Category: Building

  • Hokoji Temple (方広寺)

    Hokoji Temple (方広寺)

    The Daibutsuden (Great Buddha Hall) built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi once stood where Hokoji Temple stands today. It is believed to have been built to replace the Great Buddha Hall in Nara, which was destroyed in a war. At that time, the temple was not called Hokoji Temple, but rather a private facility of the Toyotomi…

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  • Toyokuni Jinja Shrine (豊国神社)

    Toyokuni Jinja Shrine (豊国神社)

    The head shrine of Toyokuni Jinja Shrines in Japan, which enshrine Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is a god of success in life and the fulfillment of good marriage. This shrine was originally located halfway up Amidagamine. However, the Tokugawa Shogunate abandoned it after the fall of the Toyotomi family. In 1880, the Meiji government rebuilt the…

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  • Kyoto National Museum (京都国立博物館)

    Kyoto National Museum (京都国立博物館)

    The Kyoto National Museum was established to collect, house, and exhibit to the public tangible cultural properties as stipulated by the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. The museum also conducts related research, surveys, and other projects in order to preserve and utilize these valuable national assets.Source: Museum’s Official WEB site This museum opened…

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  • Shougoin Monzeki (聖護院門跡)

    Shougoin Monzeki (聖護院門跡)

    The history of Shougoin dates back to 1090. When High Priest Zoyo, who served as a forerunner to Emperor Shirakawa’s visit to Kumano, received the temple. Emperor named it “Shogoin” after his achievement of “protecting the Eucharist”. The temple was later moved from place to place in Kyoto due to warfare and fire, but was…

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  • Shimogamo Jinja Shrine (下鴨神社)

    Shimogamo Jinja Shrine (下鴨神社)

    Shimogamo Jinja Shrine, together with Kamigamo Jinja Shrine, is definitory one of the most important shrines in Kyoto. Although it doesn’t have an outstanding photo spot like the vermilion torii gate of Fushimi Inari Shrine, its ancient history and forested environment are worth mentioning. In addition, 31 buildings, including the tower gate, dance hall, kimono…

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  • Shusuisha (秀穂舎)

    Shusuisha (秀穂舎)

    In Shimogamo Miyakawacho (south of Shimogamo Jinja Shrine), there is the Old Asada Family Residence. This is a remnant of “Shake” built in the middle of the Edo period. Currently, the “Shake” building has been maintained and is open to the public as the Kamosha Museum/Shusuisha.” Google map “Shake” refers to the houses of the…

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  • Obai-in temple (黄梅院), Daitokuji

    Obai-in temple (黄梅院), Daitokuji

    Obai-in temple’s gardens are must see if you have chance. This temple is a real hidden gem in Kyoto. Oda Nobunaga built Obai-an in 1562 as a memorial service for his father, Oda Nobuhide. And it is one of the sub-temples of Daitokuji Temple. After Nobunaga’s sudden death due to the Honnoji Incident, Hideyoshi Hashiba…

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  • Daisen-in (大仙院), Daitokuji

    Daisen-in (大仙院), Daitokuji

    Daisen-in is the most important sub-temple of Daitokuji Temple. In 1509 Rokkaku Masayori founded Daisen-in. The main hall is the original building. It is one of the oldest remaining Zen sect hojo buildings and is a national treasure. Shoin is an important cultural property. The garden is said to be a rock garden representing Karesansui…

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  • Ryogen-in (龍源院), Daitokuji

    Ryogen-in (龍源院), Daitokuji

    Ryogen-in is a sub-temple of Daitokuji Temple. This temple was founded in 1502 by Yoshimoto Hatakeyama, Yoshinaga Otomo, and Yoshioki Ouchi. It is the oldest sub-temple of Daitokuji Temple. This temple is usually open to the public. The original buildings, the Hojo, Karamon, and Omotemon, are important cultural properties. Kyoto City Official Travel Guide Ryogen-in…

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  • Korin-in (興臨院), Daitokuji

    Korin-in (興臨院), Daitokuji

    Korin-in is the sub-temple of Daitokuji Temple. It is not open to the public except on special viewing days. Hatakeyama family of Noto built in 1520s. Since then, it has become the family temple of the Noto Hatakeyama clan. The main hall was later destroyed by fire and has been rebuilt. After the fall of…

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  • Zuiho-in (瑞峯院), Daitokuji

    Zuiho-in (瑞峯院), Daitokuji

    Zuiho-in is a sub-temple of Daitokuji Temple. This temple is usually open to the public. In 1535, Otomo Sorin, known as a Christian daimyo, built Zuiho-in as the family temple of the Otomo family. The guest hall, front gate, and Karamon gate that remain from the time of its construction are important cultural properties. The…

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  • Daitokuji Temple (大徳寺)

    Daitokuji Temple (大徳寺)

    The best time to visit Daitokuji is in the fall. Many sub-temples are open to the public in this season. Daitokuji Temple is the head temple of the Daitokuji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. It was founded in 1315 at the end of the Kamakura period. Onin War devastated the Temple. But…

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  • Sumiya (角屋) in Shimabara

    Sumiya (角屋) in Shimabara

    Sumiya is an ageya (restaurant/feast facility) that once operated in Kyoto’s Shimabara red-light district (present-day Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City). Its building has been designated as a national important cultural property. It has been open to the public as the Sumiya Hospitality Culture Museum since 2011. Currently, only the first floor is open to the public.…

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  • Wachigaiya (輪違屋)

    Wachigaiya (輪違屋)

    Wachigaiya is usually closed to the public. Shimabara was the only prestigious red-light district in Kyoto that was officially recognized by the Shogunate. Wachigaiya continues to operate today and is the only tea house/okiya in Japan that has its own Tayu. An okiya is like a production house where maiko and geiko are housed, trained,…

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