Private Tour in Kyoto Wearing Kimono with Tea Ceremony Experience Kyoto, Japan
Introduce Kyoto to Foreigners !!!
Higashi Honganji is one of two head temples of the Jodo Shinshu sect of Pure Land Buddhism, the most popular form of Buddhism in Japan. The other head temple is Nishi Honganji, the western temple, is located a few blocks to the west of this one.
This temple has a main hall designated as a national treasure and a collection of Buddhist statues by famous Buddhist priests representing the Kamakura period. There are many Buddhist statues that have made their mark on history as temple treasures that should be regarded as treasures of Japan.
Originally, the Sanskrit characters of Buddha were carved on the cut end of the radish and offered to the worshippers to ward off evil spirits,so they started burning this radish and offering it to the worshippers.
Nowadays, a Buddhist memorial service is held and seasoned and stewed daikon is burned with fried bean curd.
Senbon-Shaka-do (Daihoonji Temple) was founded by Priest Giku in the first year of Anjo (1227) in the early Kamakura period about 800 years ago. The main hall is designated as a national treasure as the oldest building in Kyoto, which miraculously survived the Onin and Bunmei wars.
There are many good luck charms at the temple’s office for various benefits. There are many lucky charms for children, marriage, victory, traffic safety and so on.
In addition, many ema (votive picture tablet) are pasted in the narrow precincts.
The famous five-storied pagoda is the tallest wooden structure in Japan, standing 54.8 meters high. The pagoda was destroyed by fire four times due to lightning, but was restored each time. The current five-story pagoda was donated by Tokugawa Iemitsu in the early Edo period.
The reflection of the five-story pagoda and autumn leaves on the surface of Hyotaike Pond is also very impressive and popular as a photo spot. The precincts of To-ji Temple are vast, so even if there are many tourists, you can visit the temple at your leisure.
This is the main hall of To-ji Temple. It is a building that combines the Tenjiku-yo and Wa-yo styles, incorporating the Song Dynasty style. Inside the building, the principal image of Yakushi Nyorai and statues of Nikko Bosatsu (Sun Goddess) and Gekko Bosatsu (Moon Goddess) are enshrined. Surrounding these statues are the Twelve Divine Generals and other Buddhist statues, which are overwhelmingly powerful.
During the season of autumn leaves, the pagoda is lit up at night during special openings to the public. The beauty of the five-story pagoda and about 200 autumn leaves illuminated by the lights is breathtaking. The reflection of the five-story pagoda and autumn leaves on the surface of Hyotaike Pond is also very impressive and popular as a photo spot. The precincts of To-ji Temple are vast, so even if there are many tourists, you can visit the temple at your leisure.
Toji-temple was built in supplication for national peace at the time Heiankyo was constructed, and was located on the east side of Rajomon Gate,main gate of the city. The temple on the west side, Saijo Temple was burnt down in 1233. It consists of Kodo(LectureHall),Kondo(MainHall), and Goju-no-to(Five-storied pagoda)
To-ji Temple is a national temple built at the time of the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo. It is the only surviving remnant of Heian-kyo and was considered one of the two major temples of Heian-kyo along with Sai-ji Temple. It was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
