(History of the temple)
The construction of this temple got started toward the end of the eighth century after the capital of Japan was moved to Kyoto from Nara . After having studied in China for two years, the Venerable "Kobo-Daishi", or "Kukai", was given this temple in 822. He wished that the peace of the nation will be maintained through the teachings of the Buddhism whose light will reach every corner of the world and that individual thought will coexist without infringing on each other to be finally realized through the cooperation of all the people.
The four main structures of this temple, namely, "Kondo", "Kodo", "Jikido" halls and the five-storied pagoda were destroyed by typhoons, fires, lightnings and other natural disasters many times since their coming into being in the early 9th century. The reconstruction of these buildings as they stand now were completed in the period between 1492 and 1644.
(Highlights)
The four main magnificent buildings really make you sigh in amazement . All of them were built with the sophisticated building technique in the ancient times some 1200 years ago. Inside them are various Buddha statues seated, or standing with a passionless face as if they were preaching us the enlightening yet grave Buddhist doctrines.
(How to enjoy)
Just look at the faces of the Buddha images in the three halls and the five-storied pagoda. You will never end up not feeling the awe emanating from them.
(Unfortunately, however, photo-taking is not allowed inside the buildings). Taking a walk in the temple grounds while looking at the marvelous wooden buildings will surely make you feel at ease. On the 21st of each month, which is called "Kobo-san" and is the monthly return of the date of the demise of the Venerable "Kobo-daishi ", more than 1,000 stalls are installed where you can buy various kinds of goods and souvenirs. There are more than 200,000 visitors on this day.
(Others)
The entrance fee is usually 500 yen, but it is 800 yen on the 21st of every month. You can walk to the temple from JR Kyoto station in 30 minutes. If you take a bus, the fare will be 460 yen on both ways.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At your hotel.
Buddha statues inside the buildings.
Five-storied pagoda.
Ending Point
At your hotel.
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee, hotel pick-up in Kyoto area
transportation fee (you and guide), lunch, dinner, entrance fee, hotel pick-up in areas beyond Kyoto area.
I would like at least 7 days notice before a booking.
It took me some 20 years to be qualified for this job and I feel honored for being able to help tourists from abroad understand our nation and culture. Japan is a beautiful country with a long history, tradition and rich cultural heritages, having various features in each of the four distinct seasons. Although there are now many visitors from abroad, mainly from Asian countries, they are mostly interested in shopping taking advantage of cheaper yen rather than understanding our people and culture. Kyoto and Nara are the two cities best known by foreign tourists, but not all the aspects of Japanese culture are concentrated there. If you visit the countryside other than these two cities, you will never fail to see the beautiful natural surroundings and people who will warmly welcome you. I wish to work as the bridge between Japanese people and tourists from all over the world.
Toya W.
“Awesome Tour Guide ”
Tatshurio was AWESOME! He is a just a nice person with a considerate heart. He is very knowledgeable and understood the assignment. He was very flexible and allow the entire group to enjoy the location, scene, and sights. I definitely recommend Mr. Tatsuhiro. He is awesome.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Toya-san, Thank you very much for giving me such a high grade. It inspires me to do a better job for my clients from now on. I am glad you had a first look at various articles and food while you made the tour. I am proud of myself for being able to help you come closer to our culture and society. Wish you all an even greater health. Regards, Hiro
Pedro C.
“Personalized and Detailed Tour Experience at Osaka Castle with Hiro-San!”
We visited Osaka Castle with Hiro-San as our guide and appreciated his thorough knowledge of the site’s history. He provided detailed explanations about the castle’s past, including its role in political power struggles, its reconstruction, and the architectural features that have been preserved over the centuries. Hiro-San was also attentive to our needs, adjusting the tour based on our interests and pace. He was flexible and willing to accommodate our requests, which made the experience more comfortable and tailored to what we were hoping to get out of the visit. If you’re looking for a more in-depth and personalized experience of Osaka Castle, especially one that highlights the historical and cultural significance of the site, Hiro-San is your guide.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Pedro-san, Thank you very much for giving me such a high mark with a compliment. I am just happy we were able to finish the tour without any problem. I will try to further brush up my knowledge on the place so that I can serve my clients better from now on. Regards, Hiro
Susanne U.
“Great day lovely experience”
What a great day and lovely experience we had in Kyoto. Hiro-san was very helpful and kind and showed us all sopts we wanted to see. He explained a lot about history and also brought some props with him to dress up for photos which our daughter loved. He was also very helpful guiding us through public transportation which helped us a lot during the rest of our stay in Kyoto. Thank you Hiro-san for this beautiful experience.
Tatsuhiro N.
Hi Susanne-san, Danke. Thank you very much for your favorable comment. There can be no greater honor for me as a guide than to have such a lavish praise. I wish you all a good health and happiness in the days ahead. Especially, a healthy growth for Heidi. Auf Wiedersehen. Regards, Hiro
$70/ per group