Tofuku-Ji Shrine

Tōfuku-ji is a Zen Buddhist Temple in Higashiyama-ku in Kyoto and is located close to the Fushimi Inari-Taisha, which is a Shinto shrine. So if your time is limited in Kyoto, these are two excellent shrines to visit. Tōfuku-ji is regarded as one of the best shrines in Kyoto and one of the 'Five Mountains of Rinzai Zen' in Kyoto.

The shrine was founded in 1236 by the Zen Buddhist priest Enni Ben'en, while the 22 metre high Sanmon Gate was built in 1425 and is believed to be the oldest Zen gate in Japan. The Abbot's Hall (or Hōjō) was reconstructed in 1890. Constructed of wood, the structures, were never built to last and have often fallen into decay or accidentally burnt down to be reconstructed in a similar style.

The pictures show the beautiful and intricate Buddhist artchitecture, but equally outstanding are the undulating landscape gardens, which incorporate mature bushes, maple trees, stones, and moss, which was first laid down in 1938. The autumn is regarded as the best time to visit as the maple leaves turn brown. Traversing the valley is the Bridge to Heaven, which offers spectacular views across the gardens in every direction.