World heritage in Kyoto
Author: Edutraveller
Date written: 04/18/2003 09:37:19 PM
Last edited: 2003/05/25 16:53:02
Keywords: Kyoto, World heritage in Kyoto, Kyoto historical sites, Kinki, Kansai
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World heritage in Kyoto
Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja (Kamigamo Shrine): the date that this shrine was established is unknown, but since it and Kamomioya-jinja were sponsored by the Heian imperial court, it must predate the eighth century at least. The two main buildings are National Treasures. While both were rebuilt in 1863, the arrangement of the buildings was set out in the eleventh century.
Open: all year round, 6am to 6pm. Admission: free.
Kamomioya-jinja (Shimogamo Shrine) is typical of Shinto temples. The bright red colour is also used in tora or gates to shrines, as demons cannot pass through them.
Kamomioya-jinja (Shimogamo Shrine): Originally a part of the Kamigamo Shrine complex, Shimogamo Shrine became independent during the eighth century. The original shrine on the site is said to have been contructed over two thousand years ago. The east and west main buildings were reconstructed in 1863. Every year, the Aoi festival held at this shrine brings thousands of visitors and is ranked as one of Kyoto's most popular events.
Open: all year round, 7am to 5pm. Admission: free.
Kyoo Gokoku-ji (To-ji): A Buddhist temple established in 796 as one of the two imperial temples built on the east and west sides of the gate of Heian-kyo. It is an important landmark which helps orient oneself with the layout and scale of Heian-kyo. The Kondo (main hall), Gojunoto (five-storied pagoda), Daishido (originally the residence of the priest Kobo-daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism), and Renge-mon (lotus gate) are National Treasures.
Kiyomizu-dera (Clear-water temple) is one of the main attractions of Kyoto and one of the most photographed buildings in Japan.
Kiyomizu-dera (Clear-water temple): Founded in 780, Kiyomizu-dera is the home of the Hosso Buddhist sect. The main building is on the side of a mountain and supported by pillars from below called "the stage of Kiyomizu" (kiyomizu no butai). The first main building was originally the imperial throne hall. When the imperial capital was moved to Kyoto, the old hall was donated to a general who then gave it to the founder of Kiyomizu-dera, the priest Enchin. Destroyed by fire in 1629, the third Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu rebuilt the present buildings in 1633.
The main building is only one of many other buildings to see in the complex. Sanju-no-to (three storey pagoda), the Shoro (bell tower), and a wealth of temples are spread out in the grounds. A shinto shrine is also located in the grounds, one of the few that survived the enforced separation of Buddhism and Shinto in the Meiji Restoration.
From Kyoto Station: bus 202, 206, or 207 (Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka). Walk uphill to the temple. Open: all year round, 8am to 6.30pm (6pm winter). Admission: 300 yen.
Enryaku-ji: Founded in 788, Enryaku-ji is the head temple of the Tendai sect. The oldest surviving buildings date from the fourteenth century. The temple covers a huge area, and consists of three main pagodas: Todo, Saito and Yokawa. The temple is famous for its Buddhist chants.
Open: all year round, 8:30am to 4.30pm (4pm winter). Admission: fee
Daigo-ji: This temple is located in two sites, Kami-daigo on top of the mountain and Shimo-daigo at the foot of the mountain. The upper section was begun in 874 and the lower in 904. Almost 80 buildings survive in the complex, including a five-storey pagoda completed in 952 that is the oldest building remaining in Kyoto. Many Buddhist monks are trained in the temple and are often seen on the paths between the upper and lower sites.
Open: all year round, 9am to 5pm (November to February 9am to 4pm). Admission: fee
Ninna-ji: A Bhuddist temple begun in 886 by the Emperor Koko and completed by his successor Emperor Uda in 888. Uda later became a monk at the temple, the first monk-emperor. Fires in the twelfth century destroyed many of the buildings and the temple declined in importance. In the seventeenth century, the emperor prince Kakushin had the temple rebuilt using buildings from the imperial palace, and it was reopened in 1646. Another fire in 1887 destroyed the main hall, which was rebuilt in 1913.
Open: all year round, 9am to 5pm (winter 9am to 4:30pm). Admission: fee
Byodo-in: Formerly a villa belonging to the powerful Fujiwara clan, Byodo-in is one of the most beautiful buildings in Japan and is seen on the reverse of the Japanese ten-yen coin. During this period, the arts flourished as powerful nobles spent the state's funds on lavish building projects. The gardens and buildings are designed to represent and bring to mind the pure land, the Buddhist paradise. There are many important cultural properties housed in the buildings and the museum. In particular see the statue of the Amitabha Tathagata in the Phoenix Hall which is surrounded by the Ajiike pond and the Pure Land Garden.
Open: all year round, 9am to 5pm (December to February 9am to 4pm). Admission: fee
Taken from near Nanzen-ji, this shows how Japanese temples and shrines were often chosen for the beauty of their location, than for any other reason.
Ujigami-jinja: Originally, this was the guardian shrine of Byodoin temple, although it is uncertain when it was established. It was probably built in the later Heian period, while the hall of worship was built in the early Kamakura period.
