Tō-ji is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, founded in 796 and later associated with Kūkai, the founder of Shingon Buddhism. It is one of Kyoto’s most important temple complexes and is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is best known for its 55-meter five-story pagoda, a landmark of the city, and for the Kondō, Kodo, Yakushidō, and other historic structures. Its collections and rituals reflect its role as a major center of esoteric Buddhism, and the site remains important on pilgrimage and temple routes in Kyoto.