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Kyoto Wayfinder

KW / 04 · Place histories · field index

Read Kyoto through its ground.

A field index of temple slopes, city gates, springs and gardens, with the years and details that help each place make sense.

12 / PLACE HISTORIES

Eastern Kyoto rises from the basin toward Otowa Mountain
Kyoto basinHigashiyama · 東山Otowa-san · 音羽山
FIELD NOTE / 01東山 · 音羽山 / HIGASHIYAMA
Timber supports beneath the Kiyomizu stage
Beneath the stage · timber and slope · Wikimedia Commons · Martin Falbisoner

TERRAIN & BUILDING / KIYOMIZU-DERA

Kiyomizu-dera: A Stage Above the City

A temple shaped by pilgrimage, timber craft and the changing view of Kyoto.

778

Founded on Mt. Otowa

1633

Present stage rebuilt

1994

Ancient Kyoto inscribed

READ IT ON THE WAY THROUGH HIGASHIYAMA

Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka / Ninenzaka → Yasaka Pagoda → Gion

Read the Kiyomizu field note

02 / PLACE INDEX

東山

The eastern ridge

Canal paths, temple slopes and the old road to the lake.

  1. 01
    南禅寺Founded in 1291 on the site of an imperial villa.

    From imperial villa to Zen center · Rinzai Zen temple

  2. 02
    慈照寺 銀閣The Higashiyama villa was developed from 1482; the pavilion was never silver-plated.

    A quiet culture after a time of war · Zen temple and garden

03 / PLACE INDEX

北山・洛西

North hills and the western river

A reading line from mountain shrines to the Hozu corridor.

  1. 01
    貴船神社An ancient water shrine; written records place it in the early Heian period.

    Water as a living presence · Shinto shrine

  2. 02
    魚山 三千院門跡The temple tradition traces back to the Heian period; it settled in Ohara in the late nineteenth century.

    A place shaped by retreat · Tendai Buddhist monzeki temple

  3. 03
    鹿苑寺 金閣The villa was completed in 1397; the present pavilion was rebuilt after fire.

    A villa turned into a temple · Zen temple and garden

  4. 04
    嵐山A courtly pleasure landscape by the Heian period.

    A landscape with a long audience · Historic cultural landscape

  5. 05
    天龍寺Founded in 1339 under Ashikaga Takauji.

    A memorial temple with a landscape mind · Rinzai Zen temple

04 / PLACE INDEX

洛中・洛南

The old city and its southern gate

Palaces, castle rooms, shrine paths and the southern approach.

  1. 01
    元離宮二条城Built from 1601; Ninomaru Palace was completed in 1626.

    A residence designed to be read · Castle and palace complex

  2. 02
    京都御所The imperial court moved to Kyoto in 794; the present complex reflects repeated rebuilding.

    Continuity through rebuilding · Imperial palace and historic garden

  3. 03
    伏見稲荷大社Tradition dates the shrine's foundation to 711.

    A shrine that extends up the mountain · Shinto shrine

  4. 04
    教王護国寺（東寺）Founded in the early Heian period; Kukai received the temple in 823.

    The temple as a teaching system · Shingon Buddhist temple