Open: all year round, 9am to 4:30pm. Admission: free
Kozan-ji: Dating from 774, the temple was rebuilt in 1206 by the priest Myoe and named Kozan-ji. Wars in the 16th century claimed most of the buildings, so most of those present today are reconstructions. The only original building from the thirteenth century is Sekisui-in, where Myoe lived.
Open: all year round, 9am to 5pm. Admission: fee
Fortunes or "omikuji" can be bought at most Japanese temples. If it's good, you tie it to the tree at the temple so that it might come true (or you can take it with you). If it's bad, you tie it to the tree so it doesn't come true.
Saiho-ji (Koke-dera): The first temple on this site dates from 731, but was rebuilt in its present form in 1339 along with Tenryu-ji. The pond in the gardens is shaped like the Chinese character for heart, "kokoro". There are over a hundred different kinds of moss coating the rocks and ground of the garden, hence the temple's common name of "koke-dera" (moss temple).
Open: all year round. Admission: fee.
Tenryu-ji: The present buildings were restored during the Meiji period as the temple burnt down several times in its history. Originally a palace belonging to the Ashikaga Shogunate, like Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji it was converted into a Zen temple in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji.
Open: all year round, 8:30am to 5:30pm (November to March 8:30am to 5pm). Admission: fee.
Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji or Temple of the Golden Pavilion): Dedicated to the goddess of mercy, Kannon, Rokuon-ji is the sole remaining building of a complex built by the Shogun Yoshimitsu around the end of the fouteenth century, although the gardens remain unchanged. In his will, Yoshimitsu bequeathed the building to the Rinzai sect and it was converted into a temple in 1422. The entire building is clad in gold leaf, and its reflection in the lake surrounding it is one of the most evocative sights in Japan. In autumn, the red and gold leaves of Japanese maple seem to add to the glow of the building, while in winter it stands out in clear contrast to the white blanket of snow draped over the gardens. The original building survived until 1950, when it was burnt to the ground by a young monk. Rebuilding was completed in 1955. (See photo top right)
From Kyoto Station: bus 12, 59, 204, 205 (Kinkaku-ji-machi stop), 50 (Kinkaku-ji-mae stop).Open: all year round, 9am to 5:30pm (October to March 9am to 5pm). Admission: fee.
Jisho-ji (Ginkaku-ji): Built in 1482 by the grandson of the Ashikaga Shogun who constructed Kinkaku-ji, this temple was originally to be coated in silver leaf. Although this was never done, the name remains. Similar to his grandfather, Yoshimasa gave the building to the Rinzai zen sect on his death. The buildings and gardens were substantially remade in the seventeenth century. The grounds contain the Dojin-sai, created by Murata Shuko and the model for all later Japanese tea rooms.
The gardens also contain the famous "dry garden" Ginshaden (Sea of Silver Sand). This huge area of sand (see photo to left) is re-raked every day, and is said to be especially beautiful by moonlight. The other part of the gardens holds Kinkyo-chi (brocade mirror pond), which when looked at from different locations evokes different images from Japanese and Chinese literature.
Open: all year round, 8:30am to 5pm (1st December to 14th March 9am to 4:30pm). Admission: fee.
Ryoan-ji (temple of the peaceful dragon): Founded in 1450, Ryoan-ji is a Rinzai zen temple near Kinkaku-ji to the northwest of Kyoto. In the grounds is Kyoyochi Pond containing two small islands, one containing a shrine to the goddess Benten, one of the seven shinto gods of good luck. However, the temple is most famous for its rock garden, built at the end of the fifteenth century. This consists of gravel in which are placed fifteen rocks, the positioning of which is such that whatever angle you look from, you can only see fourteen at any time. Supposedly, only the enlightened can see all fifteen rocks.
Open: all year round, 8am to 5pm (December to February 8:30am to 4:30pm). Admission: fee.
Hongan-ji: Head temple of the Jodo Shin sect, the temple was originally founded in Osaka and moved to its present location in 1591. The buildings include the oldest existing Noh theatre, and most were originally brought from Toyotomi Hideyoshi's residences.
Open: all year round, 5am to 5:30pm. Admission: fee.
Nijo Castle: One of Tokugawa Ieyasu's first acts on defeating his enemies at the battle of Sekigahara was to require the lords of western Japan to build Nijo Castle for him. This virtually impregnable fortress was further enlarged for an imperial visit in 1626, and although used as the official residence of the Tokugawa Shogunate while in Kyoto, the main purpose of the castle was as a symbol of power. Ninomaru palace, famous for its "nightingale floors" and its gardens are one of the main attractions of Kyoto, and were donated to the city by the royal family in 1939. The gardens were initially designed without trees to be unchanging throughout the year, trees and flowers were later added so that the palace gardens are brilliant with colour all year round. The artwork of the main palace is the original work that dates from the sixteenth century, and uses bright colours and gilt to depict animals, flowers and trees.
Open: all year round, 8:45am to 4pm. Admission: fee.
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