The brightly painted Yasaka-jinja Shrine is one of the city's best known and most popular landmarks, especially the two-story vermilion entrance gate at the end of Shijo-dori Avenue.
Located in the south-east of Kyoto, Tofukuji is a large open temple complex, with 23 sub temples. The temple is famous for its stone and moss gardens and has the largest Zen temple gate in Japan.
Steeped in history, the Toji complex spans the years from its expansion in the ninth century to its current collaboration with the Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in France.
The shrine is dedicated to the two most important Japanese emperors and built to celebrate the Kyoto 1100th anniversary and named Heian, the city's former name.
South of Kyoto, the torii of Fushimi Inari Taisha, traditional gates at the entrance to Shinto shrines, lined up in their thousands on the mountainside. This is a must-visit place in
Ryoanji Temple located in the northwest of Kyoto is home to Japan's best known stone garden. Now a World Heritage Site this a must see attraction in Kyoto.
Plants mark the passing of the seasons. Here, nearly 120 varieties of moss have created a color palette of infinite varieties of yellow and green. Welcome to the Kokedera Moss Temple.
Located in southeast Kyoto Daigoji Temple was founded by Shobo in 874. Now a World Heritage Site the temple is a great place to see the changing of the leaves.
In the prefecture of Shiga, not far from the famous Kyoto, is the city of Otsu and the Hiyoshi-Taisha shrine. This Shinto shrine is the counterpart of the nearby Enryaku-ji temple on Mount Hiei.
Jojakkoji Temple, in Arashiyama, western Kyoto is a Nichiren sect temple dating from the late 16th century. It is known for its tranquility and autumn leaves.
Arashiyama in west Kyoto has several temples of great beauty: Tenryuji, Jojakkoji, Nison-in, Gioji, Adashino Nembutsiji, Otagi Nembutsuji and Daikakuji.
With regard to the emblematic sites and monuments of the historic district of Higashiyama, literally "the mountain of the east", the Ryôzen Kannon temple is an outsider in the classic tourist itine
Ishiyama-dera Temple is one of the two major Buddhist temples in the coastal city of Otsu. It is the 13th temple of the Kannon pilgrimage in the Kansai region.
Otatsu Inari Shrine (御辰稲荷神社) is a small Inari (fox) shrine just north of Heian Shrine in the Okazaki district of central Kyoto. It dates from the Edo Period.
Nonomiya Shrine in Arashiyama, Kyoto is a small shrine associated with the purification of imperial princesses before becoming priestesses at Ise Shrine.
Kyoto is known for its many temples, scattered throughout the city. Tentokuin Temple is one of a series of shrines near famous Tofukuji, southeast of Kyoto Station.
Miidera Temple (aka Onjoji), near Otsu in Shiga Prefecture was founded in 672 during the Nara Period of Japanese history. There are over 40 buildings in this large Tendai temple complex.
Ujigami Shrine in Uji, south of Kyoto, is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed Shrine, and has the oldest shrine building in Japan dating from the 11th century.
Mimurotoji Temple, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture 三室戸寺: In the wide garden of Mimurotoji Temple in Uji there are 30 different kinds of hydrangea some of which seem to have the shape of a heart.
Jakko-in Temple in Ohara, Kyoto has been a nunnery since 1186 and is associated with the classic feud between the rival Taira (Heike) and Minamoto (Genji) clans.
Raigo-in Temple Ohara 来迎院: Raigo-in Temple is one of several Tendai-sect temples in the pretty, farming village of Ohara in the hills north east of Kyoto.Raigo-in like its more famous neighbor, San
Sugawarain Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto near the south west corner of the Gosho is believed to be the birthplace and home of Michizane Sugawara, the noted Heian era poet and court official.
Oharano Shrine in the Oharano district of south west Kyoto is an ancient shrine connected with the tutelary deity of the Fujiwara clan and mentioned in the Tale of Genji.
Shogoin Temple in Kyoto is monzeki temple with priceless fusuma paintings by the Kano School of artists. A monzeki temple it served as a temporary residence for two emperors.
Yoshiminedera is a Tendai sect temple located in the mountains south west of central known for its superb autumn leaves and historic, elongated pine tree.
Bukkoji is a Jodo Shinshu sect temple in the Gion district of central Kyoto and was founded by the priest Ryogen (1295-1336), a disciple of Shinran in 1324.
Koetsuji Temple in the Takagamine district of north west Kyoto was once the artist colony of the noted Edo period artists and tea master, Honami Koetsu (1558-1637).
Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine in Gion, Kyoto is known for its power stone said to end bad relationships or initiate good ones as well as an annual comb festival.
North of Kyoto is the Enryakuji temple of Mount Hiei, which was one of the most powerful temples of Japan. A visit to one of the great places of Japanese Buddhism.
Among the many temples of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage sites, Ninna-ji Temple is one of the largest. It has become famous throughout Japan for its cherry blossoms.
Trees tower over the entrance, towering trees, some over seven hundred years old, guarding the temple. The sound of birds calling, wind in the leaves, silence.
The headquarters of the Obaku branch of zen, the third school of Zen Buddhism in Japan, smaller and less known than the Rinzai and Soto schools, the Ôbakusan Manpukuji remains one of the few enclos
The Todasu-no-mori forest embraces and encercles the Shimogamo Jinja like a treasure. The latter is close to another shrine like a brother, the Kamigamo Jinja.
Around a street corner in Gion, the Kenninji invites you to meditate. A temple with beautiful gardens, in April it hosts a celebration in in honor of a Zen master.
What a strange paradox that this place dedicated to Kamo Wake-Ikazuchi, the Shinto god of thunder, is so peaceful. Yet the nearby town seems to be so far away.
Surrounded by greenery, nestled in the Higashiyama district, this temple, dating from 1264, which had originally served as a secondary villa to the Emperor Kameyama (1249-1305) is now c
Shiramine Shrine in Kyoto is the home of the kemari and is popular with soccer players of all levels, who come to pray for success in sports competitions.
With its harmonious landscapes and refined architecture, the beauty of Ginkakuji surpasses that of the Golden Pavilion in the hearts of many Japanese ...
With eyes on alert and the wind in your nostrils, Torin-in is a sensory experience. Its doors open only two days a year, making it a rare treat not to be missed.
Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku Shrine honors the patriots who died during the struggles to overthrow the Tokugawa regime in the mid-19th century as well as soldiers in later wars.
Hirano Shrine: read a guide to Hirano Shrine (Hirano Jinja). Read about Hirano Shrine's history, cherry blossoms, and other features of this Kyoto shrine.
Shinnyodo Temple: read a guide to Shinnyodo Temple in the Yoshidayama area of Kyoto known for its autumn colors and close to Kurodani and Yoshida Shrine.
Manpukuji Temple: read a guide to Manpukuji Temple in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture. Read about Manpukuji Temple's history, location, and other features of this Buddhist temple.
