Treasures of Kyoto: Discover Kyoto's Temples

See the locations on Kyoto Temples Google Map

There are more than 1600 temples in Kyoto - there is a big chance to stumble into one! But probably you are looking fore some help with the selection of the ones you want to visit. Let's go ahead!

A Selection of Temples in Kyoto

Daitoku-ji 大徳寺: Only one of several temples within the walls of this complex of Zen temples and subtemples. For example: Koto-in, Zuiho-in, Daisen-in and Obai-in.

Picture by Eric Salard

Moss covering the ground, maple trees, bamboo – there are many shades of green in the grounds of Koto-in 高桐院. The temple was built by Tadaoki Hosokawa in 1601. He is buried in the west side of the garden alongside his wife Gracia. Their graves are marked by a famous pair of stone lanterns.

Picture by Kimon Berlin
Koto-in

Picture by Chris Gladis
Zuiho-in

Picture by Katie
Daisen-in

Ginkaku-ji 銀閣寺: Ginkaku-ji Temple (“The Silver Pavilion”) can be very crowded, if you want to avoid the crowds go before 10am or after 4pm. if you climb the trail at the back of the garden you arrive at a viewpoint: see the entire temple compound and the city. Read about Ginshaden ("sea of silver sand") and Kogetsudai ("moon-viewing platform").

Picture by Dai Fujihara

Picture by Fredrik Rubensson

Picture by Yuichi Shiraishi

Picture by Holly Harvey

Honen-in temple 法然院: The grounds of this secluded temple are worth a visit all year round. The main hall is only open from 1-17 April (when the camellias are in bloom) and 1-7 November (when the maples turn red). Inside you find a Amida Buddha figure.

Picture by Andrea
Enter the moss covered gate

Picture by Jacques Beaulieu
Walk between two sand mounds that are said to purify the visitor

Picture by Jaime Pérez
a moss covered path

Picture by Luzux

Kinkaku-ji: See also map with souvenir shops around Kinkaku-ji.

Picture by marhas

Picture by Yevgen Pogoryelov

Picture by marhas

Picture by jp30
Kinkaku-ji

Picture by marhas

Nanzen-ji temple 南禅寺:
"A sprawling Zen paradise surrounded by lush green hills", Inside Kyoto comments. The main complex is surrounded by small subtemples: Konchi-in, Nanzen-in and Tenju-an. But there is more: an often overlooked waterfall grotto about 200 meters up in the hills behind the temple. To get there walk under the brick aquaduct, take a hard left and follow the little stream. Steps lead up to Oku-no-in. Look above the waterfall and you’ll find a small grotto hidden in a giant boulder with Buddhist images. Read more on art-and-archaeology.com.

Picture by Annie Guilloret

Picture by t-mizo
San-Mon - the main gate of Nanzen-ji

Picture ny Naoko Oikawa

Picture by John Weiss
The aqueduct is part of the Lake Biwa Canal constructed in 1890 during the Meiji Period. It brings water from Lake Biwa to a water processing plant near Nanzen-ji

Picture by Alejandro
Konchi-in 金地院

Picture by thaths
Trees and rocks at Konchi-in

Picture by hiroaki
Nanzen-in garden

Picture by Patrick Vierthaler
Pond inside Tenju-an

Picture by Christian Kaden
Oku-no-in temple and graveyard

Nanzen-ji temple is close to the Philosopher's Path - a good combination for one day in Kyoto.

Rokkaku-do 六角堂: Also: Choboji Temple 頂法寺. This temple is famous as the birthplace of ikebana flower arrangement. The name Rokkaku ("six angles") refers to the hexagonal shape of the Hondo, the main hall. According to the legend Prince Shotoku bathed in a small pond and was told in a dream to found a temple here. That happened in 587. In the 15th century, the 12th abbot of the temple, Sankei Ikenobo, created a method of flower arrangement that came to be known as ikebana. His flowers were an offering to Kannon, the goddess of mercy.

Picture by marhas
Hondo of Rokkaku-do

Picture by marhas
Reconstruction of the pond, where Prince Shotoku held his bath

Picture by marhas

Tofuku-ji temple: "We love the spacious grounds and fantastic subtemples at this walled in world of Zen in Southeast Kyoto", notes Inside Kyoto. Tofukui-ji is one of Kyoto’s most famous maple leaf viewing spots. Also Hojo Garden is worth a visit.

Picture by Chi King

Picture by Yusuke Umezawa
Red - the colour of maple in November

Picture by Christian Kaden
Hojo garden

A Selection of Temples a bit outside of Kyoto

Fushimi Inari-Taisha 伏見稲荷大社: Fushimi Inari Taisha is famous for its many vermilion (redish-orange) torii, there are over 10000, donated by people all over Japan. The shrine was established in 711 and is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, Inari. His messenger is a fox.

Picture by jpellgen

Kajū-ji: This temple was built in the third year of the Shotai era (900 AD) by Emperor Daigo in honour of his mother, Fujiwara no Taneko. For generations members of the Imperial entered the Buddhist priesthood here. The temple garden is at its best in summer when the lotuses bloom in Himuro Pond.