Tōfuku-ji Temple

Welcome to Tōfuku-ji, a cornerstone of Zen Buddhism in Kyoto and one of the most significant temple complexes in Japan. Founded in 1236 by the imperial chancellor Kujō Michiie, the temple's name is a portmanteau of two great…

Standing before us is the Sanmon Gate, the oldest Zen main gate in Japan and a designated National Treasure. Rebuilt in 1425 after a fire, it stands at a staggering sixty-five feet tall. …

We now approach the Tsutenkyo, or the 'Bridge to Heaven.' This covered wooden walkway spans the Sengyoku-kan ravine and is the most famous vantage point in the temple. The current structure was rebuilt in 1959 after a typhoon…

We enter the Hojo, the former Abbot’s Hall, to witness some of the most innovative Zen gardens in Japan. These gardens were designed in 1939 by the celebrated landscape architect Mirei Shigemori. …

At the far end of the Tsutenkyo Bridge lies the Kaisando, the Founder's Hall, dedicated to the temple's first abbot, Enni Ben'en. This area feels more secluded and intimate than the main grounds. …

We return briefly to the Hojo to examine the 'Hasso-no-niwa' or the Garden of the Eight Phases. The name refers to the eight significant stages in the life of the Buddha, from his birth to his entry into Nirvana. …

Just outside the main walls of Tōfuku-ji lies Shorin-ji, one of the many 'tatchu' or sub-temples that support the main complex. While Tōfuku-ji is grand and monumental, Shorin-ji is intimate and accessible. …

As you prepare to leave Tōfuku-ji, take one last look at the massive Sanmon Gate and the gentle slope of the maple ravine. We have journeyed through the medieval majesty of the Muromachi period and the avant-garde Zen of Mirei…