Kodai-ji Temple

Temple Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, Japan

What to expect

Kodai-ji Temple is a Zen temple located in Kyoto's Higashiyama District. It was established in 1606 by Kita-no-Mandokoro, the widow of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for her late husband. The temple is famous for its beautiful gardens, including a rock garden and a tsukiyama-style garden, which are designated as a nationally historic site and place of scenic beauty. The temple's main hall, Hojo, features richly decorated interiors and is surrounded by impressive gardens. Visitors can also explore the temple's mausoleum, tea houses, and the Kodaiji Sho Museum, which exhibits treasures of Kodaiji, Nene, and several pieces of lacquer artwork. The temple is a great place to visit for those interested in history, architecture, and nature

Plan your family visit to the Kodai-ji Temple with these blog insights 👇

Things to Do in Kyoto with Kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the temple grounds and explored the gardens and the bamboo forest reflected perfectly in a lake

Highlights: The kids enjoyed what was actually creating the scenery: a bamboo forest reflected perfectly in a lake ✨

From Kodai-Ji Temple to Chion-In Temple

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited the Kodai-Ji Temple. The children spent a long time observing the gardeners. We walked through a bamboo grove. The temple has a garden in the tsukiyama style with a pond and hills adorned with maples and pines

Highlights: The children enjoyed watching the gardeners. The garden is beautiful. We recommend the visit ✨

Kyoto, Japan

This family's experience:

Activities: We visited this temple for its grounds and surroundings

Highlights: The gardens were peaceful and we saw a turtle swimming in the pond ✨