Introduction to Toji temple
Toji Temple was built about 1,200 years ago and is the only temple remaining from the original founding of Kyoto. There are many things to see, including the five-story pagoda, which is the tallest wooden building in Japan, and the kodo hall where many Buddhist statues are enshrined.
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Toji temple (Kyoto) Beautiful pagoda and Buddha statues
Toji means the temple in the east. It was built on the east side of the city 1,200 years ago when Kyoto was founded. The five-story pagoda stands 55 metres (180 feet) and is the tallest wooden structure in Japan. There are many Buddha statues lined up in the Kodo hall.
Morning service begins at 6am every day
I attended the morning service at Toji Temple. When I arrived at the temple around 5:45, it was still pitch black, but there were a few people walking around.
When I headed to the northwest side of the temple grounds, I found a closed gate where some people were waiting. I waited as well, and then the bell rang and the gate opened.
Just beyond the gate was the Miedo Hall, a designated national treasure. This hall is built on the site where Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, lived. Monks were lined up in front of the hall chanting sutras.
Anyone could enter the hall freely. A pitch-black statue of Kobo Daishi was enshrined at the front of the hall. This statue is open to the public every morning during religious services (It is also open to the public on the 21st of every month, which is a festival day).
After sitting in the chair for a while, the monk began chanting sutras. It was a sutra that sounded like a song with a melody. About half of the worshippers seemed to be regular visitors, and they were chanting sutras together with the monk.
It is believed that the spirit of Kobo Daishi still lives in this hall. For this reason, during this ceremony, he was offered food and tea.
After a while, another monk entered the hall. After a while, another monk entered the hall and held the Buddha’s relics over the heads of the attendees.
Then the drums were beaten and the event ended with the chanting of the Heart Sutra.
When I left the hall, the five-story pagoda stood out against the backdrop of the morning sky.
Shukubo (temple stay)
You can stay overnight at Rakunan-Kaikan, located within the grounds of Toji Temple. It is also convenient for attending morning services.
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Toji-Rakunan-Kaikan temple stay (Kyoto)
Toji Temple was built around 1,200 years ago when the city of Kyoto was established. The shukubo was three stories tall and old, but it had been renovated and was clean. From the window, I could see the illuminated five-story pagoda directly in front of me, which was wonderful.
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