Temple · Higashiyama / Gion

Kodai-ji 高台寺

The memorial temple of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's widow Nene, with gold-lacquer interiors, a bamboo grove, a raked garden that hosts bold projection-mapping illuminations, and a robot Kannon.

About

Kodai-ji was founded in 1606 by Kita-no-Mandokoro, known as Nene, to pray for her husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the great unifier of Japan, and was funded generously by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Otamaya mausoleum is decorated in Kodaiji maki-e, lavish black-and-gold lacquer with autumn grasses that became a style named after the temple. The garden attributed to Kobori Enshu spreads around two ponds linked by covered corridors including the Garyu-ro "reclining dragon" stair, and a small but photogenic bamboo grove leads past two teahouses said to have been moved from Fushimi Castle. The Hojo garden of raked sand becomes a screen for projection-mapping shows during spring, summer and autumn night viewings, which are some of the most inventive in Kyoto. Across the road the temple's Entoku-in has more gardens, and the Kodai-ji Sho Museum shows its lacquer treasures. The temple also displays an android Kannon, Minder, which gives sermons several times a day.

Highlights

• Otamaya mausoleum with Kodaiji maki-e gold lacquer
• Bamboo grove path between the teahouses
• Night illumination with projection mapping on the Hojo garden
• Garyu-ro, the covered "reclining dragon" corridor
• Combined ticket with Entoku-in and the Sho Museum

Tips

• The evening illumination in spring and autumn runs until about 22:00 and is less crowded than Kiyomizu's.
• Buy the combined ticket for Kodai-ji, Entoku-in and the museum if you have time for all three.
• It sits on Nene-no-michi, between Yasaka Shrine and Ninenzaka, so slot it into the Higashiyama walk.
• Check the schedule for the Minder android sermon if you want to see it.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Nene-no-MichiPhoto Spot · 130 m away
• Ishibe-koji LanePhoto Spot · 190 m away
• Park Hyatt KyotoStay · 220 m away
• Donguri Republic NinenzakaPokémon & Character Store · 230 m away
• Hisago (Gion)Restaurant · 250 m away
• Starbucks Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka ChayaCafé & Sweets · 280 m away
• Camellia Tea Ceremony (Flower Teahouse)Activities & Experiences · 290 m away
• SOWAKAStay · 300 m away