Kodaiji Temple is located between the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka-Jinja Shrine, up the mountain side from a narrow path commonly called Nene-no-michi.
History of Kodaiji Temple
Hideyoshi Toyotomi’s wife, Nene (Kita-no-Mandokoro) founded the Kodaiji Temple in 1606 as a place of mourning for Hideyoshi. There are many important cultural assets such as the “Kangetsudai” (moon viewing platform), which was moved from Fushimi Castle, and the “Otamaya” (mausoleum), which is decorated with so-called “Kodaiji maki-e” lacquerware.
In Otamaya, there are wooden statues of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Nene. Nene is being buried 2 meters below her statue. Otamaya literally means where the sprit rests.
The garden around the temple grounds is full of nature and is famous for its cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
Nearby spots
Entoku-in is a sub-temple of the Kodaiji temple. It is the place that Nene actually lived after the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and she died there.
If you walk through a busy shopping street to the south, you can reach to famous Kiyomizu-dera temple.
If you go opposite direction, you will reach to Yasaka Jinja Shrine. Both Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Jinja Shrine are the World Heritage Sites.
Chorakuji Temple is located east of Yasaka Jinja Shrine, up the hill from Maruyama Park. It has a long history.
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