Photo/Illutration The first-floor interior of Toji temple’s five-story pagoda in Kyoto’s Minami Ward on April 26 (Shintaro Kiko)

KYOTO—Sixteen shrines and temples here are now granting access to their private statues and architecture for a spring exhibition organized by the Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association with assistance from The Asahi Shimbun.

The “Special exhibition of Kyoto’s hidden cultural properties” runs through May 11 and showcases pieces usually off-limits to the public across Kyoto and the city of Yawata south of the prefectural capital.

Yawata’s two participating locations are Iwashimizu Hachimangu shrine and Shokado Garden and Art Museum.

Back in Kyoto’s Minami Ward, visitors can step into the first floor of a five-story pagoda with national treasure status at Toji temple.

The Association of Kyoto Traditional Culture Foundation is participating for the first time and is exhibiting costumes and other items related to the Aoi Festival, one of the three major festivals in Kyoto.

A preview was held on April 25 at a hall in Koshoin temple in the city’s Kamigyo Ward.

The exhibit features a reproduction of the procession with the “Saio-dai,” the symbolic heroine of the Aoi Festival, and her retainers.

The life-sized statues are garbed in ornate costumes actually used in the procession.

Farther south of both wards is the centerpiece of the event—six temples and shrines in Fushimi Ward. This includes two that have kept their historical artifacts off-limits until now.

Kitamukizan Fudo-in temple is one of the two and is associated with Emperor Emeritus Toba (1103-1156). On display is a statue of the Buddhist deity Fudo Myoo that is a designated important cultural property.

The other is Enmyo-in temple that is home to a classical painting on a cedar door that depicts a rooster. The work is widely attributed to Ito Jakuchu (1716-1800) and will be accessible from May 1.

Kamigamojinja shrine and the nearby Umetsuji family residence are also welcoming visitors, as is Shimogamojinja shrine.

Konkai Komyoji temple’s main gate along with Chion-in temple’s Ohojo and Kohojo study halls are open, as well. Zuishin-in temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, Daiunji temple, Anrakujuin temple and Chokenji temple round out the list.

In principle, the public viewing period is from April 26 to May 11, but it does vary at some locations.

Admission is generally 1,000 yen ($7) for adults and 500 yen for junior high and high school students at each site, though some sites charge different amounts. Revenue from the exhibition will be used to repair and preserve cultural properties.

For more information, visit the website of the Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association (https://www.kobunka.com/map/).

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