Japan Atlas: Architecture 
Historic Monuments in Kyoto

The 17 properties of World Heritage

1. Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja (commonly known as the Kamigamo Shrine)

The year of foundation is unknown. After the establishment of Heian-kyo in 794, the shrine was supported by the imperial court as a shrine for the protection of the nation, together with Kamomioya-jinja. The configuration of the shrine buildings which remain today dates back to the 11th century. The Honden (main shrine building) and the Gonden (secondary shrine building), both rebuilt in 1863, are National Treasures. 

2. Kamomioya-jinja (commonly known as the Shimogamo Shrine)

This became independent from Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja around the 8th century. By the beginning of the 11th century, the shrine had taken its present form. The Higashi Honden (east main shrine building) and the Nishi Honden (west main shrine building), both rebuilt in 1863, are National Treasures. 

3. Kyoo Gokoku-ji (commonly known as To-ji)

A Buddhist temple established in 796 as one of the two imperial temples built on the east and west sides of the gate of Heian-kyo. It is an important landmark which helps orient oneself with the layout and scale of Heian-kyo. The Kondo (main hall), Gojunoto (five-storied pagoda), Daishido (originally the residence of the priest Kobo-daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism), and Renge-mon (lotus gate) are National Treasures. 

4. Kiyomizu-dera

A Buddhist temple founded in 780. The Hondo (main hall), reconstructed in 1633, is a National Treasure. This large building, constructed on the slope of a mountain, is so situated that its front half rests on a stage-like platform supported by tall pillars rising from the valley, which is popularly known as "Kiyomizu no Butai" (the stage of Kiyomizu). 

5. Enryaku-ji

A Buddhist temple founded in 788, located in present-day Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. It flourished as the guardian temple of the state and has also been the monasterial training center for Zen monks. The main building, Konponchudo, is a National Treasure, originally built in 887 and reconstructed in 1640. 

6. Daigo-ji

This Buddhist temple has two precincts; Kami-daigo (the upper precinct) on the top of a mountain and Shimo-daigo (the lower precinct) at the foot of the western slope. Construction on the former began in 874 and that of the latter in 904. Of the more than 80 temple buildings, six are National Treasures. The five-storied pagoda, completed in 952, is the oldest building remaining intact in Kyoto. 

7. Ninna-ji

A Buddhist temple completed in 888. All of the buildings within the premises were destroyed in the civil war in the 15th century, and the current buildings were reconstructed between 1641 and 1644. The Kondo (main hall), a National Treasure, was a building brought over from the Imperial Palace and reconstructed here in the 1640s. 

8. Byodo-in

Originally one of the suburban villas for the aristocracy built in the area which was famous for its scenic beauty, it was converted into a Buddhist temple in 1052. The Ho-o-do, built in 1053, is a National Treasure and a graceful, well-proportioned piece of architecture. 

9. Ujigami-jinja

The year of foundation is unknown, but this Shinto shrine was consecrated as the guardian shrine of Byodo-in in the 11th century. The Honden (main hall) built in the 11th century and the Haiden (worship hall) built in the 13th century are National Treasures. 

10. Kozan-ji

This Buddhist temple, originated in 774, was restored and revived in 1206 and then given the name Kozan-ji. Many of the temple buildings had been destroyed during warfare in the 16th century and were later rebuilt. The only building remaining from the 13th century is the residential style building Sekisui-in, which is a National Treasure. 

11. Saiho-ji

A Buddhist temple originally founded in 731 and revived in 1339. The temple is famous for its garden which typifies the spirit of Zen and is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Because the garden is now covered with overgrown moss, the temple is commonly known as "Koke-dera" (moss temple). 

12. Tenryu-ji

Originally built as a detached palace in 1255, then converted into a Zen temple in 1339. The buildings and gardens of Tenryu-ji show the typical configuration of a Zen sect temple. The Hojo garden is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. 

13. Rokuon-ji (commonly known as Kinkaku-ji)

The buildings of Rokuon-ji had been used as a country villa by the retired shogun Yoshimitsu Ashikaga (1358-1408) since 1397 and, after his death, were converted into a Zen sect temple in 1422. The famous Kinkaku (Golden Pavilion), a splendid three-storied pavilion decorated with gold leaf, is a National Treasure. The pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1950, and the building reconstructed in 1955 remains today. The temple's garden is a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. The temple is also known as the scene of the famous novel "Kinkaku-ji" (1956) by the prominent Japanese writer, Yukio Mishima (1925-1970). 

14. Jisho-ji (commonly known as Ginkaku-ji)

Originally built in 1482 by Yoshimasa Ashikaga (1436-90) as his country villa, Jisho-ji was converted into a Zen sect temple after his death. The Kannon-den (commonly called "Ginkaku", Silver Pavilion) built in 1489 and the Togudo (that used to house Yoshimasa's private study) built in 1485 are designated as National Treasures. The garden is a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. 

15. Ryoan-ji

A Zen temple founded in 1450. The world-famous Hojo Garden of the temple, created only with stones and pebbles, is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. 

16. Hongan-ji

A Buddhist temple originally founded in Osaka and transferred to Kyoto in 1591. In the 16th century, the temple was supported by Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1537-98) who unified the nation. The Shoin (reception hall), Karamon (gate), Kita-nobutai (north Noh stage, the oldest existing Noh stage), and Hiunkaku (a three-storied pavilion), and other buildings, all brought over from Hideyoshi's residences in the early 16th century and reassembled here, are National Treasures. 

17. Nijo Castle

Built by shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa (1542-1616) as the residence for the shogun visiting Kyoto. The castle had been expanded to its present size by 1626. Among the remaining buildings of the Ninomaru Palace complex, six are designated as National Treasures: Tozamurai and Kurumayose (the retainers' lodge and the entrance porch), Shikidai (Minister's reception hall), Ohiroma (official reception hall), Sotetsunoma (connecting corridor), Kuroshoin (inner audience chamber) and Shiroshoin (the Shogun's residential quarters). The garden of the Ninomaru Palace is a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.
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