Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

Known by locals as “Kurodani-san”

Stroll along the heart-shaped pond in the garden

This ancient temple was erected by Empress Komyo

Famous for the bell that angered Ieyasu

Check out the ”Sento Kuyo” ceremony on summer nights

Quietly praying to the rakan statues on the hillsides

Where the emperors and nobles enjoyed themselves

A spiritual area surrounding Kobo Daishi’s mausoleum

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.

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

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

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 vault of many national cultural artifacts from the Nara period

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).

Be healed by the wabi-sabi of this Muromachi-period elegant garden that transcends space and time

A tea ceremony sanctuary that started as a gathering of artists

Famous for ”The Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans”

The orderly lineup of 1001 thousand-armed Kannon is superb

See “Thunder of the Dragon” during special viewings

With ancient living and meditation quarters