- Address: Japan, 〒605-0825 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward
- Phone: +81 75-561-9966
- Official website: www.kodaiji.com
- Working hours: 9.00 - 17.30
- Ticket price: $ 6
It is one of the most famous temples of Kyoto . In 1606, in memory of his warrior-husband Toyotomi Hijosi, his wife Nene created in Kyoto an outstanding Buddhist temple Kodai-ji. It is located on a small picturesque hill in the Higashiyama area. The main buildings are richly decorated and surrounded by beautiful Zen gardens. Tourists flock to this sanctuary to stroll through the refined lands, learn the history of Japan and feel the atmosphere of appeasement. From the top of the hill there are beautiful views not only on the territory of the temple, but also on most of the city.
Description
The entrance to the temple leads to the main hall, which was originally covered with varnish and gold, but after the fire of 1912 was rebuilt in a more modest style. The building is surrounded by gardens designed by the landscape designer Kobori Anshu. They represent an exceptional part of landscape architecture with large stones and trees, located on a hilly landscape amongst elegant temple buildings, tea houses and a bamboo grove.
Gardens are recognized by the Japanese government as a national treasure. One of them is a garden in the style of tsukiyama. It has several ponds in which there is an island in the form of a turtle, and one of the stones reminds a crane. Both these beings symbolize longevity. In the spring and autumn, the garden hosts exhibitions of contemporary art with beautiful illumination at night.
The second park is a rock garden with gravel, symbolizing the ocean. It is dramatically decorated with a blossoming cherry.
Architecture of the temple
Most of the complex was destroyed in the fire of 1789. The buildings that survived were:
- Kaison to is the place where Nene prayed for Hesyoshi, and now their wooden statues are stored here, as well as paintings by artists from the schools of Kano and Tosa. The hall is dedicated to the priest-founder Kodai-ji. The walls and columns are decorated with gold, alongside the sand sculptures is located the dragon Kano Aitoku.
- The next room is Otama I (Sanctuary), a memorial in which things are stored by Toyotomi Hijouxi. One of the shrines is Jinbaori Hezyoshi, the coat that was worn over the armor, it is woven of gold and silver threads. It is believed that the object is made of Persian carpet.
- Kangetsu Dai is a covered bridge that was brought from the castle of Fushimi and was used by Hijouxi as a platform for observing the moon. The bridge crosses the creek and pond to Engetsu and connects with the Cayson before.
What else is interesting temple Kodai-ji?
On the territory of the temple there is a beautiful bamboo grove and several tea houses. Tea houses Casa dei (an umbrella in the form of a gazebo) and Shigur tei - a classic, developed by the famous master of tea ceremony Senno Rikyu. The roof of the Casa is made of logs and thin bamboo, giving it the look of a traditional umbrella, hence the name.
Behind the temple on the hillside is a mausoleum in which the Hijosi and Nene are buried. The interior is richly decorated with designs of powder gold and silver in varnish, made in the technique typical of Kodai-ji.
Coming out of the temple, visitors get on the road Nene, which leads to the streets of the Higashiyama district. There is a recently rebuilt area with shops and cafes. Nearby is a small museum showing the treasures of Nene.
How to get there?
By Keihan railway to Shijo station, then 20 minutes walk. City bus number 206 from the station of Kyoto to Higashiyama Yasui and 5 minutes on foot.