Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

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

A temple famous for its Bone Buddhas

A grand temple complex established on Mount Koya some 900 years ago

Blessed with knowledge by Monju

Enjoy the burning red foliage in autumn and the cherry blossoms and rhododendrons in spring

Known by locals as “Kurodani-san”

Many people visit to receive divine blessing from the “kachi daruma”, said to bring good luck

Happiness arrives with the buzzing of bell crickets

A school that embodies the dreams of Buddhist teacher Kobo Daishi

A thatched hut that stands in lush greenery

Famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

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.

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

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

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

A tea ceremony sanctuary that started as a gathering of artists

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

Famous for ”The Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans”

The oldest surviving building of Todaiji Temple. All the Buddhist statues stored here are national treasures