Best Temples around Kansai Spot List

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

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

Famous for its national treasure, a statue of Miroku Bosatsu

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

This famous shrine blossoms in full glory from season to season with its flowers

An inn within the temple complex

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

With ancient living and meditation quarters

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

Japan's oldest convent was a gift from Prince Shotoku to his mother

See “Thunder of the Dragon” during special viewings

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 tea ceremony sanctuary that started as a gathering of artists

The orderly lineup of 1001 thousand-armed Kannon is superb

Located just north of Hokke-do in the Todai-ji Temple complex, Nigatsu-do is known as a place where Shuni-e (Omizu-tori or Sacred Water-drawing Festival) takes place every March. Nigatsu-do was named so since Shuni-e was held in February (nigatsu in Japanese) in the old calendar. Fire destroyed it in 1667, but two years later the current building was reconstructed exactly as it was before the fire. The building's design features a cascading style of architecture, and provides a commanding view of the roof of the Great Buddha Hall and Nara city. The principal image is the Juichimen Kannon, which is never shown to the public.

Mt. Koya is a sacred mountaintop site founded by Kobo-Daishi Kukai in 816, and Okuno-in, which holds the Gobyo (mausoleum) of Kukai is the holiest place on the mountain. Surrounded by thick cedar trees, the approach stretches about two kilometers from Ichinohashi (Obashi) to Torodo and Gobyo, lined with about 200,000 graves and memorial towers including those of historical figures such as Sengoku Daimyo (feudal lords). Crossing Gobyobashi Bridge over the Tama-gawa River leads to the Gobyo of Kukai, who died in 835, and Torodo. In Torodo, you'll encounter a sacred lantern called Hinnyo no Itto or Choja no Mando (Shirakawatou) as well as another 20,000 votive lanterns glowing together to create a fantastic spectacle.