Kyoto - Toji Temple

Toji Temple was founded in 794 as a guardian temple for Kyoto. It was one of only two great temples allowed in the city after the capital was moved from Nara to escape the meddlesome Buddhist clergy.

The Lecture Hall contains 21 images representing a Mikkyo (Esoteric Buddhism) mandala. The Main Hall (Kondo) contains statues depicting the Takushi (Healing Buddha) trinity. The southern part of the garden has the five-story pagoda which, despite having burnt down five times, was rebuilt in 1643 and is now the highest pagoda in Japan.