Located at 15 Chome-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Tofukuji (東福寺) is the head temple of the Tofukuji School of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.
Tofukuji (東福寺)
Tofukuji History
Tofukuji was founded in 1236 by the priest Enni. The temple grounds cover an area of 200,000 square meters. It is presently home to the Hojo (Abbot's Hall) the huge San-mon (temple gate) and 24 sub-temples.
Tofukuji Rokuhara Gate
Tofukuji Sanmon
Aside from these, you can also see the spectacular checkboard-patterned garden in the temple grounds. However, to view the garden, you have to pay the 400 yen entrance fee for the Hojo and its garden.
A closer view of Tofukuji Sanmon
Tofukuji Zen Hall
A closer view of Tofukuji Zen Hall
Tofukuji Kuri
Another part of the temple ground worth checking out is the Tsutenkyo (Bridge to Heaven) and the Kaisando. It is worth noting that the Tsutenkyo was one of the filming locations of the Japan edition music video of Clean Bandit's Solo featuring Demi Lovato. You can check out the said video below. The Tsutenkyo dance scene is at 1:58.
Tofukuji Tsutenkyo
Crossing the Tofukuji Tsutenkyo
Watched Clean Bandit's Solo music video while in Tofukuji Tsutenkyo
Check out Clean Bandit's Solo music video ft. Demi Lovato
The bridge is also a famous foliage viewing spot every autumn. The leaves of the numerous maple trees at the valley below turn fire-red every autumn. Hence Tofukuji tends to be crowded every October to early December. Just a heads up though, you have to also pay a 400 yen admission fee to enter Tsutenkyo bridge and the Kaisando area.
Tofukuji Aizendo at the other end of the Tsutenkyo
Tofukuji Kaizando was being restored during our visit
Tofukuji Kaizando
My brother and I got to visit Tofukiji on the 5th day of our 2019 Japan trip. It was my first time visiting the said temple. I missed visiting the temple during my 2014 and 2018 visits as it was still "outside my radar". I only gained interest in it after seeing it in the Solo music video.
Here are some of the photos of the temple grounds:
During our visit, we skipped the Hojo and garden area. We only went to the Tsutenkyo and Kaisando area. Sadly, most of the maple leaves shed their leaves already. Regardless, the view from the bridge remained fascinating. As for the Kaisando, it was under restorative works so we failed to see its full beauty.
Off to our next destination...
Gaun Bridge
Tofukuji's Tsutenkyo as seen from Gaun Bridge
Tofukuji Admission Fee:
There are parts of Tofukuji that you can explore for FREE. However, if you wish to enter the Hojo and the garden you need to pay 400 yen. Another 400 yen entrance fee will be charged if you wish to enter the Tsutenkyo and Kaisando area.
Tofukuji Opening Hours:
Tofukuji is open from 8:30AM to 4PM.
Why visit Tofukuji?
Tofukuji is a perfect place to visit if you're exploring the Rakunan Area of Kyoto. It's one of those temples that offer a mix of splendid nature views and rustic feels. Aside from that, if you're a fan of Clean Bandit then this place should be part of your itinerary. It will make you proud to see the Tsutenkyo Bridge where a part of the Solo music video was shot.
Getting to Tofukuji:
From Kyoto Station, ride bus #208 and board down at Tofukuji bus stop.
Fare: 230 yen
As an alternative, you can also board the Keihan Line or JR Nara Line and board down at Tofukuji Station.
