⛩️ To-ji (East Temple)

The official name is "Kōyōgokoku-ji," and the "Five-Story Pagoda" within its grounds is regarded as a landmark of Kyoto. Tō-ji was built simultaneously with Sai-ji two years after the capital was moved to Heian-kyō in the 13th year of the Enryaku period (794). Sai-ji fell into disrepair during the late Heian period, while Tō-ji's buildings have been rebuilt multiple times after suffering from fires. The Golden Hall built by Toyotomi Hideyori and the Five-Story Pagoda constructed by Tokugawa Iemitsu are both designated as national treasures. There is an admission fee for the area primarily featuring the Golden Hall and the Lecture Hall. The Lecture Hall, located directly in front of the entrance, was rebuilt during the Muromachi period and houses 21 Buddhist statues, which are national treasures and important cultural properties, arranged in a structure resembling a mandala, created from the Heian period to the Edo period. Behind it stands the Golden Hall, a representative building from the Momoyama period. Inside the Golden Hall, there is a seated statue of Yakushi Nyorai, and it is generally believed that the statue and the building were created in the same period. The Five-Story Pagoda, towering at 55 meters behind the Gourd Pond, is the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan. The treasure hall is open to the public during special openings in spring and autumn. Visitors can view the massive statue of Kannon with a thousand arms, which was originally located in Sai-ji, among others. Walking from the North Great Gate leads to the Kanchi-in, founded by the high priest Kōhō during the Northern and Southern Dynasties period.

Inside the lecture hall, there is a historic arrangement of Buddha statues forming a three-dimensional mandala. Looking up from the Gourd Pond, the best photo spot is the tallest five-story pagoda in Japan. On the 21st of each month, the Kōbō Daishi Market is held in honor of Kōbō Daishi's lunar birthday. During the spring and autumn seasons, the treasure museum is specially opened, hosting different themed exhibitions each time. The Kanchi-in also features sliding doors believed to be painted by Miyamoto Musashi.