Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

Several hundred structures are scattered across Mt. Hiei

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

Ono no Komachi concealed herself here amongst the plum blossoms

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.

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 its beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

A school that embodies the dreams of Buddhist teacher Kobo Daishi

Featuring a garden created by Motonobu Kano

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

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

The Osawa-no-ike Pond is famous for its cherry blossoms and moon-viewing pavilion

Nara's symbol, the world's largest bronze statue of Rushana Daibutsu is seated in the Great Buddha Hall located in the vast grounds. The temple has been designated as a World Heritage site.

A large temple in Nara featuring many structures that illustrate the culture from the Tempyo Period. It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This imposing temple serves as a center for Shugendo asceticism

Tadao Ando designed this temple's main hall

A temple associated with Heian-era poet Ariwara no Narihara

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

The head temple of the Myoshin-ji Temple school of the Rinzai sect. It is Japan's largest Zen temple, with 46 sub-temples.

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.

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.