Best Shrines And Temples In Kyoto

Here're best Shrines And Temples in Kyoto. We released a ranking of reviews about Shrines And Temples posted by travel influencers who have actually been to Kyoto.

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Instagrammable Shrine And Temple

Yasaka Koshin-do Temple

8 Reviews

I wrote my wish on a colorful ball at Yasaka Koshin-do Temple in Kyoto. It's a nice place my heart leaps up just looking at them. Your Instagram must be able to get many likes!

Kawai Shrine

4 Reviews

At Kawai Shrine, you can make up ema (votive picture tablet to write your wish) by your own cosmetics. They sell a beverage named 'Bijin Sui (Beauty Water)', it's nice place for people like beauty treatments. You can enjoy this lovely shrine even just looking around.

Nanzen-ji Temple

17 Reviews

Suirokaku stands quietly in the back of Nanzenji Temple. It looks great whether you take it from an angle or from the front. It is a popular spot with beautiful fresh greenery in summer and autumn leaves in autumn. I was healed by a lovely kimono couple. This is a recommended spot for walking around kimono.

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Keage

Nanzen-ji Temple

17 Reviews

Nanzen-ji Suiro-kaku is a part of Biwa Lake Canal to bring the water to Kyoto from Biwa Lake. The beautiful arched bridges built of bricks considered the temple scenery and were designed in Meiji Era. They bring the water now in active service.

Eikando Zenrin-ji

6 Reviews

Although Eikando could be very crowded with many tourists in the season of autumn leaves, you can see around calmly now in the fresh greens for there're fewer visitors. In the precinct of Eikando, you must see the beautifully curved Garyu-ro (Hallway Of Lying Dragon: named after its ceiling which is similar to a dragon's back).

Ōtoyo Shrine

1 Reviews

Ōtoyo Shrine, located on the Tetsugaku-no Michi (Road of Philosophy), has a rare stone guardian mouse, and it's popular to visit here in the Year of the Mouse (one of the twelve zodiac signs in Japan). It's very lovely with a camellia flower on its head. You can find also fox, bird and snake here. We should visit this shrine specially in this year 2020.

Gionshijo・Kawaramachi Station

Yasaka Koshin-do Temple

8 Reviews

I wrote my wish on a colorful ball at Yasaka Koshin-do Temple in Kyoto. It's a nice place my heart leaps up just looking at them. Your Instagram must be able to get many likes!

Kodaiji Temple

6 Reviews

Beautiful weeping cherry tree (Shidare Zakura) standing on the white sands of Hojo Garden of Kodai-ji Temple. We can see the beauty of Japan and tasteful atmosphere of Kyoto. The admission fee is 600 yen. It would be illuminated in that season.

Kennin-ji Temple

3 Reviews

Built in Kamakura Period (1202), Kennin-ji Temple has a holding screen printing of Wind God and Thunder God Screens, and Painting of Two Dragons, and Karesansui Garden called Cho'on Tei. If you're lucky, you may see the screen painting over this papered sliding door.

Kitanohakubaicho

Kinkakuji Temple

6 Reviews

A good sightseeing spot that you can appreciate the seasons and the history of Kyoto.

Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

8 Reviews

It's one of the sites of Kyo's (Kyoto's) Star Festival, which has been held eight times until this year. The bamboo leaves in the illuminated precinct are fantastic. You can enjoy quiet and cool atmosphere of summer.◎Kyo's Star Fastival is held on the lunar day of star festival. During the festival, various events are carried out at this shrine.

Hirano Shrine

3 Reviews

Hirano Shrine is well-known as a great cherry blossom spot. In front of its Romon (two-storied gate), there're early-blooming cherry blossom which has origin in this shrine, and lovely lanterns with cherry blossom crests. You must see cherry garden, too! In Hirano Shrine, you can enjoy seeing both of early and late cherry blossoms for a long period!

Hase

Ruriko-in Temple

14 Reviews

The spring special visiting is opened till 6/15 in 2018. The relaxing room extends here. The table room, which has been a hot topic in SNS, you can see various reflections from different directions. And, it's so gorgeous and beautiful.

Kyoto Ohara Sanzen-in Temple

5 Reviews

Sanzen-in Temple is located at Kyoto Ohara where has the beautiful nature in each season. Its garden is covered with moss and you can leave the daily life in front of the beautiful and comfortable scenery. A lovely Warabe Jizo (a stone image with child face) makes us feel at ease.

Kuzuryutaisha Shrine

1 Reviews

The Kuzuryu Benzaiten Okami, which brings good luck and warding off evil spirits, and the White Snake Stone, which brings luck with money, are enshrined here! There are dragons all over the temple grounds. Since its inception, the unique worship etiquette known as 'Osendo' has been passed down, which involves going around the main shrine nine times clockwise. There are 8 places to bow at Osendo, and the shrine garden is said to be a resting place for Kuzuryu Benzaiten Daijin, and the dragon god will appear from the spring at any moment!

Demachiyanagi

Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya Shrine)

6 Reviews

The amulet at Shimogamo Shrine is said to be extremely beautiful. The most popular amulet, made of delicate openwork lace, has Shimogamo Shrine's divine emblem Futaba Aoi and Wisteria Pattern woven into it, and when held up to the sky, its delicate beauty becomes even more vivid. It is said that if you carry it carefully or display it in a clean room, it will bring you good luck. Please note that the seasonal charm with a snowflake motif is only available during the winter season.

Kawai Shrine

4 Reviews

At Kawai Shrine, you can make up ema (votive picture tablet to write your wish) by your own cosmetics. They sell a beverage named 'Bijin Sui (Beauty Water)', it's nice place for people like beauty treatments. You can enjoy this lovely shrine even just looking around.

