Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto

Tofukuji Temple in Kyoto

Tofukuji Temple was built in 1256 by KUJYO Michiie(1193 - 1252), who was in the prime minister position in the Kamakura Age (1185 - 1333) . Tofuku Temple was named after Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple, which were two major temples since the Nara Age (710 - 794) , to be a major temple. In 1319, all the temple buildings were damaged by fire and rebuilt in 1346.

Please refer the page of "Kofukuji Temple" in Nara:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kansai/KofukujiTemple_E.html

If you walk from Tofukuji Station on the JR Nara and the Keihan Main Line, you will see "Hoku-Daimon" Gate.

"Hoku-Daimon" Gate was built at the end of the sixteenth century. Behind "Hoku-Daimon" Gate, "Nioumon" Gate, Deva Gate, is located.

The Deva Gate was originally built in 1597 as of a gate of Sanshoji temple and was relocated to the current place in 1886. It is designated as an important property of Japan.

After passing through "Hoku-Daimon" Gate and "Nioumon" Gate, you will see branch temples of Tofukuji Temple, located on the both sides of the street. The below left picture shows "Taikoan" Temple.

Taikoan Temple was built in 1346 and rebuilt in 1599 by ANKOKUJI Ekei(1539-1600), who was a Rinzai Monk and a retainer of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi(1537 - 1598).

Taikoan Temple is a cemetery of the victims who died at the "Boshin" War(1868-1869), which was the Japanese civil war between Imperial and Tokugawa Shogunate forces.

The above right picture shows "Gekkamon" Gate, which was built in 1268, which was presented by Emperor KAMEYAMA(1249-1305) as a gate of "Jyorakuan" Temple. "Gekkamon" Gate is also designated as an important property of Japan.

Beyond "Gekkamon" Gate, you will cross over "Gaun-kyo" Bridge. "Gaun-kyo" Bridge is a wooden covered bridge over "Sengyokukan" valley. "Gaun-kyo" Bridge is connected to a public road and open for the public, but it it located in the area of Tofukuji Temple.

To the east, you will see "Tsutenbashi" Bridge over "Sengyokukan" valley. "Sengyokukan" valley is well-known for beautiful colored maple leaves in autumn.

Three bridges are spanned over "Sengyokukan" valley. They are "Engetsukyo", "Tsutenbashi" and "Gaun-kyo" Bridges. "Engetsukyo", and "Gaun-kyo" Bridges are designated as important properties of Japan.

From "Gaun-kyo" Bridge, you will see "Tsutenbashi" Bridge, as shown in the below picture.

You will go into the main temple area of Tofukuji Temple through "Kusakamon" Gate, beyond "Gaun-kyo" Bridge. You will see the Main Hall and the corridor, connected to the Main Hall to the north,

Behind the Corridor, "Hojyo" is located to the east from the Main Hall. You will see "Hojyo Karamon", which is the gate of "Hojyo" built in 1906. It was after 16:00 and "Hojyo" was closed.

If you walk to the south from the Main Hall, you will see "San-Gedatsu-Mon" Gate, which consists of three gates symbolizing three mental states, that is, "Kumon", "Musomon" and "Muganmon". "San-Gedatsu-Mon" Gate was built in 1405 by ASHIKAGA Yoshimochi(1395-1423), who was the fourth Muromachi Shogun in the Muromachi Age (1336 - 1573) . It is designated as a national treasure of Japan.

"San-Gedatsu-Mon" Gate is very huge and is twenty-two meters in height. The view of "Shiryoike" Pond and "San-Gedatsu-Mon" Gate is very impressive.

Then, you will walk back to the Main Hall. The Main Hall is also huge and is 25.5 meters in height. It was rebuilt in 1934. It is one of the biggest wooden buildings, built after Word-War II.

At the end of the Kamakura Age, the five most important Rinzai temples in Kyoto were selected. Nanzenji Temple was considered extraordinarily important and put in the position above these other five important temples. Tofukuji Temple was nominated as one of five most important temples in Kyoto.

Please refer the page of "Nanzenji Temple":
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kansai/NanzenjiTemple_E.html

After visiting Tofukuji Temple, visited "Fundain" Temple, which is a branch temple of Tofukuji Temple and located to the west from "Kusakamon" Gate. It was founded in the early fourteenth century.

"Fundain" Temple is well known for the garden, which was made by SESSHU(1420-1502 or 1506), who was a "Zen" priest and well known for his printings.

Only a few visitors were at the temple. it was very silent and calm at the garden by SESSHU. It was very rich time to stay and see the garden at "Fundain" Temple.

The round window at a tea room is also very impressive.

How to get there
From Kyoto Station, you will take a train on the JR Nara Line and get off the train at Tofukuji Temple Station. You will also go to Tofukuji Temple station by Keihan Railway from Yodoyabashi Station in Osaka. Tofukuji Temple is approximately ten-minute walk from the station.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Kiyomizu Temple
Toji Temple (Kyoogokokuji)
Sennyuji Temple
Fushimi-Inari Shrine
Fushimi Area