Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

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

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.

Famous for its connection to Honen and it’s beauty in autumn

Ono no Komachi concealed herself here amongst the plum blossoms

Where the successful Hideyoshi Toyotomi worshipped the three-faced Daikokuten

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

Famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms and autumn leaves

The scattered fallen leaves in autumn are beautiful

Famous for the bell that angered Ieyasu

This temple guesthouse is home to national treasures

A temple famous for its Bone Buddhas

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.

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

The orderly lineup of 1001 thousand-armed Kannon is superb

Famous for ”The Scrolls of Frolicking Animals and Humans”

An inn within the temple complex

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.”

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