To-ji

京都市南区九条町1Open in Google Maps ↗

To-ji is the head temple of the Shingon school, also known as Kyoo Gokokuji. Founded when the capital moved to Heian-kyo some 1,200 years ago, it is the only surviving structure of the original Heian capital and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. Emperor Saga entrusted the state temple to Kukai (Kobo Daishi), who had returned from studying Esoteric Buddhism in Tang China, making it Japan's first Esoteric Buddhist temple. At the Mieido hall, the same daily offerings of meals and tea that Kukai himself received are still made today.