Toji Temple Complex in Kyoto. Tōji temple complex

The five-tiered pagoda, one of the main attractions of the Buddhist temple complex To-ji, founded in 796, is currently the tallest wooden building in Kyoto. With a height of 57 meters, it is one of the tallest pagodas in Japan. The pagoda is a symbol of the former Japanese capital. It is only open to visitors for a few days a year.

To-ji Temple was built in the southern part of the city two years after the capital of Japan was moved from Nara to Heian (the former name of Kyoto). On three sides, Heian was surrounded by the Higashiyama, Kitayama and Arashiyama mountain ranges. In the south, the city was not protected by a mountain range, so a huge Rajomon gate was built here, and behind them, on the left and right, two temples were erected - East (To-ji) and West (Sai-ji). Later, Kukai, a well-known Buddhist monk and preacher, gave To-ji Temple the name "Temple that guards the capital" and founded the Shingon Buddhist school there. Many buildings of the temple appeared during the time of Kukai. After his death, many pilgrims began to come to the temple.

To date, the temple complex has retained its original boundaries and its historical style, even having survived several reconstructions. To-ji is famous for its treasury, which contains many works of art related to Buddhism. Most of the rarities come from China. To-ji is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and some of its buildings have the status of a national treasure.

The main hall (Kondo) has the status of a national treasure and is the largest room in the complex. It contains treasures from the Momoyama period and other eras, such as statues of the Buddha Yakushi Nyorai, who is considered the patron saint of medicine, and his two assistants. The kodo (or lecture hall) houses 21 statues of buddhas and bodhisattvas, some of which were brought from neighboring China by Kukai himself. These sculptures were carved from wood 1200 years ago. The Hall has been given the status of Important Cultural Property. Mieido (Founder's Hall) where Kukai lived is also a National Treasure of Japan.

Many buildings of the temple complex at different times were exposed to fires and earthquakes, and the five-tiered pagoda burned down four times due to lightning. These buildings were restored and restored. The pagoda that can be seen today was built in 1644 by order of the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.

The game that won the hearts of millions will soon be officially available worldwide on Android and iOS platforms. We are talking about the well-known game - Pokemon Go. There will be a huge variety of Pokémon in the game, and while the game has not yet been released, this article will talk about where some of the epic Pokémon will be located. As the release date of the game approaches, there may be additions, but more on that later. And now let's start listing the epic locations and the Pokémon living there.

Times Square in New York

Attentive fans of the game may have noticed that one of the epic Pokémon was shown in the video for the game. It was an epic Pokémon called Mewtwo, whose level is 70, and it was located just in Times Square. Of course, it could just be a video and it has nothing to do with the game, but if this Pokemon does end up there, then all lovers of this creature will have to run for tickets for a flight to New York.

Banteay Stray temple complex in Cambodia

The place is famous both for the anime series and for some moments of the Tomb Raider movie. This complex was chosen as its habitat by a Pokémon named Mew. Banteay Srei is a great place for cultural recreation, and for Pokemon Go trainers it is also their place of specialization, so stock up on Pokeballs, a ticket to Cambodia and go meet Mew!

Glacier in Iceland - Vatnajökull

Despite the glacier's scary and hard-to-read name, Pokémon Trainers will love this place, as it's home to one of the strongest Epic Ice-wielding Pokémon. And to be more precise, Articuno, an ice flying Pokemon, lives here. In simple terms, this glacier can also be called ice caves, and the epic pokemon lives in them. Also, this Pokemon will be very good in fights against Pokemon - dragons.

Power station

If the player has high resistance to high voltage and a hanging tongue to prove to security that he is not an intruder, then go for the Zapdos Pokémon. The Pokemon chose any power plant as its habitat, so if the player has all of the above, then it's time to stock up on Pokeballs and go hunting for the Thunderbird - Pokemon. Although this Pokemon is not as rare as all the others, it would also be nice to catch it.

Mountains of Carmel

In the mountains of Carmel, around the Red Caves, one of the rarest Pokémon, Moltres, lives. This type of Pokemon is fire, and it can also fly. If the coach wants to become a formidable opponent in battles with other coaches, we do everything the same way - we stock up on pokeballs in large quantities, because. it will most likely be very difficult to catch him, and go on the hunt for an epic pokemon!

Temple complex in Kyoto, Japan

Having bought a ticket to Kyoto, immediately get a wagon of pokeballs, because. once in a temple complex called Toji, in this very Kyoto, there will be an opportunity to catch three epic Pokemon at once. Their abilities are the control of earth, fire and electricity. Having caught these three Pokémon, the trainer can immediately transfer his status to the “Dangerous” category, because. These Pokémon are very strong. True, they won’t let themselves be caught just like that, so it might be worth buying a little more than a car of pokeballs.

