Kodaiji Temple (高台寺), a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan, was founded in 1606 by Kita no Mandokoro (ねね), the wife of the powerful feudal lord and warrior Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to honor her late husband.
The temple complex includes several notable buildings, such as the main hall (Hondo), which houses a statue of the temple’s principal deity, Kannon Bosatsu (the bodhisattva of compassion), the Kaisando hall (meditation hall), and the Chashitsu (tea ceremony room).
One of the main attractions of Kodaiji Temple is its exquisite gardens, designed by the renowned Japanese landscape architect, Kobori Enshu. The gardens feature a pond called Garyochi, a waterfall, and traditional Japanese landscaping elements. The gardens are particularly stunning during the spring cherry blossom season and the autumn foliage season.
Kodaiji Temple also boasts several important cultural properties. The Reibyo (mausoleum) for Kita no Mandokoro and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, showcasing the opulent architectural style of the Momoyama period, and the two teahouses, Kasatei and Shiguretei, attributed to Kobori Enshu, are all designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The Kaisando, dedicated to the temple’s founder Sanko Joeki, is another noteworthy structure.
The temple grounds also feature a bamboo grove, adding to the serene atmosphere. Visitors can admire the beautiful moonlit scenery from the Kangetsudai (moon-viewing platform) during autumn moon-viewing events.
Getting there
By Bus
From JR Kyoto Station or Kintetsu Kyoto Station:
- Take city bus 206 to “Higashiyama Yasui” bus stop
- 5-minute walk east from the bus stop
From Hankyu Kawaramachi Station or Keihan Gion-Shijo Station:
- Take city bus 207 to “Higashiyama Yasui” bus stop
- 5-minute walk east from the bus stop
- Journey time from Kyoto Station: About 13 minutes by bus
By Train
From Keihan Gion-Shijo Station:
- 10-minute walk to the temple
By Taxi
From JR Kyoto Station or Kintetsu Kyoto Station:
- Journey time: About 15 minutes
Details
| Hours | 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM |
| Admission | Adults: 600 yen Junior high school and high school students: 250 yen Discount for 3 places (Kodai-ji temple, Kodai-ji sho museum and Entokuin temple) 900 Yen. |
| Phone | +81 75-561-9966 |
| Address | 526 Shimokawaracho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0825, Japan |
| Official Website | https://www.kodaiji.com/ |
