Best Temples Spot List

The roads are covered with colorful leaves in autumn

Don't miss seeing the resting place for Shinsengumi members, Mibu-zuka

The object of worship here is Amida Nyorai and the statue of Prince Shotoku in the main hall is an important cultural property

Famous for its tea room, ”Hasso-no-seki”

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

Check out the ”Sento Kuyo” ceremony on summer nights

Make your wishes at Nariai-ji Temple

The head temple of the Jodo sect, founded at the place where Honen Shonin passed away. The magnificent monastery was built under the wing of the Tokugawa family.

A temple of the Nichiren sect on Mt. Ogura in Sagano. It is well-known for ”Hyakunin Isshu” (a collection of 100 poems by 100 different poets). In autumn, the nearby mountains awash with brilliant red leaves.

Featuring a garden created by Motonobu Kano

A Zen temple of the Rinzai School built in the scenic area of Arashimaya in Kyoto. It was built by Takauji Ashikaga in memory of the recently deceased Emperor Go-Daigo.

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

Famous for a painted fusuma from Tohaku Hasegawa

One of the Monzeki temples of the Tendai sect that enshrines the National Treasure Amida Sanzon (Amida Triad) statue in eternal tranquility.

Tie your prayers under the branches of the willow trees

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

Famous for its majestic, moss-covered garden

This temple is the daihonzan (head temple) of the Kencho-ji Temple school of the Rinzai sect and ranks first among the Kamakura Gozan (Kamakura's Five Great Zen Temples). It has a number of national treasures, cultural assets, and historical structures. The Sanmon (three gates) are a must-see.

The head temple of the Rinzai sect's Tofuku-ji School, which has Japan's largest monastery and oldest San-mon gate. It is known as one of Kyoto's best places to view autumn leaves.

Famous for the bell that angered Ieyasu