Kyoto 2017: Tofukuji Temple (東福寺)

When I left Fushimi Inari Shrine I walked north to Tofukuji Temple. Founded in 1236, Tofukuji is a Zen temple and many of its buildings date back to the 1300s. Tofukuji’s most notable attraction is the Tsutenkyo Bridge that spans a valley full of maple trees. During autumn this is a very popular spot due to all the trees leaves forming an ocean of reds, oranges, and yellows. I was visiting at the wrong time of year to be seeing that, but the view from the bridge was still pretty scenic. On the other side of the bridge there is also a rock garden, as well as a mausoleum for the temple’s first high priest.