Explore Kyoto’s Best Temples and Shrines: Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, Byodo-in, and More

Kiyomizu-dera Temple: Visit Kyoto’s most famous temple

Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto. Within its vast precincts, covering 130,000 square meters, you can find numerous national treasures and important cultural assets. It was registered as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1994.

One of the temple’s highlights is the "Eleven-headed Thousand-armed Kannon Bodhisattva" statue, the main object of worship. Don’t miss the small Otowa Waterfall with its clear spring water, called kiyomizu in Japanese, from which the temple takes its name.

The temple is picturesque year round, with pastel-pink cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, and vibrant leaves in fall. The site has been featured in many Japanese books since ancient times, so make sure to visit when you’re in Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Address: 1-294 Shimizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from Gojozaka bus stop; 15-min taxi ride from Kyoto Station (Shinkansen Hachijo exit)
Official website: https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/

Explore Kiyomizu-dera and Nanzen-ji temples by opting for a private sightseeing tour. The chartered taxi departs from Kyoto Station and will be conducted by a certified Kyoto expert.

Jishu Shrine: Pray to find your perfect match

Jishu Shrine is located to the left after passing the Kiyomizu-no-butai platform, on which Kiyomizu-dera Temple is built.

The shrine was used for worship by successive emperors, military commanders, and ordinary citizens. Until the Edo period (1603-1868,) it was Kiyomizu-dera Temple’s chinjusha, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the tutelary deity of the local area.

Today, the shrine is known for being associated with the god of marriage. It features a pair of “Love Fortune Stones,” a relic from the Jomon period (14,000 and 300 BC.) Make sure to pick up a lucky charm, believed to connect you to your destined one.

The En-Musubi Jishu Festival, held on the first Sunday of each month, is a popular event where participating visitors can receive a free “Kaiun Kozuchi,” a small lucky charm in the shape of a mallet.

Jishu Shrine
Address: 1-317 Shimizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from Gojozaka bus stop; 15-min taxi ride from Kyoto Station (Shinkansen Hachijo exit)
Official website: https://www.jishujinja.or.jp/english/
*Note that Jishu Shrine is currently closed due to restoration work.

Kinkaku-ji Temple: Admire Kyoto’s Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji Temple, formally known as Rokuon-ji Temple and referred to as the Golden Pavilion in English due to its beautiful pure gold leaf facade, was built in 1397 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi period (1336-1573.)

Yoshimitsu was known for his active trade with China, and the three-story structure resembles a Chinese-style Zen Buddhist temple. The top is adorned with a phoenix statue, symbolizing good fortune in Chinese mythology. The building and garden represent the Pure Land in Buddhism.

Make sure to visit the temple’s counterpart, Ginkaku-ji Temple—also known as the Silver Pavilion—as well, to compare both structures.

Kinkaku-ji Temple (Rokuon-ji Temple)
Address: 1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Kinkakuji-michi bus stop
Official website: https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/en/kinkakuji/

Explore Kinkaku-ji Temple and other popular tourist spots in Kyoto by opting for a private sightseeing tour. The chartered taxi departs from Kyoto Station and will be conducted by a certified Kyoto expert.

Byodo-in Temple: See the temple from the 10 yen coin

Byodo-in Temple's Phoenix Hall was built in 1053, and is believed to represent the Pure Land of Buddhism. The stunning site is even featured on Japan's 10 yen coin.

The complex is home to numerous national treasures and important cultural assets, including a seated statue of Amida Nyorai, the principal Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism. You can see them at the Hoshokan temple museum.

Since the temple is located in Uji, one of Japan’s major producing regions for green tea, stop by the tearoom Toka, where you can taste authentic Uji tea. To commemorate your trip to Byodo-in Temple, pick up a red temple seal, called goshuin.

The temple precincts are picturesque throughout the year, with cherry blossoms and wisteria blooming in spring, and colored leaves in fall.

Byodo-in Temple
Address: 116 Uji-Renge, Uji-shi, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from Uji Station (JR Nara Line)
Official website: https://www.byodoin.or.jp/en/

Explore Byodo-in Temple and other popular tourist spots in Uji by opting for a private sightseeing tour. The chartered taxi departs from Kyoto Station and will be conducted by a certified Kyoto expert.

Eikando Zenrin-ji Temple: Admire the vibrant fall foliage

Eikando Zenrin-ji Temple was founded in 863 by Shinjo, a disciple of Kukai, the founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism. It’s a historic temple home to many national treasures and important cultural properties.

The main statue of Amida Nyorai, the principal Buddha of Pure Land Buddhism, is called “Mikaeri Amida Nyorai” (Amida Nyorai Looking Back) due to its unusual posture, with its head turned to the left. It’s a valuable statue and a designated Important Cultural Property.

It refers to an incident involving Eikan, a monk overseeing the temple. While he was engaged in ascetic practices at night, Amida Nyorai unexpectedly appeared in front of him, and then turned around to speak to Eikan.

Eikando is especially popular for its fall foliage, which have been mentioned in famous poetry anthologies. Pick up a goshuin temple seal as a souvenir to commemorate your visit.

