge trees they have used to build the temple.

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The picture shot of the Toji temple taken at main gate on Kujo Street is not as beautiful as on the other end of the compount of the temple. You have to walk around passing all the different structures and get into the main entrance where you can actually see the five stories of the Toji Temple.

In the beginning, as soon as we got into the main gate, we were excited to take pictures. However, we were telling ourselves why the keepers of the Toji Temple didn't cut the trees so we can actually see the temple. The huge trees are actually blocking the view! But, hey, we were mistaken! We just have to walk around the compound and voila! We can have the most beautiful and spectacular view of the temple!

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This is the first temple that we visited on our return to Kyoto. It was a rainy day...but so hot that it hardly mattered. We skipped between the halls and the pagoda whilst it rained heavily, and when it let up a bit we had a wander in the garden and around the pond.

The temple was first established in 794. A lot of the temples were destroyed in the 15th century due to fire. The lecture hall and the main hall were re-built in the early 1600's. The magnificent 5 storey pagoda was last rebuilt in 1643...it had burnt down 5 times previous to that. It is the highest pagoda in Japan (57 metres).

Open daily 8.30am - 4.30 pm
Entry fee is 500 yen

The pagode of the To-ji is the highest wooden pagode in Japan. It is built in 1644 and measures 55 meter.
The temple was erected on this place in 796, but the present building dates from 1603.
The founder of this temple Kukai, is commerated each month on the 21th.
The entrance fee to see it all inside is 500 Yen.