Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

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

The main training center for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism with its iconic five-story pagoda, the key landmark of Kyoto's scenery. The temple is known as ”Daishi's temple.”

A mortuary temple for the imperial household

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

The graceful standing statue of Gigeiten is a must-see attraction

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

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

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

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

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

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).

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.

Quietly praying to the rakan statues on the hillsides

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.”

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

The head temple of Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji School and affectionately referred to as ”Onishi-san” in the Shichijo Horikawa district.

Offer a prayer to Japan's largest Buddha statue in its oldest temple

A tea ceremony sanctuary that started as a gathering of artists

Famous for ”The Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans”