Best Temples around Kyoto Spot List

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.

Two different windows overlooking a garden

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.

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

A famous location for autumn leaves, connected to Kukai (Kobo-daishi)

The object of worship here is Amida Nyorai and the statue of Prince Shotoku in the main hall is an important cultural property

Tie your prayers under the branches of the willow trees

A temple founded in Higashiyama by Hideyoshi Toyotomi's wife, Nene, to mourn his passing and pray for his soul. The nighttime illuminations in spring, summer and fall are beautiful to see.

Famous for the bell that angered Ieyasu

Featuring a garden created by Motonobu Kano

Make your wishes at Nariai-ji Temple

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

The mountain villa of Minamoto no Toru, the model for Hikaru Genji

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.

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 its beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

The scattered fallen leaves in autumn are beautiful

Known by locals as “Kurodani-san”

Famous for its connection to Honen and it’s beauty in autumn

Established by Emperor Shirakawa during the Heian Period, the temple's name derives from the ingo (posthumous Buddhist name) of Yoshiakira Ashikaga, the second shogun of the Muromachi bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun). While exploring the precinct, you'll find the graves of Yoshiakira and Masatsura Kusunoki, the busho (military commander) of Nancho (Southern Court) located next to each other. Masatsura was much respected by Yoshiakira even though he was an enemy general. During autumn, the maple leaves turn a striking red (visitors are not allowed to bring in a tripod stand or a unipod).