Tofukuji Temple is one of Japan's oldest and largest temples located in Kyoto.

This Buddhist temple is one of the five major temples in Kyoto and an excellent example of the medieval Zen temple architecture.

Sanmon, which is the temple's main gate, is regarded as a national treasure of Japan. It is also the oldest Zen gate in the country.

The abbot's garden was also rebuilt in recent years.

On the way to the Kaishan Hall, there are three bridges across the valley, which is famous for its autumn maple leaves. The temple is indeed famous in Kyoto as a spot for viewing autumn foliage. Many tourists visit in autumn, but the greenery of the maples is also beautiful, making it a worthwhile spot throughout the year.

Getting There: From Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line or Keihan Line to Tofukuji Station. It's a 10-minute walk from there. Alternatively, the temple is a ten minute walk from Tofukuji bus stop (15 minutes, 230 yen from Kyoto Station by Kyoto City Bus 208).

Admission Fee: is 1,000 Yen per person for everything.

Opening Hours: 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Importance Rating: 7 - definitely worth a visit, especially in Autumn.

Busyness Rating: 4 - it's a bit of a hidden gem and is a great contrast to Fushimi Inari which gets very busy indeed.

Top Tips: Tofukuji holds Zen meditation sessions in Japanese about four times a month. Find out more at the temple; you'll probably need a Japanese speaker to help you inquire.

If you're here in Autumn it's great for the foliage.

During the autumn colour season (November 11 to December 3), the admission fee for the Tsutenkyo Bridge and Kaisando Hall increases to 1000 yen and the combination ticket is unavailable.

This temple is a good option to include with a visit to Fushimi Inari.