Five-Story Pagodas in Kyoto (京都五重塔巡り)

There are four five-story pagodas in Kyoto City. They are all heritage sites of historical and cultural importance. Two of them are national treasures and the other two are important cultural properties.

This tour course will take you to all five-story pagodas in Kyoto.

Toji Temple

The Pagoda in Toji Temple is the fifth reconstruction in 1644. It is the highest wooden structure in Japan. It is a National Treasure.

Toji Temple (東寺)

Daigoji Temple

The Pagoda of Daigoji Temple is the oldest wooden structure in Kyoto since 951. It is a part of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Daigoji Temple (醍醐寺)

Pagoda Yasaka

Pagoda Yasaka is a landmark in the area. This Pagoda is located near the Kiyomizudera Temple. So this may be the most popular pagoda in Kyoto. It is also an Important Cultural Property. It belongs to the Hokanji Temple.

Pagoda Yasaka, Hokanji (法観寺)

Ninnaji Temple

Ninnaji Temple is a World Heritage Site and the Pagoda is an Important Cultural Property.

Ninnaji Temple (仁和寺)

https://kyoto-design.jp/report/30197

What are five-story pagodas?

You may be wondering what a five-story pagoda is in the first place and why they are in Buddhist temples.

The five-story pagoda is a stupa. A stupa is a Buddhist structure in which the remains of Buddha are enshrined. The reason why a five-story pagoda has five stories is because it represents the Five Great Ideas. The five great ideas in Buddhism are that the universe is composed of the five elements of earth, water, fire, wind, and sky. Therefore, the roof of the five-story pagoda represents the five elements of earth, water, fire, wind, and sky from the bottom, indicating the Buddhist view of the universe.

Pagodas in Kyoto during the Heian Period

In Kyoto during the Heian period (794-1185), numerous pagodas were built. The capital at that time, Heiankyo, was known as “the capital of a hundred pagodas” because Buddhist temples were actively built.

Pagodas were used to store stupas, to enshrine Buddhist statues, and as places of practice for esoteric Buddhism. Tall pagodas also attracted people’s faith as symbols of the city.

However, there are few pagodas in existence, and the only five-story pagoda in existence is the pagoda at Daigoji Temple. Also, the three-story pagoda of Joruriji Temple is a relocated version of one of the pagodas built in Kyoto around this time.