Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

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

Make your wishes at Nariai-ji Temple

Where the successful Hideyoshi Toyotomi worshipped the three-faced Daikokuten

One of the last temples to prohibit entry to women

Tadao Ando designed this temple's main hall

Flowers blossom throughout the seasons at this temple, also known as “The Flower Temple”

Stroll along the heart-shaped pond in the garden

Famous for the bell that angered Ieyasu

Known by locals as “Kurodani-san”

Spend your time comfortably in the visitor's lodging at a first-class ryokan

Indulge in tea while gazing at the garden

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).

A vault of many national cultural artifacts from the Nara period

Legend has it that the temple buildings were built by Emperor Shomu. In addition to the exquisite Kamakura-Period-style Romon Gate (National Treasure) facing the old road, there is a Kamakura-Period-style thirteen-story pagoda (Important Cultural Property) towering at the center of the temple grounds. The temple is also famous for its cosmos flowers.

A temple with a living, breathing aesthetic sense of the tea ceremony

The Western Paradise of the Buddha Amida’s dazzling dream, a gold space that reflects upon a pond

See “Thunder of the Dragon” during special viewings

A three-tiered pagoda and world heritage site, 1200 years old

The head temple of the Shinshu Otani sect of Buddhism is located within walking distance from Kyoto Station. The local residents refer to it affectionately as ”Ohigashi-san.”

One of Japan's famous ancient temples, quietly nestled in Ikaruga