Hokanji Temple

Nishiki market

Sweet Soy Sauce Rice Dumplings

Kyoto Ramen

Kyoto Vegan Ramen

INTRO* Welcome to Kyoto! Today let’s explore the famous and beautiful Higashiyama district! Let’s check out the famous Hokan-ji Temple, check out the traditional streets, get familiar with the culture, and see what Kyoto is all about. Join me on this beautiful adventure of Japan!

Let's head to the Kyoto Station to catch a bus to the Higashiyama district. The Tower in the distance is the famous Kyoto Tower weighing an astonishing 800 tons. Composed all from steel and at a height of 131 meters or 430 feet, it is the tallest structure in Kyoto. The Kyoto Tower stands on top of a 9-story building and was completed in 1964.

From Kyoto’s city center, you can either take a bus or a metro to the Higashiyama district which takes about half an hour. We decided to bus.

The Yasaka-dori street with the Hokan-ji Temple in the distance.

Along this street you can find many different restaurants and various shops.

Higashiyama district is one of the oldest and best preserved historic districts in Kyoto today. Located on the East side of Kyoto, you will find historic streets, traditional old houses, and beautiful historic temples and shrines.

In front is the Yasaka Pagoda or the Hokan-ji Temple. Note that is not the Yasaka Shrine. I will talk more about it later in the video.

In Higashiyama district often times you will see men tugging rickshaw or the 2-wheeled carts along the streets. Originating in the 19th century Asia, these human-powered vehicles have either been discouraged or outlawed in many countries due to the worker’s health concerns.

The Kongoji (Yasaka Kōshin-dō) Temple. It is dedicated to the Shōmen Kongō (青面金剛) aka the Koshin-san who is the guardian warrior and to the 3 wise monkeys representing a Japanese (фоук) folk faith known as the Koshin faith. In Japan, Monkeys are considered kind spirits that protect people and their homes from evil spirits. The 3 famous monkeys "not hearing, not seeing, not talking" are a part of this Kōshin faith. At this Kongoji Temple you will see many colored shaped spherical talismans hanging all around. They represent Kukurizaru or monkeys with their hands and feet tied to their backs symbolizing self-control and triumph over desires. If you sacrifice one of your desires by putting it inside one of these Kukurizaru, the Koshin will not only help you forget about that desire but also grant you a wish. This is because desires prevent wishes from coming alive hence the need to sacrifice it. In that moment, when you feel that your wish is near, you must put your hands together and recite the Buddhist sutra for the Kukurizaru and Kōshin-san to hear you and help you with it. The Buddhist sutra is as follows: On deiba yakisya banta banta kaka-kaka sowaka.

The Yasaka Pagoda, the Hokan-ji Temple, or the Tower of Yasaka which describe the same structure is located here in the Higashiyama district and it is the icon of the city. It is a beautiful 5 story Buddhist pagoda that was built in the 15th century and stands at 46 meters or 151 feet high. During its history, the pagoda was reconstructed due to leaning, it was then burned down by the enemies, and then reconstructed again to be later destroyed in fire. The pagoda you see standing today was rebuilt in the year of 1440 by the Shogun Yoshinori Ashikaga.

Interestingly enough Yasaka Pagoda is built around a wooden shaft running the entire height of pagoda. This shaft actually swings like a pendulum which helps the pagoda maintain balance during the earthquakes.

These are the Maneki-neko the Japanese figurine cats with their right paws raised up is said to bring good luck to the owner. They are often referred to as the good luck cats.

PREVIEW* to the next video of the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Hokanji Temple / 法観寺 八坂の塔

Yasaka Koshindo / 八坂庚申堂

Sannenzaka / 三年坂

Kiyomizuzaka / 清水坂

Ninenzaka / 二年坂

Sannenzaka / 三年坂

Hokanji Temple / 法観寺 八坂の塔

Yasaka Koshindo / 八坂庚申堂