By JIRO TSUTSUI/ Staff Writer
October 5, 2025 at 07:00 JST
Hokke Soji-in Todo pagoda of Enryakuji temple on Mount Hieizan in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture (Provided by Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association)
KYOTO--An exhibition showcasing Kyoto’s “hidden gems,” cultural sites that tourists often overlook, will open in late October.
It will feature 24 sites in and outside the city.
The Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association announced details on Sept. 3 of its “Special exhibition of Kyoto’s hidden cultural properties” that it is hosting with special cooperation from The Asahi Shimbun.
From Oct. 25 to Dec. 7, a total of 24 locations--13 in central Kyoto and 11 in northern Kyoto Prefecture--will be accessible to the public according to their own schedules, with all proceeds from admission fees supporting the preservation and restoration of the properties.
Enryakuji temple, a World Heritage site on Mount Hieizan in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, is taking part for the first time by opening the interior of its Hokke Soji-in Todo pagoda.
The pagoda, built by the temple’s founder Saicho (767-822), was destroyed during a siege by feudal lord Oda Nobunaga in 1571. It was rebuilt in 1980.
Daigoji temple in Kyoto’s Fushimi Ward will open its five-story pagoda, designated as a national treasure, for the first time. It is the oldest extant building in Kyoto Prefecture.
Daishoji temple in Kamigyo Ward, a former imperial nunnery, will also take part for the first time by showcasing its main hall and palace.
Admission fees are 1,000 yen ($6.8) for adults and 500 yen for junior high and high school students, in principle, but differ at some locations.
OTHER SITES ON DISPLAY
In Kyoto
Kosho-in nunnery
Donke-in convent
Kamigamojinja shrine
Reizei family’s residence
Shimogamojinja shrine
Chion-in temple’s Sanmon gate
Zuishin-in temple
Nishi Hongwanji temple’s Shoin study hall and Hiunkaku pavilion
Toji temple’s Kodo hall and Gojunoto pagoda
In Miyazu
Chionji temple
Kokushoji temple
In Maizuru
Kongo-in temple
Taneji temple
Matsunoodera temple
In Kyotango
Enjoji temple
In Fukuchiyama
Tenneiji temple
Kannonji temple
In Ayabe
Shorekiji temple
Ankokuji temple
In Ine
Urashimajinja shrine
Kyoto exhibition offers public rare glimpse of cultural artifacts
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Public offered rare look at Kyoto cultural properties in fall
July 28, 2023
Spring exhibition to reveal rarely shown cultural treasures
March 26, 2024
Kyoto exhibition offers rare access to city’s shrines, temples
April 29, 2025
Rare cultural treasures in Kyoto go on public view
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