Visiting Tofukuji Temple (東福寺) in Kyoto—Personal Experience

Visiting Tofukuji Temple (東福寺) in Kyoto for Its Autumn Colors (YouTube link)

On 11/30/2016, I have visited Tofukuji Temple | (東福寺) in southeastern Kyoto. Along with Daitokuji (大徳寺), Shokokuji (相国寺), Kenninji (建仁寺), Tenryuji (天龍寺) and Myoshinji (妙心寺), Tofukuji is one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in Kyoto.^[2,3]

Tofukuji Temple is located on the eastern side of Kyoto between Kujo dori (九条) and Jujo dori (七条). The Tofukuji Station of Japan Rail as well as the Keihan Electric Railway are the closest rail stations to the temple.

Travel Itinerary

On the day of my visit, I have taken Keihan Electric Railway and arrived at Tofukuji Station. Walking towards Tofukuji Temple is a bit tricky. However, you can follow maps shown on the street sides and eventually will be guided by people dressed in uniform providing directions along the path.

Because its location, it seems to attract a smaller crowd than other famous temple like Eikando Temple (永観堂) and Kiyomizudera Temple (清水寺). But, its autumn colors are as beautiful as the other two. If you visit it, you can also visit the nearby Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社).

Tofukuji Temple (東福寺) 

In autumn, people come from all over Japan to see Tofukuji's autumn colors ⭐⭐(season: mid to late November). The most popular view is of the Tsutenkyo Bridge (通 天 橋; see right picture), which spans a valley of lush maple trees. The view from the bridge is equally spectacular. But, the bridge is usually crowded because it's also the entrance to the temple compound.

Honbo garden (方丈庭園)

Honbo garden (方丈庭園) is designated as a National Site of Scenic Beauty. The Hojo (or Honbo), which is one of main building in the Tofukuji Temple founded in 1235, was reconstructed in 1890, and the gardens arranged at the four quarters around the building of Hojo were laid out in 1939 by Mr. Mirei Shigemori (a famous garden-builder), who intended to express the simplicity of Zen in the Kamakura period (鎌倉時代) with the abstract construction of modern arts.

The Southern Garden

The Northern Garden

References

1. Tofukuji Temple | (東福寺)
2. The Brief history of TOFUKU-JI Temple
3. Kyoto: 29 Walks in Japan's Ancient Capital
4. Visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)—Personal Experience (Travel for a Purpose)
5. Tofuku-ji 東福寺 (Rinzai-Obaku Zen)
6. Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
7. Kyoto Travel—Philosopher's Path (Along the Old Canal) (Travel for a Purpose)
8. Japan Travel: Eating in Nara (奈良) (Travel for a Purpose)
9. Japan: Temple Lodging at Mount Koya (or Koyasan 高野山) (Travel for a Purpose)
10. Temple Lodging in Koyasan—Personal Experience (Travel for a Purpose)
11. Visiting Arashiyama (嵐山) in Kyoto—Personal Experience (Travel for a Purpose)
12. Visiting Ohara in Kyoto—Personal Experience (Travel for a Purpose)
13. Visiting Nigatsudo Hall (二月堂) in Nara—Personal Experience (Travel for a Purpose)
14. Visiting Yoshiki-en Garden (吉城園 / よしきえん) in Nara—Personal Experience (Travel for a Purpose)
15. Travel: How to Ride a Train in Japan (Travel for a Purpose)
16. Japan Travel — How to Ride a Bus in Kyoto Area (Travel for a Purpose)

Kyoto Travel: Visiting Southeastern Area

The top choice of tourist locations in Kyoto, ranked by TripAdvisor, is Fushimi Inari Taisha. The primary reason most foreign visitors come to Fushimi Inari Taisha is to explore the mountain trails. It is also famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates (鳥居 / とりい).

In this article, we will cover the traveling details to the Southeastern area of Kyoto.

Southeastern Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社; video) ^[8]
• Torii gates
• Straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings.
• Read this etiquette guidelines before you head for it
• Hiking
• The hike to the summit of the mountain and back takes about 2-3 hours
• There are a few restaurants along the way, which offer locally themed dishes such as Inari Sushi and Kitsune Udon ("Fox Udon"), both featuring pieces of aburaage (fried tofu), said to be a favorite food of foxes.
• At Yotsutsuji intersection (roughly half way up the mountain), you can enjoy some nice views over Kyoto. And, the trail splits into a circular route to the summit from there.
• Admission: Free
• Hours: Always open
• Tofukuji Temple | (東福寺)
• Tofukuji is a large Zen temple in southeastern Kyoto that is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn colors.
• Two paid areas
• Hojo (the head priest's former living quarters)
• Gardens are built surrounding the building on all sides.
• Each garden has a different character, employing pebbles, large rocks, moss, trees and checkered patterns
• Tsutenkyo Bridge and Kaisando Hall
• Tsutenkyo Bridge
• Spans a valley of lush maple trees and is famous for its autumn colors
• Kaisando Hall
• The stone path in front of the Kaisando is flanked by contrasting gardens on both sides, a dry rock garden on the left and a lush pond garden on the right.
• Admission
• 400 yen for both
• Tsutenkyo Bridge and Kaisando Hall
• Hojo and gardens
• Hours
• 9 am to 4:30 pm (April to October)
• 9 am to 4 pm (Early December to March)

Get There and Get Around

Fushimi Inari Taisha is located just outside JR Inari Station, the second station from Kyoto Station along the JR Nara Line (5 minutes, 140 yen one way from Kyoto Station, not served by rapid trains). The shrine can also be reached in a short walk from Fushimi Inari Station along the Keihan Main Line.

References

1. Fushimi Inari Shrine
2. Utilizing Storage Locker
• コイン ロッカ (coin locker) — あり (yes)
3. Japan: Best Autumn Color Spots near Kyoto (Travel for a Purpose)
4. Kyoto Walks (JNTO)
5. Restaurants (Japanese only)
• 祢ざめ家
• 京わさび
• うな良
• 大河
• 中国料理 西海
6. Arukumachi kyoto route planner (bus and train)
7. Kyoto 14 day weather forecast, Japan 
8. Visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社)—Personal Experience (Travel for a Purpose)
9. Travel: How to Ride a Train in Japan (Travel for a Purpose)
10. Japan Travel — How to Ride a Bus in Kyoto Area (Travel for a Purpose)