Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

A temple with strings of ”monkey charms”

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

A massive triple gate welcomes you to the head temple for the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism

The roads are covered with colorful leaves in autumn

Occasionally open seasonally for cherry blossom, azalea, and fall leaves viewing

Known for “the evening bell of Mii-dera”, one of the Eight Views of Omi

Stroll along the heart-shaped pond in the garden

An ancient temple supported by common people

The first of 33 temples on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Seiganto-ji is an ever-popular destination for worshipers

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.

Shitenno-ji Temple is the oldest state-built Buddhist temple in Japan, established in 593 by Prince Shotoku. The architectural structures seen today are faithful reproductions of the temple's original appearance.

Indulge in tea while gazing at the garden

A Zen temple of the Rinzai School built in the scenic area of Arashimaya in Kyoto. It was built by Takauji Ashikaga in memory of the recently deceased Emperor Go-Daigo.

Several hundred structures are scattered across Mt. Hiei

Check out the ”Sento Kuyo” ceremony on summer nights

The nation’s head Koyasan Shingon-shu temple

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

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

Quietly praying to the rakan statues on the hillsides

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.