10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City Asahikawa City ( 旭川市 ) is the second largest city in Hokkaido Prefecture. Its name came from the misinterpretation of the Ainu name for the Asahi River. The Ainu called it Chiu Pet , which means "River of Waves," but it was misinterpreted as Chup Pet , which means "Sun River," and therefore became known as Asahi River in Japanese. For those planning to visit Asahikawa City to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Asahikawa City : Asahikawa Manhole Cover 1. Take a picture of Asahikawa’s unique manhole covers . So far, I have seen 1 unique manhole design not counting the special Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover . Asahikawa Roadside Station 2. Visit Asahikawa Roadside Station . You can buy souvenirs, eat authentic Asahikawa ramen, and also get the Asahikawa Roadside Station stamp for your stamp collection. As a bonus, you will also find the Asahikawa Pokemon Manhole Cover featuring the Alolan Vulpix, Cubchoo, a
10 Things to Do in Biei Biei ( 美瑛町 ) is a small town in the Kamikawa Subprefecture of Hokkaido. It is famous for its beautiful nature, particularly the flower fields and the iconic trees. The town is one of "Japan's Most Beautiful Villages". Biei got its name from the Biei River that flows to it. The river got its name from the Ainu word piye which means oily or greasy. This is because the water has a murky appearance. For those planning to visit Biei to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things To Do in Biei : Biei manhole cover 1. Take a picture of Biei's unique manhole cover . So far, I have seen only one manhole cover design. It’s common and can be seen around town. Rent a bike and explore Biei 2. Rent a bike and explore Biei town proper and the nearby scenic spots. There are plenty of rental shops near Biei JR Station. You can also ask the rental shops for a “Biei-by-bike itinerary”. Biei Roadside Station 3. Head over to Biei Roadside Station formall
Located in the center of the Poblacion or town proper of Imus City in the province of Cavite, Imus City Plaza is one of the city's scenic and historical attractions. Imus City Plaza Imus City Plaza Details This plaza is located in front of the equally historical Imus Cathedral and Imus City Hall . Imus City Plaza is also the first place to greet you if you're heading to the cathedral via Sapinoso Street. Imus City Plaza - Imus City, Cavite General Licerio Topacio The general guarding the flag Checking out each angle of the monument Imus City Plaza History Imus City Plaza is probably easily remembered because of the monument with two vintage artillery flanking it. The monument stands as an honor to the children of Imus who joined the fight for the independence of the country against Spain. As for the man standing on top of the monument, he is General Licerio Topacio . He is one of the most notable sons of Imus. He is famously known for honorably declining
Located in Barangay San Pedro in Sto. Tomas in the province of Batangas, the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio is a pilgrimage site dedicated and inspired by Saint Padre Pio. National Shrine of St. Padre Pio National Shrine of St. Padre Pio History The shrine initially started out as a bamboo and nipa chapel back in 2003. Then on November 7, 2005, a 1.6-hectare agricultural land was donated to the Archdiocese of Lipa by a generous couple. A year later, another generous individual donated 200 square meters of land to provide the right of way to the site. This land would be the site of the new chapel and later on the Shrine of St. Padre Pio . The salakot like roof as seen from the bell tower Devotees hanging handkerchiefs dipped in the Well of Hope or Bukal ng Pag-asa St. Padre Pio welcomes the pilgrims to the shrine Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry - National Shrine of Saint Padre Pio St. Padre Pio belltower St. Padre Pio painting A relic inside the Reli
Located in the Arashiyama Station of the Keifuku Randen Tram Arashiyama Line in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, in Kyoto Prefecture, Kimono Forest is a collection of cylinder-shaped pillars with beautiful Kimono designs that lines up the station which gives it an artistic design. Kimono Forest Kimono Forest History Kimono Forest was installed as part of the station's renovation in 2013. Its name came from the forest-like cluster of kimono designed pillars. These kimono displays consist of traditional Kyo-yuzen style textile patterns. The Kyo-yuzen textile used in the Kimono Forest was created by Kamedatomi which is a textile factory with a history that dates back to the Taisho Period. Each pillar stands 2 meters high and is covered with acrylic fiber to protect the designs from moisture. The pillars are also equipped with LED lights to give the "forest" a magical and dramatic look at night. There are about 600 kimono pillars installed in the Keifuku Arashiyama Station .