Toji Temple

If the player came to the temple not alone, but with friends, then while they are chasing three Pokémon around the complex, it is worth climbing to the very top of the temple. The top of the temple has become the habitat of a Pokemon named Ho-oh, which is a replacement for the Pokemon Moltres. However, Ho-oh is not a fire Pokémon. He acts as the guardian of heaven. The damage that this Pokémon can do to its trainer's rivals is huge, so good luck conquering Toji Temple.

Tristan da Cunha

Many people are familiar with the Tristan da Cunha archipelago Pokemon from the numerous pictures circulating on the Internet, which illustrated unsuccessful trainers trying to catch a Pokemon in the Atlantic Ocean. The Pokémon that lives in this ocean is Lugia. As usual, we stock up on a trolley of pokeballs, charge the phone, take an additional energy carrier and fight the trainer, this fight will not be easy.

Bamboo forest in Kyoto

If a group of trainers nevertheless arrived in Kyoto, then in addition to the Toji temple, it is worth visiting the bamboo forest. This is not only a beautiful place for people who love to travel, but also a place to hunt for Pokémon. The forest has become a habitat for a Pokémon named Celebi. This Pokemon is somewhat reminiscent of Mew, just as strong and beautiful.

Dubai Burj Khalifa

Dubai has the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. The height of the building is 830 meters. This is where trainers will have to look for a Pokémon named Rayquaza. It's worth catching this Pokemon just because if the mega-evolution function is added to the application, then mego Rayquaza will pulverize everything that moves, and what doesn't move, it will move and erase!

Volcano

The name of the volcano and its location is not indicated by chance, because. You can catch the next Pokémon on any volcano in the world. The name of the Pokemon Groudon is a fire-breathing creature. If the trainer manages to teach a Pokemon powerful fire strikes, then, coupled with earthquake strikes, this Pokemon will be able to make a rustle among the enemies of his host.

Below sea level

If the coach is seriously interested in diving or just came to the sea to relax and decided to swim, then we definitely stock up on pokeballs, a waterproof bag for the phone, charge the device to the maximum and go not just to swim, but to conquer the pokemon living at the bottom. Kyogre is a Water Pokémon that can be useful in many situations.

Vatican

At the mention of the Vatican, people playing Pokemon Go do not imagine monuments of architecture or a good cultural vacation, they slyly run to charge the phone and buy a huge pile of Pokeballs, because none other than Arceus lives in the Vatican. The strongest Pokémon in the game, able to learn almost any skill, any move. The competition to catch this Pokémon is high, but whoever catches it will pay back in full, plunging his trainer's enemies to smithereens.

At the moment, this is so far all the information that is known about epic Pokemon and their habitats.

Toji (Eastern Temple) was founded as a temple patronized by the city in 796, two years after Heian became the capital of Japan. This is a Buddhist temple of the Shingon sect. Previously, he had a partner - Saiji (Western Temple). They stood next to the Rashomon, the gateway to the Heian capital.

Toji is famous for its five-tiered pagoda, Japan's tallest wooden structure at 54.8 meters, and Buddhist sculptures that are found in the temple's large main hall (kondo) and lecture hall (kodo). The construction of the current pagoda dates back to the Edo period, when it was restored by order of the third Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. The pagoda was and remains the symbol of Kyoto. The entrance is open only a few days a year. The property also has a traditional Japanese garden with a pond where turtles and ornamental carp swim.

Toji is one of the many structures included in the UNESCO World Heritage Fund.

On the 21st of each month, a fair is held around Toji from early morning until approximately 4:30 pm. It sells a variety of goods including clothing, shoes, cutlery, crockery, sculptures, groceries, and more. This market is commonly called Kobo-san after Kobo Daishi who died on the 21st. Kobo Daishi is a famous Buddhist priest who was imprisoned in Toji in 823 by order of Emperor Saga.

A less busy and smaller market is held at Toji Shrine on the first Sunday of every month. At this time, various antique items are sold here. A great opportunity for tourists to purchase antique Japanese gizmos at a relatively affordable price. And it is not so important whether you understand the old days or not, the main thing is that you like the thing.

Unlike most of Kyoto's other attractions, Toji is located south of Kyoto Station, a 10-15 minute walk.

Toji is one of the many structures included in the UNESCO World Heritage Fund.

