In this gallery, we look at some of the most famous pagodas in Japan, many of which are classified as National Treasures. Pagodas are tall, multi-storied structures which traditionally featured as part of Buddhist temple complexes. The tallest wooden example is the 55-metre or 179-foot tall pagoda at To-ji in Kyoto which has five stories and was first built in the 9th century CE. Not only striking architectural features, pagodas were designed to house important Buddhist relics as well as celebrated related sculptures and paintings. Many of the pagodas are built entirely of wood sometimes without the use of nails and their designs have proved remarkably resistant to earthquakes thanks to their internal inter-locking structures.
Koyasu Pagoda, Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera, otherwise known as the ‘Temple of the Pure Water Spring’, is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 778 CE, the Koyasu pagoda was built in the early 17th century CE.
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