Yasaka Pagoda, Kyoto

Source: website of Let's Travel Around Japan! http://www.travel-around-japan.com/k62-16-yasaka-pagoda.html
Yasaka Pagoda is a five-story pagoda located to the west of Ninen-zaka and San'nen-zaka streets.  This pagoda is in Hokanji temple, and there are only this pagoda and a few buildings in the narrow precincts. So "Yasaka Pagoda" is usually the popular name of the temple. The pagoda is 49 meters high, and is the third highest wooden building in Kyoto after Toji and Kofukuji. It is the landmark around this area.  It is said that this pagoda was built in 592 by Shotoku-taishi, a prince in that period. The historical fact is not sure, but it is sure that the temple had existed before the transfer of the national capital to Kyoto in 794  This pagoda had been destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times. Current pagoda was rebuilt in 1440 by Yoshinori Ashikaga, the 6th Shogun of Muromachi government.  It is designated as an important cultural property. There are some Buddha statues in the first floor. This pagoda is sometimes opened to the public, at that time, we can go up to the second floor and have a view of the city of Kyoto through the windows.