Best Temples around Kyoto Spot List

Famous for the bell that angered Ieyasu

A Tendai sect temple with the magnificent natural monument, Yoryu no Matsu

One of Kyoto's most renowned temples, located on the side of Mt. Otowa in the Higishiyama Range. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Ono no Komachi concealed herself here amongst the plum blossoms

Two different windows overlooking a garden

A thatched hut that stands in lush greenery

Famous for its tea room, ”Hasso-no-seki”

A temple located in the holy mountain of Kurama in Kyoto. Minamoto no Yoshitsune is said to have trained here, and visitors can feel the vibrant energy of nature and the universe.

Blessed with knowledge by Monju

Fallen leaves on the road to the temple invite you to this high-status monzeki temple

The head temple of the Jodo sect, founded at the place where Honen Shonin passed away. The magnificent monastery was built under the wing of the Tokugawa family.

The head temple of the Shingon Sect's Omuro School. Holding a long association with the Imperial Household, the temple is also well known for its late-blooming cherry trees called Omuro-zakura.

The main training center for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism with its iconic five-story pagoda, the key landmark of Kyoto's scenery. The temple is known as ”Daishi's temple.”

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

The head temple of the Rinzai sect's Tofuku-ji School, which has Japan's largest monastery and oldest San-mon gate. It is known as one of Kyoto's best places to view autumn leaves.

A Zen temple of the Rinzai Sect of Buddhism, world famous for its traditional rock garden.

The roads are covered with colorful leaves in autumn

Tie your prayers under the branches of the willow trees

An ancient temple with a beautiful garden, connected to Murasaki Shibibu

Twin Dragons created during the Heisei period watch over Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple