Kôryûji is a temple in western Kyoto on the way to Arashiyama and Tenryuji. The temple was founded in the 7th century and is rumored to be the oldest temple in the Kyoto area, but most of the buildings date back to the 17th century. The temple is most noted for its statues, many dating back to the temple's foundation. Of all the statues inside, and there are a lot, the most noted are two wooden statues of the Bodhisattva Miroku. Miroku, also referred to as the future Buddha, is a Bodhisattva who is depicted in a seated position in a manner of contemplation. And that is his job. He thinks. Specifically though, he is trying to figure out how to make every living being on earth enlightened so that we all may release ourselves from the burden of reincarnation and can be at peace. When he does figure this out, he will become the new Buddha. Because of this, he is the Future Buddha in the Buddha triad of past, present, and future. Specifically, the statue of Miroku called Hokan-Miroku, is a very important statue because it was the first item recognized by the Japanese government as a National Treasure. All of that being said, there are more than just a few statues at Kôryûji and they all occupy significant and beautiful spots in the vast history of Japanese art.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 10.

Kôryûji is not a temple that many people get around to. Sure it doesn't have many of the draws of later and grander temples in Japan, but none the less this is one of the more important and beautiful temples in the Kyoto area. The landscape is small and secluded, so on a purely visual basis the temple is not that interesting, but if you're willing to spend the money to go inside, I suspect that you will enjoy the temple as much as I do. Photographs are forbidden inside the statue hall, so sadly you'll have to find pictures of the statues yourself, but it is such a beautiful place and I do look forward to going back. The smell of incense and ancient wood is just too perfect to be imagined, it must be experienced.

Ceremony first thing in the morning on New Years.