About the Kodaiji Kangetsudai Moon-Viewing Pavilion
The Kodaiji Kangetsudai Moon-Viewing Pavilion (高台寺観月台) is a small Momoyama-period (1573 to 1614) building at Kodaiji in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, designated an Important Cultural Property on August 29, 1953. It has a cypress-bark roof with cusped karahafu gables on three sides (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency for Cultural Affairs records it as one bay square, single-storey, with cusped karahafu gables on three sides and a cypress-bark roof. It is owned by Kodaiji, the temple founded in 1606 by Kita no Mandokoro (Nene) for Toyotomi Hideyoshi, which has five buildings designated Important Cultural Properties (Kodaiji, Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Designated
The Kodaiji Kangetsudai was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1953. Kodaiji lists it with the Otamaya and Kaisando among its designated buildings.
What to Look For
The Kodaiji Kangetsudai is a tiny building one bay square, with cusped karahafu gables on three sides under a cypress-bark roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
As its name says, it was built for viewing the moon, and the curves of its three gables give the small building an elegant air.
Visiting the Kodaiji Kangetsudai Moon-Viewing Pavilion
Kodaiji is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (last entry 5:00 p.m.). Admission is 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for junior and senior high school students, and a combined discount ticket with Entokuin is 1,200 yen. Hours are extended during special evening openings such as in autumn (Kodaiji).
From the Higashiyama Yasui city bus stop it is a 7-minute walk east, or about 10 minutes from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan line (Kodaiji).
- 📍 Plan Your Visit to Kyoto
- Find tours, activities & transport passes near Kodaiji Kangetsudai Moon-Viewing Pavilion
- [ Kinkakuji Fushimi Inari & Kimono Rental ]
Q&A
- When was the Kodaiji Kangetsudai built?
- In the Momoyama period (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- What form does the Kodaiji Kangetsudai take?
- One bay square, with karahafu gables on three sides and a cypress-bark roof (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- When was the Kodaiji Kangetsudai designated?
- On August 29, 1953.
- What other Important Cultural Properties are at Kodaiji?
- The Otamaya, Kaisando, front gate, and Karakasa-tei and Shigure-tei (Kodaiji, Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- Can you visit the Kodaiji Kangetsudai Moon-Viewing Pavilion?
- Kodaiji is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; adult admission is 800 yen (Kodaiji).
Basic Information
| Name | Kodaiji Kangetsudai Moon-Viewing Pavilion (高台寺観月台) |
|---|---|
| Location | Shimogawara-cho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture |
| Designation | Important Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Designated 1953/8/29 (Showa 28) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | One bay square, single-storey, with cusped karahafu gables on three sides and a cypress-bark roof |
| Owner | Kodaiji |
| Public Access | Open (admission charged) |
References
- Kodaiji Kangetsudai Moon-Viewing Pavilion (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/102/1789
- History (Kodaiji)
- https://www.kodaiji.com/rekishi.html
- Visiting (Kodaiji)
- https://www.kodaiji.com/haikan.html
Last verified: 2026.10.07