10 Things to Do in Takikawa City Takikawa ( 滝川市 ) is a city in the Sorachi Subprefecture of Hokkaido, Japan . Takikawa City gets its name from the Ainu term " Sorapuchi ," signifying the "area under the waterfall." Located along the mid-streams of the Sorachi River, this region boasts a unique topography with a small waterfall caused by a difference in elevation. The Ainu people aptly named it " Sorapuchipetsu " (Taki no kawa), meaning the " waterfall river ," and hence, the area became known as Takikawa. For those planning to visit the city of Takikawa to check what it has to offer, here are the 10 Things to Do in Takikawa City : Takikawa Manhole Covers 1. Take a picture of the manhole cover of Takikawa . So far, I have seen one unique manhole cover which is common in the Sakaemachi District. There was also a colored manhole cover inside the Takikawa Tourist Information Center but it was moved to Takikawa Town Hall according to the staff. Takik
Japan is undeniably a collector's paradise. As a matter of fact, there are a plethora of different things to collect here that are catered to every collector's unique taste and preference. Anime fans have their usual toys, mangas, and memorabilia. Pokemon fans have numerous Pokemon Centers that sell an assortment of Pokemon merchandise. Kitkat collectors have more than 300 flavors of Kitkat to try out. Pilgrims have the temple stamps called goshuin which I wrote about last time. These are but some of the numerous possible things to collect in Japan . A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps However, since I'm promoting budget travel, my article today talks about something that you can collect for FREE . Yup, you read that right. All you need to have is a clean notebook or tickler and an ever-watchful eye. A Guide to Collecting Eki Stamps Eki stamps , also called train station stamps, are rubber ink stamps that are typically found in most train stations in Japan. These stamps f
Located in 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga-Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Tenryuji ( 天龍寺 ) is one of the 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kyoto City. Tenryuji ( 天龍寺 ) Tenryuji History Tenryuji was built under the instructions of shogun Ashikaga Takauji in 1339 in memory of Emperor Go-Daigo who had passed away that year. The temple's name tenryu literally translates to the "dragon of the sky". The name came from a dream of Ashikaga Takauji's younger brother Tadayoshi. The temple was completed at around 1345 and the eminent Rinzai Zen master Muso Soseki was appointed as its founding abbot after which the temple prospered as the most important Rinzai temple in Kyoto. With that, the temple's land grew to as big as 33 hectares. Muso Soseki Now going back to Muso Soseki ... He was known as the most famous monk of his time. Aside from being a Rinzai Zen Buddhist, he was also a teacher, calligraphist, poet, and garden designer. Although he has
Day 2 May 18, 2018 Rinku Premium Outlets We woke up to another great morning. The weather was predicted to be fine throughout the day so I brought the kids to the park (actually parks) in the neighborhood of Tsubasagaokakita and Tsubasagaokanishi first thing in the morning. Go, Ella! Let's try out the other playground shall we Walking back home After an hour or so Ella and Zaq decided that they had enough playground time for the day so we walked back home and arrived just in time for breakfast. Shopping at Nitori Izumisano There are plenty of products here that you might want to buy Since today was the last full day of Zaq and his family in Japan , we accompanied them on their trips to buy pasalubong and souvenirs around Osaka. Our first destination for the day was Nitori (store) in Izumisano. We also bought some Japanese unique products here for our house like the Japanese Style Diatomite Bath Mat and other household and cookware products. We
Located at 541 Nijojocho Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Nijo Castle ( 二条城 ) is one of the 17 and the only non-temple UNESCO World Heritage Site in Kyoto City. Nijo Castle ( 二条城 ) Nijo Castle History Nijo Castle or Nijo-jo is a flatland castle that was constructed under the orders of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu . Construction started sometime in 1601 and was completed in 1603. The castle served as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shoguns since Kyoto remains home to the Imperial Court during those times. Nijo Castle - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture Tokugawa Ieyasu Nijo Castle underwent a large-scale renovation in 1624 during the time of Ieyasu's grandson, Tokugawa Yoshinobu in preparation for the Imperial visit of Emperor Go-Mizuno in 1626. For this event, the Gyoko-goten Palace was constructed for the Emperor. The castle was also expanded to its current size. Stunning wall paintings were also created by painters of the Kano School. After the Imperia
So this is that temple in Solo video. Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Please feel free to check out my other articles too.
Delete