Tofuku-ji Temple

To-fuku-ji

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Be captivated by the stunning autumn foliage and the National Treasure Sanmon gate! Immerse yourself in history and natural beauty at this Zen temple, one of Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples.

Shrines and Temples
World Heritage
Flower Viewing

HighlightsThe National Treasure Sanmon Gate
Tsutenkyo Bridge - Famous for Autumn Foliage
Hasso-no-niwa Garden designed by Mirei Shigemori
Japan's Oldest Zen Meditation Hall
Precious Cultural Assets

Basic Information

Address: 15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0981, Japan Search for tourist attractions in Kyoto

Access: Approximately a 10-minute walk from Tofukuji Station on the JR Nara Line. Approximately a 10-minute walk from Tofukuji Station on the Keihan Main Line. Approximately a 4-minute walk from the Tofukuji bus stop on the Kyoto City Bus. Show route

Op.Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (9:00 AM to 3:30 PM from December 2nd to March 31st, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM from November 1st to December 1st)

Cld.Days: None

Fee: Tofuku-ji Temple Main Hall Garden (Hojo): Adults ¥500, Children ¥300 Tsutenkyo Bridge & Founder's Hall: Adults ¥600, Children ¥300 (Adults ¥1000, Children ¥500 during the autumn season)

INFO: Expect significant congestion during the special autumn opening period. Re-entry is not allowed.

HP: https://tofukuji.jp/

Overview

Tofuku-ji Temple was founded in 1236 by Regent Kujo Michiie. Dreaming of a grand temple comparable to Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji, he named it using the characters 'To' (東) and 'Fuku' (福). The founding abbot was Saint Priest Kokushi, who studied Zen in Song China. The temple grounds are home to many precious cultural assets, including the Sanmon gate (a National Treasure) built in the Muromachi period and Japan's oldest Zen meditation hall. Particularly famous is the autumn foliage viewed from the Tsutenkyo Bridge. The approximately 2,000 maple trees that fill the valley create a truly spectacular sight. Also, don't miss the Hasso-no-niwa garden in the hojo (abbot's quarters), designed by Mirei Shigemori, a leading garden designer of the Showa era. Based on Zen philosophy, the four gardens abstractly express the world using stones, sand, and moss, quietly stirring the hearts of those who view them. Tofuku-ji Temple is a place where history, culture, and nature intertwine, a place where the beauty of Japan is condensed. It is a temple with profound charm, offering new discoveries with each visit.

Tofuku-ji Temple

Highlights

Basic Information

Overview

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