||Kyoto||

Tofukuji Temple

Halal In Japan
  • Home
  • Explore Japan
    • Destinations
    • Plan Your Next Trip
  • Basic Info
  • Halals
  • Shop
    • Pardis Bazaar
    • Muslim Hijab Store

​Tofukuji is a large temple complex in southeastern Kyoto with many small and beautiful gardens nearby. It has historically been one of the principal Zen temples in Kyoto, and is a head temple of one of the schools of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.
​
Tofukuji Temple was first built in 1236 by the great statesman Kujo Michiie who, for the sake of his family prestige, wanted to build a major temple to rival the great temples of Nara: Todaiji and Kofukuji, where its name is derived from the "To" of Todaji and Kofukuji’s "Fukuji". 

Sanmon - Main Gate of Tofukuji Temple
Sanmon - Main Gate
Currently, the Tofukuji complex includes 24 sub-temples, though in the past the number has been as high as 53.

Several parts of the temple grounds are free to enter, including the area around some of its largest and most impressive buildings.

The 22 meter tall Tofukuji's main gate is the oldest Sanmon in Japan, dating back to 1425. It is two stories high and five bays wide. The central three bays are doors. Behind the gate is the Hondo "main hall", which is even larger but is a recent structure dating from 1934.
​
Hondo - Main Hall of Tofukuji Temple
Hondo - Main Hall
​The Hojo, the head priest's former living quarters, is one of the temple complex two paid areas. 

The garden that surrounds the Hojo is divided into four small gardens, and each garden has a different character, employing pebbles, large rocks, moss, trees and checkered patterns.

Not far from the Hojo is a roofed wooden walkway that leads to Tsutenkyo Bridge over the ravine and then on to the Kaisando Hall which serves as the mausoleum of the temple's first head priest. 
​
Hojo Garden of Tofukuji Temple
Hojo Garden
​Here you can enjoy another garden with a traditional arrangement of rocks, moss and bushes on one side of the path, and a raked sand checkerboard design on the other.

Hordes of Japanese tourists visit Tofukuji Temple during the fall months, when the leaves show a dazzling array of colors, but it's not as well known to foreigners.

The most popular view is of the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees, particularly in mid-November when the maple leaves are at their most exuberant.
​
Kaisando Garden of Tofukuji Temple
Kaisando Garden
Around this time however, the temple gets very crowded and there are very long queues to visit the Kaisando and Tsutenkyo Bridge. It is best to visit in the early morning hours if you’d like to avoid the crowds.


When you do schedule a trip to Tofukuji, be sure to allow plenty of time to enjoy not only the magnificent buildings, but also the wonderful gardens.

A pleasant side path through the woods connects Tofukuji Temple to the Fushimi Inari grounds. 
​
Tsutenkyo Bridge During Autumn
Tsutenkyo Bridge During Autumn

Tofukuji Temple Access

By Train: From Kyoto Station take JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station "take 2 minutes". Tofukuji Temple is a ten minutes’ walk from Tofukuji Station.


By Bus: From Kyoto Station take Kyoto City Bus 208 to Tofukuji Bus Stop "takes about 15 minutes". The temple is a ten minutes’ walk from the bus stop.
​
Tofukuji Temple Area
Tofukuji Temple Area
Halal food shops near Tofukuji Temple
Halal food restaurants near Tofukuji Temple
Tofukuji Temple - Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Picture

Halal In Japan

Searching For
Pardis Bazaar Halal Shop
Muslim Hijab Store
Shop On Rakuten
Travel Information
Hotels & Ryokans
Masjids
Shops
Hospitals
Restaurants
Search For Restaurants
Top Destinations
Tokyo
Osaka
Kyoto
Yokohama
Kamakura
Sapporo
Mt. Fuji
Nikko
Kawagoe
Explore Japan
HIJ Website
About 
Blog
Contact
Terms of Use
News Release
Services
Free Downloads
​Free Listing
Visitor Feedback
Advertise With Us
ArabicChinese (Traditional)IndonesianJapaneseKoreanPersianTurkish

​​​Halal In Japan is an informational website that introduces halal and Muslim-friendly products and services in Japan, as well as providing basic information for Muslim travelers.
2014-2023 | halalinjapan.com

Halal News And Products Newsletter -Halal In Japan
Japan Primal Video YouTube Channel Account
Halal In Japan Twitter Account
Halal In Japan Instagram Account

  • Home
  • Explore Japan
    • Destinations
    • Plan Your Next Trip
  • Basic Info
  • Halals
  • Shop
    • Pardis Bazaar
    • Muslim Hijab Store