To-ji Temple

The pagoda of To-ji Temple soars above the suburban sprawl of southern Kyoto, reassuring the visitor that there’s still plenty of beauty left in the city.

Aerial view of Kyoto city from Kodaiji temple: twoKim images / Shutterstock.com

If you enter Kyoto from the south or west (for example, on the Haruka Airport Express from Kansai International Airport), you might find fall into despair as you approach Kyoto and find yourself surrounded by a drab expanse of shoddy apartments and gaudy signs so typical of most Japanese cities. Where are all the sublime traditional sights you’ve read so much about? Just as you’re starting to think you’ve been had, you’ll see the soaring spire of To-ji Temple’s pagoda rising above the sprawl to the southwest of the station. This will set your mind at ease and inspire you to start exploring the city.

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While you could walk there in about 15 minutes from Kyoto Station, it’s not a particularly pleasant walk, so it’s better to hop on a local on the Kintetsu line from Kyoto Station and ride it one stop to Toji Station, from which the temple is a short walk. Whatever you do, if you’re in the city on the 21st of any month, DON’T MISS the Kobo-san Market, held on the temple grounds (best to go in the morning, when the biggest variety of goods are on offer).

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English address:
1 Kujo-cho, Minami-ku

Japanese address:
南区九条町1番地

Opening hours:
8:00am-5:00pm, last entry 4.30pm

Admission:
Grounds: free

Kondo, Kodo: ¥800

Treasure Hall: ¥600

Pagoda, Kondo, Kodo: ¥1200

Non-smoking area: Yes

Nearest Transport:
10min walk from Kintetsu Line Toji Station

Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near to To-ji Temple on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Telephone:
691-3325

Website:
Official Website (Japanese)

Near To Here:
To-ji Temple is located in Kyoto Station area. See our complete list of things to do in Kyoto Station area, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

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About InsideKyoto.com and Chris Rowthorn

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• A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
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