Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

Beloved Buddha artifacts inside the school of Heijo Palace

The head temple of the Rinzai sect, known as the highest-ranked Zen temple in Japan.

An ancient temple known as an exemplary viewing spot for autumn leaves since the Heian period.

Autumn colors light up the moss garden in this temple's garden of enlightenment

A temple that has long protected Arima Onsen

A spiritual area surrounding Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum

One of the last temples to prohibit entry to women

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

This Buddhist school was established by the Chinese monk Jianzhen

A temple of the Nichiren sect on Mt. Ogura in Sagano. It is well-known for ”Hyakunin Isshu” (a collection of 100 poems by 100 different poets). In autumn, the nearby mountains awash with brilliant red leaves.

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

An elegant temple with a Japanese rock garden and wonderful autumn foliage

One of the Monzeki temples of the Tendai sect that enshrines the National Treasure Amida Sanzon (Amida Triad) statue in eternal tranquility.

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.

The historic, symbolic spot of Namba. Always popular with tourists

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

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.

Famous for its early blossoming cherry trees, which signify the coming of spring