Jakub Hałun / CC BY 4.0

Tō-ji ('East Temple'), a UNESCO World Heritage temple in southern Kyoto, is crowned by Japan's tallest wooden structure — a 55-metre five-storey pagoda — and has been the headquarters of Shingon (esoteric) Buddhism since 796. On the 21st of each month its grounds fill with the beloved Kōbō-san flea market, hundreds of antique, craft and food stalls.

Best season

Year-round; december (shimai kobo) is the most spectacular

Crowd level

Popular

Rating

4.5· 19,553 reviews

Opening hours

Monthly on the 21st of each month: approximately 5:00 AM – 4:30 PM (December Shimai Kobo runs until around sunset)

Usual hours — confirm with the official site for holidays + seasonal closures.

Nearest station

TŌJI STATION · 8 min walk

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