Introduce Kyoto to Foreigners !!!
The Zendo has been used as a Zen Buddhism dojo since the Nanbokucho Period, and is said to be the oldest and largest Zen dojo still in existence. Because of its historical value, it is designated as a National Important Cultural Property. Zazen meditation sessions are still held every Sunday, and you can actually experience the practice of zazen.
The Main Hall is the main building of Tofukuji Temple and serves as both the Dharma Hall and the Buddha Hall. The main hall is the main building of Tofuku-ji Temple, which also houses the Dharma Hall and the Butsuden. At 25.5 meters high, it is one of the largest wooden buildings of the Showa period and is highly valued in architectural history. The ceiling of the Dharma Hall is decorated with “Soryu (Dragon and Cloud)” by Impression Domoto.
Hojo is the residence of the abbot of a Zen temple. There are four gardens located in the east, west, south, and north, centered around the Hojo, and they are called the “Garden of Eight Phases”, which is compared to the eight phases of the Buddha’s life.
The East Garden features the Big Dipper, the South Garden expresses the ancient Chinese idea of “Horai Shinzen”, and the West and North Gardens are decorated with moss and paving stones in a checkered pattern. You can feel the story from each garden.
Tsutenkyo Bridge is one of the three famous bridges of Tofukuji Temple. It runs through the temple grounds, and connects the main hall with the Kaisando-Hall. It is a covered wooden bridge with a length of about 27 meters and is popular as the most famous spot in Kyoto for its beautifully colored autumn leaves in autumn.
In autumn, the bridge is one of the most famous spots in Kyoto for its beautiful autumn foliage, and the green maple trees that come alive in the fresh green season are also beautiful and can be enjoyed in any season.
The temple was built over 19 years from 1236 (Katei 2) to 1255 (Kencho 7). The regent at that time, Michi-ie Kujo built the largest temple complex in Kyoto and named it “Tofuku-ji Temple” after Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Temple which were the most powerful temples in Nara.
Some of the buildings were destroyed by fire several times, but were rebuilt each time. In addition to the many pagodas, the oldest bathhouse in Japan and a latrine called “Toji” still remain, and are valuable materials for understanding the daily life of Zen monks in the Muromachi period (1336-1573).
Tofukuji Temple is one of the five temples of Kyoto and has 25 temples including Fumonin and Koumyouin. It had the largest temple complex in Kyoto at that time. It holds many national treasures and important cultural assets, and is also home to Tsutenkyo Bridge, famous for its autumnal foliage, and its deep history and scenic beauty are very attractive.
You can often find sweets and goods with a motif of foxes, which are the messengers of Inari no Mikami, as well as inari sushi made of fried bean curd, which is a favorite food of foxes. In this issue, we bring you recommended spots, focusing on new shops that have opened in recent years. Be sure to check them out before you visit the shrine.
From Kyoto Station, take a train bound for Nara from JR Kyoto Station, get off at Inari Station and Fushimi Inari Taisha is right in front of you.
It is two stops from Kyoto Station to Inari Station. The ride takes 5 minutes. The fare is 140 yen.
About 10,000 torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha continue to the summit of Mt. Inari.
Touring all the routes to the summit is called “mountain tour”.
If you go around the mountain slowly, it will take about 3 hours.
When you climb near the summit, you can see the wonderful cityscape of Kyoto.
Mountain tour is also popular with foreigners, and on weekdays there are more foreign tourists than Japanese.
After passing through the Senbon Torii gate, you will find “Omokaru Stone”.
Two lanterns are lined up, and “Omokaru Stones” are placed on top of the lanterns.
After thinking about your wishes in front of the lantern, lift the stone.
When you lift a stone, if you feel that the stone is lighter than you imagined, your wish will come true, and if you feel that the stone is heavier than you imagined, your wish will not come true.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its Senbon torii.
Since the Edo period, the torii gate has been built by the dedication of worshipers because it was said that the wish would come true if the torii gate was dedicated.
Large vermilion torii gates are lined up all over the precincts, and there are about 10,000 torii gates in Mt. Inari.
Depending on the size of the torii, the price ranges from 200,000 yen to over 1 million yen, and even ordinary people can dedicate the torii.
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