By using this site, you agree to the use of cookies. Tofuku-ji Temple (東福寺) Tofuku-ji is one of the largest temples in Kyoto, and one of the most important temples in the Zen sect of Buddhism.This temple was first built in the 13th century, and throughout the centuries additions and renovations have been made to the temple buildings and grounds, so that it is now a mix of styles from Imperial Japan’s eras. Sanjusangendo Temple: Stunning display of 1000 buddhas - See 3,926 traveler reviews, 2,345 candid photos, and great deals for Kyoto, Japan, at Tripadvisor. ToJi lacks the glossy beauty of many Kyoto temples but it impresses by the sheer weight of its history. This site uses machine translation, so content is not always accurate. Today it still echoes the bygone rituals, lingering in its temple halls. Kubai founded the temple in 794. Please note that translated content may differ from the original English page. Nanzen-ji is the most rewarding temple in Kyoto. Written by. ... On either side are 1,000 smaller statues of the same buddha, and in the adjacent corridor stand 28 guardian deities that preside over this supernatural scene. The 10 Best Temples to Visit in Kyoto, Japan. The western temple no longer exists, but Toji, the “Eastern Temple has survived to the present day. The temple features a huge hall containing 1,001 figures of Kannon carved in the 12th and 13th centuries. Karen Jensen. A temple built by the famous warlord Taira no Kiyomori for Emperor Go-Shirakawa in 1164, Sanjūsangen-dō is primarily famous for its 1,001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of compassion in her thousand-armed incarnation, lined up along the entire length of the thirty-three ken (unit of measurement) hall from which the temple gets its moniker. See our privacy policy for more information. Sanjusangendo Temple, Kyoto Sanjusangendo (Rengeo-in) Temple was originally built by Taira no Kiyamori for retired emperor Go-Shirakawa in 1164 and dedicated to the Bodhisattva Kannon. It’s the one temple that has it all: expansive maple-studded grounds that can hold masses of people without feeling crowded; a superb karesansui (Zen garden); hidden grottos in the woods nearby; and eye-smartingly beautiful halls and gates.