Tofuku-ji Temple, Tsuten-Momiji

The information about Tofuku-ji Temple is presented here. On the north side of the Tofuku-ji grounds, Jorakuan was built, and there are Kaizando, Shodo, Kyakuden (Fumonin), Tassuryo (Shoin), Kuri, Ro-mon (Gate), Shoro (Bell Tower), and Ura-mon (Gate). The second floor of Shodo is said to be the Dennekaku (pavilion), and is said to be the Five Pavilions of Kyoto, along with Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku) of Kinkaku-ji Temple, Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku) of Ginkaku-ji, Hiunkaku (pavilion) of Nishi Hongan-ji Temple, and Donkokaku (pavilion) of Hoshun-in Temple (sub-temple of Daitoku-ji).

• Temple Location Map ＆ Directions
• Temple History
• Temple Highlights

【Tofuku-ji Temple Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 15-778 Honmachi Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Tofukuji bus stop (about 10 minutes on foot), JR Tofukuji Station (about 10 minutes on foot), Keihan Tofukuji Station (about 10 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:00
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual (Tsutenkyo and Kaizando): Adults 600 yen, Junior High School and Elementary School Students 300 yen
Individual (Hojo Garden): Adults 500 yen, Junior High School and Elementary School Students 300 yen

【Tofuku-ji Temple History】

The site of Tofuku-ji Temple (東福寺) was built on the site of Hosho-ji Temple, a Fujiwara clan temple founded in 924 by Fujiwara no Tadahira. Hosho-ji Temple was a temple of the Tendai sect. Later, it is said that Fujiwara no Michinaga built Godaido, Fujiwara no Tadamichi built Saisho Kongoin with his wife Muneko, and Kujo Kanezane built the mountain villa Tsukinowa-dono and Amidado. Tofuku-ji Temple is said to have originated in 1236 when Kujo Michiie, requested the construction of a temple to house the 5 jo (about 15 meters) high statue of Shaka (Buddha) as a bodaiji temple for his grandfather, Kujo Kanezane, and built Butsuden. The temple name “Tofuku-ji” is derived from the names of Todai-ji Temple (東大寺), the main temple of the Kegon sect, and Kofuku-ji Temple (興福寺), the main temple of the Hosso sect, and its founder is Shoichi-kokushi Enni, who returned from So (Chaina) in 1243. Incidentally, the statue of Shaka (Buddha) was completed in 1249, but destroyed by fire in 1319, later recarved in the mid-14th century, but destroyed again by fire in 1881. At Tofuku-ji Temple, the left hand of the Shaka (Buddha) statue, which was recarved in the mid-14th century and survived a fire in 1881, is said to still exist. It is said that the construction of Butsuden began in 1239 and was completed in 1255. It took 19 years from the founding of Tofuku-ji Temple in 1236 to complete the construction of Butsuden. When Kujo Michiie died in 1252, his son Fujiwara no Yoritsune (Kujo Yoritsune), Ichijo Sanekune, and Nijo Yoshizane succeeded him. At Tofuku-ji Temple, halls and pagodas were built for the Tendai, Shingon, and Zen sects, and it was also called “Shin Daibutsu-ji Temple (New Great Buddha Temple). In 1246, Shoichi-kokushi Enni, founder of Tofuku-ji Temple, was given with Fumon-ji Temple and lived there. In 1273, Hato, Sodo, and Shido were built. It is said that the temple complex was completely destroyed by fire in 1319, and the 5 jo (about 15 meters) high statue of Shaka was also destroyed in the fire. In 1334, Tofuku-ji Temple was ranked No.3 in the Gozan system (Five Sacred Temples), and in 1342 it was ranked No.5. In 1336, Hojo was destroyed by fire, and in 1336, the temporary Butsuden was destroyed by fire. In 1346, Ichijo Norimichi rebuilt Butsuden. In 1351, Tofuku-ji Temple became the prayer temple of the 97th Emperor Go-Murakami, the second of the Southern Court. In 1380, Fumon-ji Temple was listed as one of the Jisatsu (ten temples). In 1386, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, ranked Tofuku-ji Temple No.4 among the Kyoto Gozan. In 1386, Hato was rebuilt. It is said that the artist monk Mincho painted “Dai-Nehanzu” in 1408. In the early Muromachi period (1336-1573), Tofuku-ji Temple was repaired with the help of Ashikaga Yoshimochi, the fourth shogun of the Muromachi shogunate. During the Onin War (1467-1477) in the middle of the Muromachi period, the the sub-temple of Tofuku-ji Temple was destroyed by fire. In 1478, Yoshimasa Ashikaga, the 8th shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, guaranteed the territory of the temple. In 1526, Tofuku-ji Temple and the sub-temples were destroyed by a military fire. During the Tensho period (1573-1593), Toyotomi Hideyoshi guaranteed the temple territory of 1,854 koku. In the early Edo period (1603-1868), the temple complex was repaired with the help of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, the 108th Emperor Gomizunoo, and Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo shogunate. In 1614, at the request of Toyotomi Hideyori, son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Bunei Seikan, the 227th head priest of Tofuku-ji Temple, wrote the inscription for the Bonsho (bell) of Hoko-ji Temple, which led to the Hoko-ji Temple Bell Inscription Incident and the downfall of the Toyotomi family. In addition, Bunei Seikan was the head priest of Tentoku-in Temple, the sub-temple of Tofuku-ji Temple, which caused the wrath of Tokugawa Ieyasu and led to the demolition of Tentoku-in Temple. After the Meiji Restoration, due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism and Haibutsukishaku, the number of the sub-temples within Tofuku-ji Temple decreased from nearly 70 to 25. In 1881, Butsuden, Hato, Hojo, and Kuri were burned down. The construction of Hondo (main hall) began in 1917 and was completed in 1934. Hojo was rebuilt in 1890, and Kuri was rebuilt in 1910.
*reference・・・Tofuku-ji Temple website