Unlike most of Kyoto's other attractions, Toji is located south of Kyoto Station, a 10-15 minute walk.

Toji Temple on the map

It seems to me or is it some kind of hieroglyph on the mountain?

If you notice two bridges in the first photo. Nearby is the confluence of the Kamogawa and Takanogawa rivers. And between them in the dark forest is Shimogamo. The oldest temple is dedicated to the patrons of the city: Kamotaketsunomi-no-mikoto and Tamayorihime-no-mikoto.

There was some kind of revival in the temple. It seemed to me that they were preparing for some kind of holiday. And there were more visitors than usual in such sanctuaries.

In the foreground are "ema" boards with wishes. But what kind of multi-colored pieces of paper, I do not know. Perhaps this is the same tradition, only modified.

Sake for kami. Everywhere there are such barrels, only recently I found out that these are for spirits.

Something strange. Judging by the shimenawa straw rope with white shide papers, this is something sacred.

Girls in full dress scurried around the territory

The guys in white also did some training

This thing is probably ritual, but I don't know what it's called. More white ropes on the bushes...

Strange houses... I don't understand anything :(

I don’t know how to call it correctly, “service” or “prayer”, but the monk made such sounds. Either he sang, or he mournfully hummed in a singsong voice. In general, very unusual. I didn’t arrange a photo session, I just clicked quickly and left.

View through the gate in the opposite direction, this is the courtyard of the temple

I wonder what these open areas with roofs are used for?

sacred tree. Kami lives in it.

Shimogamo is one of the oldest Shinto shrines. The temple became an object of imperial patronage at the beginning of the Heian period. I didn't want to leave without visiting this place. I looked and went to the ryokan to pick up a backpack. But on the way I decided to deviate a bit and visit more To-ji. It is simply marked on the map with a yellow circle, which means that it is also included in the World Heritage List. I visited almost all the important temples, and this one was not far from the station. Well, I couldn't go there!

The five-tiered pagoda dates back to the Edo period and was built in 794. National treasure. Tallest pagoda in Japan.

But first I went to the right, there were some buildings that seemed to form a separate complex. In the photo, I think the Hōmotsu-kan museum, where the treasures of To-ji are kept. It is only open four months of the year from 20 March to 25 May and from 20 September to 25 November. Exhibitions, as far as I understand, are changing.

Names (or company names) of those who donated funds to the temple

I look at the map, behind this gate there are two pavilions: the first is marked as Dainichido, the second is called Mieido. Mieido is known for the healing properties of smoke, many Japanese believe in it, they come to inhale the aromas of incense and substitute sick parts of the body under it.

I think I lied about the museum. Now I'm looking at the building, in my opinion it was Jikido. I don’t know what kind of temple, but judging by the number of people, it is very popular.

Next to the pagoda is a pond called Hyotan

On the left you can see Kondo - the main building of the temple. It was first erected in 796, burned down in 1486 and rebuilt in 1603. It is a mix of Japanese and Indian cultures. There are many impressive statues inside, but unfortunately you can’t take pictures.

I entered through the Kita-Daimon gate, and this is the opposite - Nan-Daimon. Through them you can get to Kujyo Street. Next to this entrance is another Yashima temple, I did not photograph it, since all this is located outside the territory. Pagoda, Pond, Kon-do and Ko-do are all fenced in, entrance fee is 500 yen.

An event was being prepared in the temple. Between the pavilions there were people with microphones and spotlights. They set up the light and tried it on the walls of the temple. In the photo, the Ko-do wall is a lecture hall. The building was built in 825-835, completely burned down in 1486, but was rebuilt in 1596-1615.

It seemed to me that it was a TV presenter, they were filming some kind of program. In the brochure that was given with the ticket, I read that the official name of the temple is Kyo-o-gokokuji. But no one calls him that, on all maps he is designated as Toji. The first temple was founded by Kukai, who later became known as Kobo-daishi. Miei-do (see above) is the place where he lived. Now it is the Hall of the Great Teacher (Taishi-do). On the 21st of every month, a fair is held in memory of Kukai.

All! After that, I took my backpack, said goodbye to the hospitable hosts of the ryokan and went to the station. In the photo is the same Kyoto tower that met me when I arrived in the city. It was the first thing I saw when I left the station and the first sight which I visited.

There is a Yodobashi store near the tower, I already showed it in one of the previous parts. But now I'll show you more. Remember it and come tomorrow to see Osaka;)

I still managed to kick myself out of Kyoto. Initially, I planned to leave in the morning, but was delayed almost until the evening. I arrived in Osaka around six.