Toji Temple: A Sightseeing Kyoto Shopping Wonderland

There are two periods you can visit Toji Temple just south of Kyoto Station.

1. When it`s crowded.

and

2. When it`s not crowded.

Pretty simple really.

So when should you go?

"When it`s not crowded of course!" I can hear you say.

Well wait a minute, let`s just examine your choice for a second.

Most visitors probably do go when it is relatively quiet. And why not?

• You don`t get jostled by hoards of people.
• Old women don`t try and take out your kidneys with a swift right elbow.
• It is easier to take photos of the temple`s buildings, including the 55 m (180 ft) high pagoda. (Not only was this Japanese pagoda last rebuilt in 1644 after being burned down several times due to lightning, it also beats out the pagoda in Kofukuji Temple, Nara, to be the tallest wooden tower/pagoda in Japan).

All good reasons but we haven`t asked the most important question of all:

Why does this temple, first founded in 796, get so crowded?

Well, on the 21st of each month a huge flea market known as Kobo-san is held on the grounds of Toji. Although not really the same as Japan festivals it none the less has an atmosphere to match.

The market gets its name and date from Kobo (Kukai) Daishi who died on March 21st 835AD. Kobo was given the role of administrator of the temple by Emperor Junna in 823. As far as Japanese traditions go, this is definitely one for the whole family.

If however, the 21st falls on the weekend, it can feel like rush hour in Tokyo with as many as 200,000 people visting the approximately 1200 stalls.

When you`re visiting Kyoto, the market is a must see.

From a tourists point of view there are alway an amazing array of Japanese goods for sale:

• used clothes including used kimono
• hand made jewlery
• food, food and more food
• tools
• Japanese arts and crafts
• earthenware
• glassware
• homewares
• statues and figurines
• plants including bonsai
• antiques
• and even wooden ear picks

It almost sounds like a flea market from anywhere in the world.

The biggest difference though is that almost all of it is uniquely Japanese, both in the goods for sale and in atmosphere.

That`s what makes it special.

The grounds of Toji Temple are actually very spacious so the market is huge.

If you find an item you like, unless your phone has GPS don`t plan on looking elsewhere and then coming back to the stall where you first saw it because you may never find it again.

While you are at it, don`t be afraid to do a little haggling with the stall owner to try and get a discount. You know what they say, "If at first you don`t succeed..."

The Toji Temple flea market starts about 5 am to about 4 pm, but naturally all of the good stuff usually goes early, so it`s best not to get there too late.

For more information on Toji Temple visit the official website