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. |
