To-ji Temple

To-ji Temple Ko-do (lecture hall) and Kon-do (the main hall)

To-ji Temple is formally known as Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple. Its five story pagoda which you can view from the Shinkansen bullet train platform in Kyoto Station is one of the famous sites of Kyoto.
The temple was established in 796, two years after the capital moved to Heian-kyo. In 823, the temple was handed over to kukai, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, then temple construction began. The construction continued even after Kukai's death, and in 883, the five story pagoda in the current form was completed. Though the pagoda was destroyed several times by lightning, earthquakes, and fighting, it was rebuilt each time.
There are also other temple buildings such as Kon-do (the main hall), Ko-do (lecture hall), and Daishi-do (residence of the priest kobo-daishi), visitors are allowed to enter Kon-do and Ko-do. The Main Hall (Kon-do) contains statues of the Yakushi Trinity (Yakushi-nyorai-zazo, the principal image of To-ji, in its center and Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu on both sides). Inside Ko-do (lecture hall), located near the reception area, there are 21 Buddhist images centered on Dainichi Nyorai statues, they are considered as a Mandara (Buddhism picture) representing Kukai's precept. The present five story pagoda, which is a symbol of this temple, was rebuilt in 1644 and is now the highest (55 meters) pagoda in Japan. There is a small garden in front of the pagoda surrounding Hyotan Pond, creating beautiful contrast with seasonal flowers.