66 temples · 36 shrines
Kyoto Prefecture is in the Kansai region of western Japan and is known for its long history as a center of Japanese culture. It includes Kyoto City, former imperial sites, many temples and shrines, and scenic areas such as the Tango coast and the rural mountains of the north.
A ranked guide to standout temples and shrines for planning a meaningful visit.
Shojokein is a head temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhist sect in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. Founded in 860 by monk Ennin as a Tendai temple, it was later granted to priest Honen in the 13th century. The name means 'pure petals,' referencing the lotus flower.
View detailsFushimi Inari Taisha, located in Kyoto, is the head shrine of Inari, the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and prosperity. Established in 711 AD, it is renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form pathways up Mount Inari.
Based on the available source information, I can only confirm that Myoenji (妙円寺) is a Japanese Buddhist temple, with the name written in kanji as 妙円寺 or 妙圓寺. The provided sources do not contain sufficient verified details about this specific temple's...
Hiko refers to Hiko, Nevada; the masculine or genderneutral form of Hime; a juggling element in Tongan dance; Hikosan Jingū in Kyushu, Japan; and Mount Hiko, a mountain in Kyushu, Japan. As a travel reference, the main site of interest is Mount Hiko and its...
A historic Nichiren Buddhist temple founded in 1477, Myōdenji is one of the eight main temples of Kyoto's Nichiren sect. The temple houses sacred relics of Nichiren Shonin and features a statue facing the nearby intersection. After surviving fires through...
Kaji is a shrine within Awata Shrine in Kyoto’s Higashiyama Ward, devoted to the gods of metalworking and swordsmithing. It is linked to famed artisans such as Sanjo Munechika and Awataguchi Yoshimitsu, and sits within a historic precinct with seasonal...
Tenryūji, in Susukinobabachō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, is the head temple of the Tenryūji branch of the Rinzai Zen sect. Founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339 with Musō Soseki as first chief priest; construction finished in 1345.
A Shinto shrine in Kameoka, Kyoto, known as MotoIzumo (original Izumo) and ichinomiya of former Tanba Province. Enshrines Ōkuninushi and Mihotsuhime. Famous for love matchmaking, sacred spring water ManainoMizu, and Meotoiwa rocks. The honden is an important...
Watch videos of sacred places across Japan
