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Kodai-ji is a beautiful Buddhist temple of the Rinzai Sect, popular for its nighttime illumination in spring, summer and autumn, and projection mapping during the Sakura season.
Located in the Higashiyama Ward, the Kodaiji-jushozenji Temple was established in 1606 by Kita-no-Mandokoro (known as Nene) in memory of her late husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Hideyoshi (1537-1598) was a Japanese samurai, daimyō, and along with Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of Japan's unifiers. Ieyasu, Hideyoshi's successor and the first Tokugawa Shogun, funded the temple's construction.
On the temple grounds, there is a Mausoleum for Hideyoshi and Nene.
Most of the temple's buildings are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan - the Founder's Hall, the Sanctuary, the Gate to Sanctuary, the Moon Viewing Pavillion and two Teahouses.
Opening times and admission
Open from 9 am to 5:30 pm, daily.
Open from 5 pm to 10 pm (with the last entry at 9:30 pm) during Nighttime illumination: Mid-March to early May, August 1-18, late October to early December
Admission is 600 Yen for Kodai-ji Temple and 900 Yen for a combined ticket for Kodai-ji Temple, Kodai-ji sho museum and Entokuin Temple.
How to get there
From Kyoto Station, take the 206 City Bus to Kiyomizumichi Stop (16 minutes, 8 stops, 230 yen), then walk for 7-8 minutes to reach Kodai-ji.
Yasaka Shrine is a 8 minute walk from Kodai-ji
Kiyomizu-dera is a 10-minute walk from Kodai-ji
Address: Japan, 〒605-0825 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, 高台寺下河原町526 (Shimogawara-cho)
The current Hojo (Main Hall) is a reconstruction from 1912 after the previous building burnt down. The original building's interior used to be covered in gold and lacquer.
On one side of the Hojo, there is a rock garden that becomes the centre of attention during projection mapping events, especially during the Sakura season.
On the other side of the Hojo, you can see a beautiful garden designed by Kobori Enshu - a well-known landscape garden designer, whose other works include the gardens of Bitchū-Matsuyama Castle, Nijo Castle, Osaka Castle and Katsura Imperial Villa.
On my most recent trip to Kyoto, Kodai-ji was the last attraction on my list and, as much I would have loved to see it during the day, I only managed to get there for the nighttime sakura illumination. The temple also has a small bamboo forest which during my nighttime visit, looked beautiful in the rain.
How long does it take to visit Kodai-ji?
Whether you're there for the special illumination time or simply to visit the temple during the day, a visit to Kodai-ji Temple can take around 1 to 2 hours.
Have you ever been there? If so, I would love to hear about your visit there, in the comments below.
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