Best 15 Temples and Shrines to Visit in Kyoto - 2024
Best 15 Temples and Shrines to Visit in Kyoto - 2024
2024/07/29
shrine
temple
kyoto
japaneseculture
Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples are scattered throughout Japan. But what sets them apart? Shrines are constructed to serve the Shinto religious tradition and are known for having a torii gate at the entrance. Temples, conversely, are built to serve the Buddhist religious tradition and are recognized by a Sanmon gate at the entrance. We recommend visiting the 15 best temples and shrines in Kyoto in 2014.
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Kiyoimzudera Temple
Kiyoimzudera Temple (清水寺, literally "Pure Water Temple") is one of Japan's most celebrated temples.
In 780, it was established at the location of the Ottawa Waterfall in the wooded hills east of Kyoto.
Initially connected to the Hosso sect, which is among the oldest schools of Japanese Buddhism, it established its own Kita Hosso sect in 1965.
The temple was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.
Kiyomizudera Temple is famous for its wooden stage that extends from its main hall, standing 13 meters above the hillside.
The stage affords stunning views of the numerous cherry and maple trees below, which explode with color in spring and fall, and the city of Kyoto in the distance.
Address
1-294, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 605-0862, Japan
Ginkakuji (銀閣寺), also known as the Silver Pavilion, is a Zen temple located in the eastern mountains of Kyoto (Higashiyama).
In 1482, shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa constructed his retirement villa on the grounds of the present-day temple, taking inspiration from Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), which was his grandfather's retirement villa situated at the foot of Kyoto's northern mountains (Kitayama).
Today, Ginkakuji comprises the Silver Pavilion, several other temple buildings, a stunning moss garden, and a distinctive dry sand garden.
Visitors can enjoy the temple by following a circular route around its grounds, allowing them to take in the beauty of the gardens and buildings.
Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社, Yasaka Jinja), also identified as Gion Shrine, is among Kyoto's most famous shrines.
The shrine, founded over 1350 years ago, is situated between the well-known Gion and Higashiyama districts
Every July, Yasaka Shrine holds its annual summer festival known as Gion Matsuri, which is well-known.
The Gion Matsuri, which dates back over a thousand years, is arguably the most famous festival in the country.
During the cherry blossom season around early April, the shrine becomes busy because Maruyama Park, which is nearby, is one of the most popular cherry blossom spots in Kyoto.
Address
625, Giommachi Kitagawa, Kyoto Shi Higashiyama Ku, Kyoto
Immediately after the capital moved to Kyoto during the Heian Period, Toji Temple (東寺, Toji), or 'East Temple', was established.
At the southern entrance of the city, the large temple and its sister temple, Saiji ("West Temple"), were the guardians of the capital.
Toji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism, assumed the position of the head priest of Toji approximately thirty years after the temple was constructed.
As a result, the temple became one of the most significant Shingon temples, alongside the sect's headquarters on Mount Koya.
[Chart A]
[Adult] 800 yen
[High school students] 700 yen
[Jonior high school students] 500 yen
[Elementary school children] 500 yen
The admission varies depending on the daily schedule found on the website.
Nijo Castle (二条城, Nijj) was constructed in 1603 as the residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo Period (1603-1867).
The palace buildings of the castle were finished by his grandson Iemitsu twenty-three years later and a five-story castle keep was added to further expand it.
In 1994, the castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marking its status as one of the best-surviving examples of castle palace architecture from Japan's feudal era.
Tofukuji (東福寺, Tfukuji) is a large Zen temple in southern Kyoto, which is particularly famous for its spectacular autumn colors.
The temple was established by the Fujiwara clan's stronghold in 1236.
The name was created by combining the names of two famous temples in Nara that were associated with Fujiwara, Todaiji Temple and Kofukuji Temple.
In autumn, people come from all over Japan to see Tofukuji's autumn colors. The most popular view is on the Tsutenkyo Bridge, which spans a valley of lush maple trees.
Address
15-778 Honmachi Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Opening hours
[April to October ]9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
[November to early December] 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
[early December to March] 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Admission
[Tsutenkyo Bridge and Kaisando Hall]
[Adult] 600 yen
[Children] 300 yen
[Hojo and gardens]
[Adult] 500 yen
[Children] 300 yen
[everything]
[Adult] 1000 yen
[Children] 500 yen
Daitokuji Temple (大徳寺) is a large walled temple complex in northern Kyoto, and it is the head temple of the Rinzai sect's Daitokuji school of Japanese Zen Buddhism.
The complex consists of nearly two dozen subtemples and is one of the best places in Japan to see a wide variety of Zen gardens and to experience Zen culture and architecture.
During the Onin War (1467-1477), Daitokuji, like most of Kyoto, was severely damaged and founded in 1319.
After its reconstruction, the temple became a center for tea ceremonies and became associated with tea master Sen no Rikyu, as well as the warlords Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, both of whom were fond practitioners of tea ceremonies.
Address
54-1 Shino Daitokuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto
Opening hours
[March to November] 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
[December to February] 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Admission
:[Adults] 500 yen
[Children] 300 yen (elementary school students and above, junior high school students and under)
[Matcha] 300 yen
A Heian-Jingu shrine was constructed in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the establishment of Heian Kyo (Kyoto).
The first and last Emperors who ruled Kyoto, Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei, are the subjects of this place.
The buildings of the shrine are a partial copy of the Imperial Palace of the Heian Period (794-1185).
Vermillion-lacquered Otenmon Gate and Daigoku-den (main hall) are truly stunning.
The gardens were designed during the Meiji period and have a diverse collection of flowers that change with the seasons.
Address
97 Nishi Ten-no-cho, Okazaki Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
Opening hours
[Mar 15 to Sep. 30] 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m
[Oct] 6:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m.
6:00 - 17:30 (Feb. 15 to Mar. 14)
6:00 - 12:00 on Oct. 22
(Garden hours differ from the hours of the main area)
Kibune is a charming town nestled in a verdant valley located in the northern mountains of Kyoto City.
The town is centered around Kifune Shrine, which has an interesting legend associated with it.
The story goes that a goddess traveled in a boat from Osaka all the way up the river into the mountains north of Kyoto and her journey came to an end at the site where Kifune Shrine was built.
Daigoji Temple (醍醐寺) is a significant temple of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism and is recognized as a designated world heritage site.
The temple complex is located on an entire mountainside in southeast central Kyoto and is a designated world heritage site.
The primary temple grounds are situated at the foot of the mountain and are linked to several more temple buildings around the summit via a hiking trail.
Address
22 Daigo higashi ojicho, Fushimi Ward,Kyoto
Opening hours
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Admission
[Regular season]1000 yen (Sanboin and Shimo Daigo)500 yen (Sanboin only)500 yen (Reihokan Museum)
Admission to the Reihokan Garden is free.
[Spring season ](March 20 to early May)1500 yen (Sanboin, Shimo Daigo and Reihokan Garden)500 yen (Sanboin only)500 yen (Reihokan Museum)
Method of payment
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