Hōkan-ji, Buddhist temple with five-storied pagoda in Higashiyama district, Kyoto, Japan
Hōkan-ji is a Buddhist temple site with a five-story pagoda in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto. The wooden structure rises 46 meters and displays multiple layers of curved roofs and decorative elements along the exterior.
The year 700 marks the founding of this temple during the early spread of Buddhism in Japan. The present tower came into being in 1440 through Ashikaga Yoshinori after damage in times of conflict.
The name Yasaka ties the structure to its surroundings and reflects its longstanding role in the neighborhood. Visitors today can view statues placed in the lower floors and see how the tradition shapes the daily life around the area.
The entrance lies in the Higashiyama ward and opens from 10 AM to 3 PM, with admission set at 400 yen. The site is small and can be explored quickly, though the steep stairs are not suitable for every visitor.
This tower is the only remaining building from the original temple compound and has survived wars and natural disasters. The wooden construction demonstrates the resilience of old Japanese building techniques across many centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
