The Five-Story Pagodas of Tō-ji and Daigo-ji

Tō-ji's five-story pagoda, Japan's tallest wooden pagoda

The formal name of Tō-ji's five-story pagoda as a cultural property is the "Kyōōgokoku-ji five-story pagoda," and it stands about 55 m tall. It is the tallest of Japan's surviving historic buildings and is also the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan. Kōbō Daishi Kūkai began work on the pagoda around 826 (Tenchō 3), following the Kōdō (lecture hall).

The pagoda burned down four times, from lightning strikes and other causes, and was rebuilt each time. The present pagoda is the fifth, completed in 1643 (Kan'ei 20) after the fire of 1641 (Kan'ei 18). The rebuilding was supported by the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, and the structure is in the Japanese (wayō) style, following the older form. It was designated an Important Cultural Property on December 28, 1897 (Meiji 30), and a National Treasure on November 22, 1952 (Shōwa 27).

Daigo-ji's five-story pagoda, the oldest wooden building in Kyoto Prefecture

The five-story pagoda at Daigo-ji in Fushimi Ward was begun by Emperor Suzaku, a son of Emperor Daigo, to pray for his father's repose, and completed in 952 (Tenryaku 6) in the reign of the next emperor, Murakami. It is the oldest surviving wooden building in Kyoto Prefecture, and on June 9, 1951 (Shōwa 26) it was among the first buildings designated National Treasures under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties.

It is about 38 m tall, and the finial (sōrin) standing on the roof alone is about 13 m, one third of the pagoda's total height. The interior of the first story is painted with the Mandalas of the Two Realms and the Eight Patriarchs of Shingon, known as the wellspring of Japanese esoteric Buddhist painting. In the wars of the 15th century the lower temple of Daigo-ji lost almost all its buildings, but this pagoda survived and still conveys the appearance of the Heian period.

The central pillar, the first story, and the risk of lightning

At the center of a five-story pagoda stands a thick pillar called the shinbashira (central pillar), which supports the finial. At Tō-ji the central pillar represents Dainichi Nyorai, and according to tradition, relics of the Buddha that Kūkai brought back from Tang China are enshrined in it. The interior of the first story is a space for Buddhist statues; at Tō-ji four Nyorai and eight Bodhisattvas are placed around the central pillar.

Tō-ji's pagoda has only a small difference between the widths of its upper and lower roofs, a feature shared by the pagoda of Ninna-ji. Despite their slender look, such pagodas are strong against earthquakes but vulnerable to lightning. On the walls of Tō-ji's first story are painted dragons, expressing the wish to protect the pagoda from fire.

Cross-Section of a Five-Story Pagoda (Schematic)

Other wooden pagodas in Kyoto City

The National Treasure five-story pagodas in Kyoto City are the two at Tō-ji and Daigo-ji, but other old wooden pagodas survive as well. The five-story pagoda of Hōkan-ji in Higashiyama Ward is known as the "Yasaka Pagoda." The present pagoda is the fourth: after the fire of 1436 (Eikyō 8), it was rebuilt in 1440 (Eikyō 12) with the support of Ashikaga Yoshinori, and it is designated an Important Cultural Property. Before that it had also burned in 1179 and 1291 and been rebuilt with the support of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Emperor Go-Uda.

The five-story pagoda of Ninna-ji in Ukyō Ward was built in 1644 (Kan'ei 21), with a body of 32.7 m and a total height of 36.18 m, and is an Important Cultural Property. The three-story pagoda of Kiyomizu-dera was rebuilt in 1632 (Kan'ei 9) and is also an Important Cultural Property.

A Kyoto landmark at the entrance to Heian-kyō

Tō-ji was built in 796, two years after Heian-kyō was founded, as a state temple east of the Rajōmon, the main gate of the capital, paired with Sai-ji (the West Temple). Tō-ji is the only temple that still stands where it was founded with Heian-kyō, and its five-story pagoda stands right beside the southern entrance to Heian-kyō. The pagoda is visible from many places in the city and has long been known as a Kyoto landmark.

Visiting Tō-ji, Daigo-ji, and the Yasaka Pagoda

Tō-ji is at 1 Kujō-chō, Minami Ward: about 10 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Tōji Station, about 15 minutes from the Hachijō exit of JR Kyoto Station, or right by the "Toji Higashimon-mae" city bus stop. The gates are open from 5:00 to 17:00, and entering the grounds just to view the pagoda from outside is free (as of October 2026). In the regular season, admission to the Kondō and Kōdō is 800 yen for adults, 400 yen for high school students, and 300 yen for junior high school students and younger. The interior of the pagoda's first story is not open year-round; it can be entered only during special openings at New Year and in spring and autumn. A combined ticket for the first story, Kondō, and Kōdō is 1,200 yen for adults, 700 yen for high school students, and 500 yen for junior high school students and younger.

Daigo-ji is at 22 Daigo Higashiōji-chō, Fushimi Ward, about 10 minutes on foot from exit 2 of Daigo Station on the Tōzai subway line. Admission to the Garan area, where the five-story pagoda stands, is 600 yen for one area (400 yen for junior and senior high school students), free for elementary school students and younger. A combined ticket for the three areas of Sanbō-in, Garan, and the Reihōkan museum is 1,500 yen for adults (regular season; fees change during the spring cherry blossom season). Hours are 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 in winter).

The Yasaka Pagoda (Hōkan-ji) is in Yasaka Kamimachi, Higashiyama Ward, 5 minutes on foot from the "Higashiyama Yasui" or "Kiyomizu-michi" city bus stops. Admission is charged to see the interior (check with Hōkan-ji for the opening days). Anyone can view the exterior from the street.