KYOTO–The public will be offered rare access to temples, shrines and Buddhist statues normally closed off in the ancient capital in an exhibition to be held in two phases this spring.
The Kyoto Heritage Preservation Association announced the outline of the “special exhibition of Kyoto’s hidden cultural properties” on Jan. 20.
The first phase will be held from March 1 to April 12 at five locations primarily within Kyoto.
In the first phase, Kenninji temple in Higashiyama Ward will open its Seiran-in sub-temple for the first time. The temple will showcase its recently completed dry landscape garden and the white dragon painting on the ceiling.
The other four venues are the main gate of Konkai-Komyoji temple in Sakyo Ward; Sainenji temple in Shimogyo Ward; Byodoji temple in Shimogyo Ward; and Iwashimizu Hachimangu shrine in Yawata, Kyoto Prefecture.
Details for the second phase, scheduled around the Golden Week holiday period in late April to early May, will be announced in February.
The exhibition will be held with the special support of The Asahi Shimbun, and admission fees will be used for the preservation and the repair of cultural properties.
Admission is 1,000 yen ($6.40) for adults and 500 yen for junior high and senior high school students per location. Reservations are not required. The viewing period varies by location.
Details are available on the association’s website (https://www.kobunka.com/).
AloJapan.com