🗺️ Tofuku-ji東福寺

Tōfuku-ji is the head temple of the "Rinzai sect Tōfuku-ji school." Regent Kujō Michitaka vowed to build the Bodhi Temple and commissioned the monk Shōichi to establish it. Construction began in 1236 and took 19 years, completing in 1255 with the seven-hall complex. Along with famous temples like Tenryū-ji, it is recognized as one of the "Five Mountains of Kyoto." Since its establishment, Tōfuku-ji has experienced multiple wars. The current "Sanmon" (Great Gate) was rebuilt in 1425 and is the oldest existing Zen temple gate in Japan, standing at an impressive height of 22 meters. It was designated as a national treasure in 1952. The monk's hall (meditation room), tōshi (toilet), and gyokuseki (bathing room) within Tōfuku-ji have been preserved from the early Muromachi period (14th century). The main hall and dharma hall were destroyed by fire in 1881 and were rebuilt in 1934. In the main hall, in addition to a 15-meter tall statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, there are approximately 7.5-meter tall statues of Kannon and Maitreya Bodhisattvas on either side. Additionally, the "Ryūgin-an National Treasure Hōjō" (the residence of the abbot or elder in a Zen temple) is the oldest existing Hōjō building in Japan, surrounded by a dry landscape garden. Bridges such as the Engetsu Bridge, Tōten Bridge, and Wagyū Bridge lead to the founder's hall in the valley, which is most famous for its autumn maple leaves. It is one of the most beloved places for viewing autumn foliage in Kyoto. From the statue of the founder Shōichi to Zen paintings by the monk Zōten (Meichō) and other national treasures and important cultural properties primarily from the Kamakura and Muromachi periods, as well as Buddhist statues and crafts from the Heian and Kamakura periods, the temple houses over 5,000 cultural assets. Furthermore, in autumn, the maple leaves in the valleys running through the interior of Tōfuku-ji turn a fiery red, making it a renowned spot for autumn foliage viewing in Kyoto.

The head temple of the Rinzai Zen Eastern Fukushi sect was established in 1255. It features the "Sanmon," the oldest Zen temple gate architecture in Japan. The monk's hall, toilet, and stone room showcase the appearance from the early Muromachi period (14th century) to the present. The valley within the grounds is a well-known spot for autumn foliage. The temple houses over 5,000 cultural properties, including paintings, Buddha statues, and crafts.