Kyoto Buddhist Temples: Listing

Kyoto Temples 京都のお寺

Kyoto has an estimated 2,000 plus temples and shrines made up of around 1,500 Buddhist temples of various sects and 500 Shinto shrines.

Kyoto's temples range from such world famous UNESCO World Heritage listed temples such as Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji to small, much less well-known neighborhood temples.

Kyoto's temples also range from the ancient such as Toji Temple, south of Kyoto Station, which was established in 796 to the Agonshu Temple in Yamashina, eastern Kyoto, which was built in the 1990s.

Many temples are shrines are set in beautiful garden spaces and are often connected with local festivals and other events.

Famous temples may be crowded all year round, while others draw most visitors for a particular festival or event or when a particular flower in the garden is in season. Crowds gather during the cherry-blossom viewing season in early April and for the autumn leaves in October-November. Look out for special night viewings and temple illuminations - inquire at the Kyoto tourist office.

No visit to Kyoto would be complete without at least one visit to a Japanese temple or shrine.

Temples usually close around 4pm-5pm, though shrines may often stay open around the clock.

Ryoanji Temple in western Kyoto is as iconic as Mt Fuji in Japan

Kyoto Temples

Byodoin Temple - World Heritage Site - located in Uji, south of Kyoto and featured on the 10 Yen coin.

Chionin Temple - known for its huge gate and temple bell.

Chishakuin Temple - famous for its exquisite gardens.

Daigoji Temple - World Heritage Site - large temple with pagoda in the far east of Kyoto.

Daikakuji Temple - likeside Buddhist temple in western Kyoto near Arashiyama.

Daitokuji Temple - famous Kyoto temple associated with the tea ceremony.

Eikando Temple - Tendai-sect temple celebrated for its autumn leaves.

Enryakuji Temple - large temple complex on the summit of Mt. Hiei.

Entsuji Temple - known for its borrowed landcape or shakkei.

Ginkakuji Temple - World Heritage Site - originally the mountainside villa of shogun Yoshimasa.

Honen-in Temple - small, peaceful temple off Philosopher's Walk in eastern Kyoto.

Honnoji Temple - place where warlord Oda Nobunaga was killed.

Kenninji Temple - founded by Eisai in 1202 and the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.

Kinkakuji Temple - World Heritage Site - known as the Golden Pavilion and a Kyoto blockbuster.

Kiyomizu Temple - World Heritage Site - popular temple known for its large wooden terrace and fine views.

Kodaiji Temple - established in the 16th century by Nene, the wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Koryuji Temple - World Heritage Site - founded by Korean immigrants with a fine collection of Buddhist art

Kozanji Temple - World Heritage Site - the oldest tea field in Japan.

Manpukuji Temple - Headquarters of Japan Sencha Tea Ceremony.

Manshuin Temple - lovely garden temple in Higashiyama area.

Myomanji Temple - tranquil temple in north eastern Kyoto.

Myoshinji Temple - large Zen temple with over 40 sub-temples.

Nanzenji Temple - large Zen Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto.

Ninnanji Temple - World Heritage Site - known for its late-flowering cherry blossom.

Nishi & Higashi Honganji Temples - World Heritage Site - large Jodo-Shinshu sect temples near Kyoto Station.

Rozanji Temple - situated near the Imperial Palace and hosts a setsubun festival in February.

Ryoanji Temple - World Heritage Site - probably the most famous stone garden temple in the world.

Saihoji Temple - World Heritage Site - the Moss Temple or kokedera in south west Kyoto.

Sanjusangendo Temple - 1,001 ancient wooden statues of Kannon.

Sekizanzenin Temple - peaceful temple at the foot of Mt. Hiei.

Shisendo Hermitage - small Soto Zen sect temple in Higashiyama.

Shokokuji Temple - Rinzai Zen temple near the Gosho and Doshisha University.

Tenryuji Temple - World Heritage Site - founded in 1339.

Tofukuji Temple - Zen temple known for its gardens and flowers.

Toji Temple - World Heritage Site - a Kyoto icon known for its pagoda and monthly flea-market.

Tojiin Temple - small temple close to Ryoanji and Ritsumeikan University.

Map of Kyoto's temples and shrines - see a map of Kyoto's temples and shrines.

Kyoto Shrines

Kyoto Shrines - guides to Kyoto's many Shinto shrines.

Book Budget Hotel Accommodation in Kyoto

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