All Reviews of Kodaiji Temple

Kodaiji Temple was built by Nene, the principal wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to mourn her late husband and pray for the repose of his soul. It was also where she spent her later years and was laid to rest. Steeped in history, Kodaiji is also one of Kyoto's premier fall foliage spots.

Unfortunately, this visit was in the summer, so instead of mountains covered in brilliant red leaves, there was the lush greenery of the season. Walking through the dry landscape garden, bamboo paths, and historic buildings, Kasa-tei and Shigure-tei quietly tell the story of tea ceremony culture, while traces of Nene and Hideyoshi's history still seem to linger.

Even without the red maple leaves I had been looking forward to most, Kodaiji in summer was still peaceful and charming. Slow down, listen to the wind blowing through the bamboo grove, and watch the shadows of the trees sway. Amid the bustle of Kyoto, it's a quiet corner where you can settle your mind.

When visiting Higashiyama in Kyoto, besides the bustling Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Yasaka Shrine, there's another temple well worth taking your time to explore—Kodaiji Temple.

The first thing I felt when I entered Kodaiji Temple in summer was, "It's so quiet." Even though there were many tourists outside, as soon as I stepped into the temple grounds and walked through the lush green bamboo grove, everything seemed to slow down. The wind rustling through the bamboo leaves, together with the old wooden buildings, made it feel like traveling back through Japanese history.

Although summer lacks the splendor of cherry blossoms and maple leaves, it has an extra sense of peace and quiet. The pond reflects the green trees, and the garden scenery is very relaxing, making it perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll. When you're tired from walking around, sit down nearby, rest, and gaze absentmindedly at the scenery. Maybe this is the most captivating part of traveling in Kyoto!

The nighttime illumination event at Kodaiji Temple is really popular, especially in autumn and winter. When the garden is lit up, the scenery becomes even more magical and enchanting.

The interior is decorated with lots of maki-e art. Kodaiji Temple is also known as the Temple of Maki-e.

The nighttime illumination is absolutely beautiful.

The garden landscaping is peaceful and elegant. Definitely worth a stroll!

The reflection of the autumn leaves on the lake at night looks just like a mirror. The garden is pretty dim, but luckily you can just follow the crowd.

If you walk from Kiyomizu-dera along Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka to Kodaiji, you can keep going and visit Yasaka Shrine and Chion-in as well.