Tofuku-ji Temple

Tofuku-ji Temple, one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto, was built in 1239. Covering an area of more than 200,000 square meters, it is the largest Zen temple in Kyoto. In early winter, the ancient maple trees come to life, with red, yellow, and green leaves interwoven, and fallen leaves covering the ground, creating a beautiful scene. The Sanmon Gate of Tofuku-ji Temple is a national treasure with a long history and a strong Song Dynasty architectural style. The Sanmon Gate is five bays wide and two bays deep, with large dougong brackets and deep, elegant eaves, making it the oldest mountain gate in Japan. It is rare to have the opportunity to visit the special opening of the Sanmon Gate (November 18 to December 15), where you can see the exquisite paintings on the beams, the gorgeous flying apsaras, and the treasures of the temple, including the Shakyamuni Buddha and the Arhats. The Tofuku-ji Temple is a treasure trove, with a unique Hojo Hall surrounded by four gardens, featuring the dry landscape garden designed by the famous garden designer Mirei Shigemori, completed in 1936. The garden has eight themes, including the four sacred islands of Penglai, symbolizing the "Eight Aspects of Shakyamuni's Enlightenment," and is known as the "Eight Aspects Garden."