Tofuku-ji

Temple

Prefecture

Kyoto

Type

Temple

N/A

1 review

¥500

Entry Fee

Train Access

About This Destination

One of Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples. Best autumn foliage in the city—the view from Tsutenkyo Bridge over 2,000 maples is the shot everyone takes.

Tofuku-ji serves as the head temple of the Tofuku-ji branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, founded in 1236 by the statesman Kujo Michiie. Each November, the temple draws enormous crowds for what many consider Kyoto's finest autumn foliage display: the Tsutenkyo Bridge spans a valley carpeted with approximately 2,000 maple trees that blaze in brilliant reds and oranges. Beyond its autumn fame, the temple holds year-round significance. The Sanmon gate is a National Treasure, the oldest surviving Zen main gate in Japan. The Hojo garden, designed by modernist landscape architect Shigemori Mirei in 1939, represents a bold departure from tradition, blending classical Zen aesthetics with striking geometric patterns. The extensive complex encompasses 25 sub-temples and preserves rare Muromachi-period structures including the Zendo meditation hall and a historic bathhouse, offering depth for visitors willing to explore beyond the famous bridge.

Location

Prefecture: Kyoto

Address: Kyoto, Japan

Nearest Station: Tofukuji Station

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Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: No dining within the temple grounds, but several small noodle shops and teahouses line the approach road from Tofukuji Station.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to see autumn leaves at Tofuku-ji?

Mid to late November is peak season, usually around November 15–30. The temple opens early (8:30 AM) during autumn, and mornings are noticeably less crowded. Weekdays are strongly recommended; weekends and the November 23 holiday see massive lines for the Tsutenkyo Bridge view. Check the temple website for current foliage conditions.

Is Tofuku-ji worth visiting outside of autumn?

Yes — the Sanmon gate (National Treasure, the oldest surviving Zen main gate in Japan) and the Hojo gardens designed by modernist landscape architect Shigemori Mirei in 1939 are exceptional year-round. Summer brings lush green maples in the same valley; winter and spring are very quiet, letting you appreciate the Zen architecture and stone gardens without crowds. Adult admission to the Hojo gardens and Tsutenkyo Bridge is 500 yen each.

How do I get to Tofuku-ji from Kyoto Station?

One stop on the JR Nara Line (2 minutes) or Keihan Line to Tofukuji Station, then a 10-minute walk south. You can also walk from Kyoto Station in about 25 minutes through old neighborhoods. From Higashiyama, the temple is a 20-minute walk south along the Kamogawa river. By city bus, take #208 from Kyoto Station to 'Tofukuji' bus stop.

What's special about the Tsutenkyo Bridge?

The Tsutenkyo (Heaven-Crossing Bridge) is a covered wooden walkway that spans the Sengyokukan Valley, where roughly 2,000 maples turn fiery red in November. The view from the bridge looking down into the valley is the iconic Tofuku-ji autumn shot — and from the valley floor looking up at the bridge through the maples is equally famous. Photography is forbidden directly on the bridge during peak November to keep the line moving; the surrounding paths give the same view.