【Tofuku-ji Temple Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★San-mon (San-mon Gate, 三門, National Treasure) was rebuilt in 1405 by Ashikaga Yoshimochi, the fourth shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate. San-mon houses the statues of Shaka Nyorai and Jyuroku Rakan on the second floor. There is also a mural on the second floor painted in extreme colors by the artist monk Mincho.
★Zendo (禅堂, Important Cultural Property) was rebuilt in 1347. It is said to be the oldest Zendo in Japan. Zendo measures about 42 meters from north to south and about 22 meters from east to west. It is said to be the largest Zendo in Japan. In the past, more than 400 monks practiced in Zendo, which was called Sodo.
★Jorakuan (常楽庵, Important Cultural Property) was destroyed by fire in 1819 and rebuilt in 1823 by Ichijo Tadayoshi. Jorakuan has Kaizando, Shodo, Kyakuden (Fumonin), Tassuryo (Shoin), Kuri, Ro-mon (Gate), Shoro (Bell Tower), and Ura-mon (Gate), and has a pond garden and a karesansui garden.
東福寺見どころ(Tofuku-ji Temple Highlights)

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Nehan-e (涅槃会) is held every year from March 14th to 16th. At Nehan-e, a 12-meter-long by 6-meter-wide painting of Nehanzu, one of the three largest paintings of Nehanzu in Kyoto, is displayed in Hondo, and sutra readings are performed, including the “Butsuyuikyogyo,” which is said to be Buddha’s last teaching.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-November to late November. About 2,000 tsuten-momiji (maple trees), whose leaf tips are divided into three and dyed golden yellow, have been planted around Sengyokukan (valley), and the view from Tsuten-kyo Bridge and Gaun-kyo Bridge, which span Sengyokukan, is said to be beautiful. Tofuku-ji Temple is illuminated every year around the time of autumn leaves, and a special night viewing is held. (night illumination, 紅葉ライトアップ)
東福寺紅葉ライトアップ(Tofuku-ji Temple night illumination)
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-75-561-0087

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Tofuku-ji Temple is to Sennyu-ji Temple on the north side. Sennyu-ji Temple also has the sub-temples, and you can visit the sub-temples while walking. South of Tofuku-ji Temple is Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, famous for its Senbon-torii, and although it is some distance away, a walk to the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is also recommended.

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】
If you plan to visit Tofuku-ji Temple, be sure to check the latest information.