Kyoto, Yasaka Pagoda

With its height of 49 meters, the Yasaka Pagoda is visible from many viewpoints across the Higashiyama district. One of the most important landmarks from Kyoto, this five-story pagoda once belonged to the Hokanji Temple, established by Prince Shotoku at the end of the 6th century.

After being destroyed and rebuilt several times during its long history, the pagoda we see today dates from 1440, when it was rebuilt by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori. Designated as an important cultural property, the Yasaka Pagoda is, together with the five-story pagoda from the Shitennoji Temple from Osaka, amongst the very few Japanese pagodas where the visitors are allowed inside...