Eikando Zenrin-ji Temple
Address: 48 Eikando-machi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Nanzen-ji Eikando-michi bus stop
Official website: http://www.eikando.or.jp/English/index_eng.html

Ryoan-ji Temple: Experience Zen in a mysterious stone garden

Ryoan-ji Temple, founded in 1450, is famous for its mysterious stone garden. The iconic karesansui dry landscape garden is said to contain four mysteries: the mystery of the carving, the garden design, the perspective, and the earthen wall. Here, you can learn more about each mystery prior to your visit.

Sit down on the porch and admire the beautiful stone garden—you will be able to experience the world of philosophical beauty condensed in a small space. The site is especially stunning during cherry blossom season.

Ryoan-ji Temple
Address: 13 Goryonoshita-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Ryoanji-mae bus stop
Official website: http://www.ryoanji.jp/smph/eng/

Ninna-ji Temple: Spend a night at a World Heritage Site

The World Heritage Site Ninna-ji Temple was founded in 888. In addition to the main hall "Kondo," a designated National Treasure, and the five-story pagoda, an Important Cultural Property, the sight of the late-blooming omuro-zakura cherry trees in spring is particularly picturesque.

You can even spend the night at the Omuro Kaikan, a lodging facility belonging to Ninna-ji Temple, and participate in the traditional Buddhist service in the morning.

Ninna-ji Temple
Address: 33 Omuro-Ouchi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Omuro-Ninnaji Station (Randen Line)
Official website: http://www.ninnaji.jp/ (in Japanese only)

Tenryu-ji Temple: Sample vegetarian Buddhist cuisine

Tenryu-ji Temple in Kyoto’s Arashiyama neighborhood is a Zen temple built in 1339 by shogun military commander Ashikaga Takauji.

Although often destroyed by fire and war, the temple was rebuilt and often used as a location for movies between the Meiji (1868-1912) and Showa (1926-1989) eras. It’s widely known as the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism.

Admire the seasonal landscape of the temple’s Sogenchi Pond Garden. It’s the highlight of this sacred site, and has remained unchanged for the past 700 years.

Moreover, at the Shigetsu restaurant directly managed by Tenryu-ji Temple, you can enjoy traditional Buddhist cuisine, which does not contain any animal ingredients, and is centered on vegetables and seaweed.

Tenryu-ji Temple
Address: 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Arashiyama Station (Randen Line)
Official website: https://www.tenryuji.com/en/

Shigetsu
Address: 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga Tenryuji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: Short walk from Arashiyama Station (Randen Line)
Official website: https://www.tenryuji.com/en/shigetsu/

Nanzen-ji Temple: Explore various scenic gardens

Nanzen-ji Temple was founded in 1291 and became the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. Within the temple precincts, you’ll find Hojo Garden, which is famous for its karesansui dry landscape garden, a traditional gardening method representative of the Edo period (1603-1868.)

Kohojo Garden, on the other hand, features an arrangement of stones forming the Chinese character for "heart," while Rokudo-tei Garden is said to be the garden of the commandments of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

On the south side of the Hatto (Lecture Hall,) you’ll find a brick structure called Suirokaku (Waterway Bridge,) through which the Lake Biwa Canal flows, providing a beautiful yet unusual sight for Japan. The surrounding greenery and the lush gardens and stunning architecture will allow you to truly relax.

Nanzen-ji Temple
Address: Nanzen-ji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Access: 10-min walk from Keage Station (Subway Tozai Line)
Official website: http://www.nanzen.net/ (in Japanese only)

Opt for the Kansai Area Pass and enjoy unlimited rides on all JR West Lines and shinkansen in the Kansai Region, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. It includes a one-day pass for Kyoto Municipal Subway and Keihan Electric Railway.

Discover Kyoto's temples and shrines

In this article, we've highlighted some must-visit temples and shrines, of which some are designated World Heritage Sites, National treasures, and Important Cultural Properties. Kyoto’s rich history, culture, and seasonal beauty invites travelers to an unforgettable experience.

You can easily get around the city by bus, train or subway, so don't miss the chance to explore all these renowned temples and shrines during your trip.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.

Kyoto sightseeing taxi (6 hrs): Kiyomizu-dera & Nanzen-ji temples

・Conducted by a certified Kyoto expert, the chartered taxi departs from Kyoto Station.
・The sightseeing tour includes stops at Kiyomizu-dera and Nanzen-ji temples.

Kyoto sightseeing taxi (8.5 hrs): Kinkaku-ji Temple, Arashiyama & Miyama Village

・Conducted by a certified Kyoto expert, the chartered taxi departs from Kyoto Station.
・The tour includes stops at the golden Kinkaku-ji Temple, Arashiyama and Miyama Village.

Kyoto sightseeing taxi (4.5 hrs): Byodo-in Temple & other attractions in Uji

・Conducted by a certified Kyoto expert, the chartered taxi departs from Kyoto Station.
・The tour covers Uji's Byodo-in, Mimuroto-ji, and Manpuku-ji temples, plus Ujigami Shrine.

Kansai Area Pass (1-4 days)

・Unlimited rides on JR trains, limited express "Haruka" and West Japan JR buses in Kansai.
・Includes a 1-day pass for Kyoto Municipal Subway and Keihan Electric Railway.