Many Temples in Kyoto are World Heritage Listed
Most temples and shrines lie on the city's outskirts, but are easily accessible. The Kiyomizu Temple, beautifully positioned on a hillside, has a wide veranda, with views over the city - its bright vermilion pagoda is a landmark. The buildings of the Heian Shrine and its massive red torii gateway, echo the style of the first Imperial Palace in Kyoto. The gardens are famous for their spring blossoms and fall colors. The Ashikaga Shogun Yoshimitsu used the Kinkakuji Temple (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) as a retreat, but after his death the building became a temple. The beautiful gilded structure is set in a traditional Japanese garden.
Renowned for its Zen-style garden, with its raked gravel patterns and carefully positioned rocks, the Ryoanji Temple was built in 1450 by General Hosokawa Katsumoto. The shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who popularized the tea ceremony, built the Ginkakuji Temple (Temple of the Silver Pavilion) in 1482. The temple gardens are famous for their ascetic formality and balance. The nearby popular Path of Philosophy follows a scenic canal.
The Saihoji (Kokedera) Temple, better known as the Moss Temple, is a Zen temple set in a pretty moss garden (reservations by mail necessary) Numerous works of art are housed in the Toji Temple, built in 794 as a place to pray for peace. A giant temple flea market is held here on the 21st every month.
Temples and shrines
Toji Temple
This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nishi Honganji Temple
This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sanjusangen-do Temple
This temple is famous for its 1,001 wooden statues.
Kenninji Temple
This temple is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
Nijo Castle
This castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mibu-dera Temple
This temple is a popular destination.
Senbon shaka-do Temple
The main hall at this temple is one of the oldest in Kyoto.
Kitano Tenmanngu Shrine
This shrine is dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane.
Shimogamo Shrine
This shrine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Higashi Honganji Temple
This temple, which was created independent of Nishi-Honganji.
Kiyomizu Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage Site. The main hall,is world famous.
Kodaiji Temple
Nene, the widow of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, constructed this temple.
Hokanji Temple (Yasakano-to)
The impressive, ancient five-story pagoda of this temple is a prominent Kyoto landmark.
Rokuharamitsuji Temple
This temple is famous for the statue of Priest Kuya.
Yasaka Shrine
The origin of this shrine is not certain.
Chion-in Temple
This temple was constructed on the orders of a Priest.
Shoren-in Temple
This elegant temple is also known as the Awata Palace.
Heian Shrine
This shrine was constructed in 1895 in commemoration of Kyoto's 1,100 year anniversary.
Shinnyo-do Temple
This temple was constructed in 984.
Nanzenji Temple
This temple originally served as a detached palace for an Emperor.
Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion)
This temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. built in 1489.
Murin-an
Completed in 1896 as a villa for the famous politician, Yamagata.
Shisen-do Temple
This was built in 1641 as the residence of Ishikawa Jozan, a samurai.
Enkoji Temple
This temple has served as a Zen training center for nuns.
Manshu-in Temple
This temple stands in a small forested compound.
Entsuji Temple
This famous dry landscape garden incorporates Mt. Hiei.
Koetsuji Temple
This temple started out as a home for the artist Honami Koetsu.
Genko-an Temple
The Zen gardens and atmosphere at this somewhat remote temple are marvelous.
Sanzen-in Temple
This temple belongs to Tendai sect of Buddhism.
Jakko-in Temple
This templeis one of Kyoto's oldest.
Kibune Shrine
The god of water is enshrined here, and this shrine is popular.
Kurama Temple
This mountain-top temple was built in 770.
Daitokuji Temple
This temple was completed in 1319.
Kamigamo Shrine
A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinkakuji built in 1397.
Seiryoji Temple (Sagashaka-do Temple)
This temple houses an image of the Buddha when he was at age 37 years.
Koryuji Temple
This temple houses the graceful Miroku Bosatsu Buddha statue.
Ryoanji Temple (Rock Garden)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ninnaji Temple
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Myoshinji Temple
This temple was established in 1342.
Tenryuji Temple
Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Daikakuji Temple
This detached palace once belonged to Emperor Saga.
Jingoji Temple
Established in 809, the temple's main hall, has a wooden statue.
Saimyoji Temple
Located on quiet, secluded Makio Mountain, this temple is famous for its autumn beauty.
Kozanji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kozanji Temple was built in 774.
Rakushisha
Originally this house was the residence of the Mukai Kyorai.
Gioji Temple
This temple was the setting for the tragedy of two noble women.
Saihoji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saihoji or the Moss Temple is one of Kyoto's top attractions.
Matsuo Shrine
A shrine dedicated to Bacchus, respected by sake.
Umenomiya Shrine
This shrine is home to the god of sake-making.
Chishaku-in Temple
The fine garden at this temple, known for its masterpiece sliding-door paintings, is famed for its azaleas.
Tofukuji Temple
This temple was built in 1239. Covering an area of 200,000 square meters.
Sennyuji Temple
This temple is often called Midera Temple.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
The head shrine of more than 40,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan.
Fujinomori Shrine
The custom of decorating samurai dolls for Boy's Day (May).
Gokonomiya Shrine
The water at this shrine is ranked as one of the best in Japan.
Daigoji Temple
Built in 874 and designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.
Kanshuji Temple
This garden features a fine pond at its center.
Zuishin-in Temple
Zuishin-in Temple contains a number of famous artifacts.
Jonangu Shrine
Considered to be a geomantically perfect place.
Enryakuji Temple
The mother temple and training ground for nearly all of Japan's most famous monks.
Byodo-in Temple
View the legendary Phoenix Hall at this temple.
Ujigami Shrine
This shrine is the old extant example of this type of shrine.
