Kyoto

Jan 13, 2015 - 1 min read

Snow at Tofukuji in Kyoto

Stark beauty so different from the colors of autumn

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Temple roof tops against a dull sky

Gracefully leaning pines still bearing a little snow

Crows on the roof ridge

The pond was glazed with ice which held a few lumps of snow here and there

Dead lotus stems in the pond

The thin covering of snow on the stone bridge was untouched

A little snow still rested in the hollows between the roof tiles

A gargoyle with a damaged face on a roof apex

Different levels of roof

Temple building rising above evergreen trees

One of the covered bridges that overlook the maple valley

The maple trees are bare

So different from autumn's blaze of glorious color!

A lone figure walking through the covered bridge

Side view of one of the covered bridges

Crows flapping overhead

Notice

Jorakuan Guest Hall (Fumon-in) and Tojiryo (Shoin), next to Kaisando Hall, are undergoing preservation/repair work until October 2025.

Latest on Tofukuji Temple

This temple is probably most famous for its incredible maple valley in autumn, but when I visited in winter after a snowfall, I found a totally different ambience. It was almost empty of human life, but crows flapped overhead and cawed from the roof tiles. Snow blanketed the covered bridges at either end of the maple valley, and the trunks and branches of the bare trees contrasted starkly with the snow on the ground. Perhaps it was the crows, but it reminded me of the feeling I got reading Akutagawa's 'Rashomon' ... dark and vaguely gothic. I loved it!

More info

Find out more about Tofukuji Temple.

Was this article helpful?

Help us improve the site

Give Feedback

Cathy Cawood

By Cathy Cawood

Community writer

Following Follow

Thank you for your support!

Your feedback has been sent.