Chotoku-ji Temple

1 Reviews

In Kyoto city, Chotoku-ji Temple has Okame Zakura, one of the early cherry blossoms. It's located near Demachiyanagi Station, so we can access easily. You are encouraged to see the early cherry blossom, when you travel in Kyoto in spring.

Arashiyama

Tenryu Temple

6 Reviews

Giouji Temple

4 Reviews

Gio-ji Temple is in Arashiyama, Kyoto. A dancer Gio lost a Taira-no-Kiyomori's favor and was turned out from Kyoto. She spent the rest of her life as a nun in this convent.

Hogo-in Temple

3 Reviews

The autumn foliage of Arashiyama. Hogon-in Temple is usually closed, but it admits you to the garden only in spring and autumn. The autumn colored trees are lightened up at night and show us the different scenes from daytime.

Review Ranking

1
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Yanagidani Kannon, famous for hydrangeas. A lot of hydrangeas in the precincts are in full bloom. The colorful flower wash basins placed in various places and the umbrella sky with hydrangea pattern that started this year are also beautiful. Potted hydrangeas were lined up on the steps of the torii next to the main hall, and it was a wonderful photo spot.

Name

Yokokuji-Temple

Address

2Jododanidonodani, Nagaokakyo-shi, Kyoto, JapanGoogle Map

Tel

075-956-0017

Hours

9:00-17:00

How to get there

10 min by car, from Nishiyamatennozan Station

Parking

Parking area is available

2
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Shouju-in Temple is famous for the lovely heart-shaped window called Inome-mado. Not only the window, I was fascinated with the beautiful paintings on the ceiling that are different one by one. In summer, you can also enjoy tea in the beautiful sounds of wind bell.

Name

Shoju-in Temple

Address

149 Kawakami Okuyamada Ujitawara-cho, Tsuzuki-gun, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

0774-88-3601 

Hours

8:30-16:30

How to get there

By bus, 30 min from JR Uji Station or Kintetsu Shintanabe Station to Ichumae, and change bus to Okuyamada for 15 min, then walk 10 min. By car, 60 min from Kyoto city. Free parking area is available.

Parking

Parking area is available

3
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You can go to Toji Temple from the Kyoto station on foot. The fivefold pagoda is highest in Japan and a popular sightseeing spot in Kyoto. Moreover, you can see a Shidare Zakura, a weeping cherry tree in spring. Illuminated cherry blossoms at night are very fantastic.

Name

Toji Temple

Address

1 Kujyo-cho Minami-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-691-3325

Hours

5:00-17:00

How to get there

15 min walk from Kyoto Station, or 10 min walk from Toji Station. By bus, 10 min from Kyoto Station to Toji-mae.

Parking

Parking area is available

4
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Nanzen-ji Suiro-kaku is a part of Biwa Lake Canal to bring the water to Kyoto from Biwa Lake. The beautiful arched bridges built of bricks considered the temple scenery and were designed in Meiji Era. They bring the water now in active service.

Name

Nanzen-ji Temple

Address

Nanzenji Fukuchi-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

How to get there

10 min walk from Keage Station. 25 min by bus from Kyoto Station to Nanzenji Eikando, then 10 min walk.

5
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The spring special visiting is opened till 6/15 in 2018. The relaxing room extends here. The table room, which has been a hot topic in SNS, you can see various reflections from different directions. And, it's so gorgeous and beautiful.

Name

Ruriko-in Temple

Address

55 Higashiyama Kamitakano Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-781-4001

Fee

Adult 2000 yen、Child 0 yen

How to get there

5 min walk from Yase Hieizan-guchi Station, 5 min walk from Yase Station. By bus, 50 min from Kyoto Station to Yase Station, then 7 min walk.

Parking

Nearby toll parking area is available

6
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Kifune Shrine changes its appearance in each season. From spring to summer, you can see the lively scenery of fresh green.

Name

Kifune Shrine

Address

180 Kibune-cho Kurama Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Fee

Adult 0 yen、Child 0 yen

How to get there

5 min from Kifune-guchi Station of Eizan Train to 'Kifune', then walk 5 min.

Parking

Toll parking area is available

7
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When going through under Sembon Torii, you can feel like to come into the mysterious another world. Here's a great spot you can feel the exotic Japanese atmosphere.

Name

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Address

68 Fukakusayabunouchi-cho Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-641-7331

Hours

8:30-16:30

How to get there

Just near JR Inari Station, or 5 min walk from Keihan Fushimi Inari Station. By bus, 15 min from Kyoto to Inaritaisha, then 7 min walk. By car, 20 min from Kyoto Minami IC.

Parking

Free parking area is available

8
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Kiyomizu Temple, an unmissable spot for sightseeing in Kyoto. During the special honor of visiting held three times in a year, the blue light goes through the sky in Kyoto. This light, they says, expresses the mercy of Kwannon.

Name

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Address

1-294 Kiyomizu Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-551-1234

Hours

6:00-18:30

Fee

Adult 400 yen、Child 200 yen

How to get there

By bus, 10 min from Kyoto Station to Gojōzaka, then 10 min walk. By car or taxi, 15 min from Kyoto Station.

Parking

Nearby toll parking area is available

9
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I wrote my wish on a colorful ball at Yasaka Koshin-do Temple in Kyoto. It's a nice place my heart leaps up just looking at them. Your Instagram must be able to get many likes!

Name

Yasaka Koshin-do Temple

Address

390-1 Kin'en-cho Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Hours

9:00-17:00

Fee

Adult 0 yen、Child 0 yen

How to get there

By bus, 12 min from Kyoto Station to Kiyomizu-michi, then 3 min walk. By bus or taxi, 12 min from Kyoto Station, 7 min from Keihan Shijo Station.

Parking

Nearby toll parking area is available

10
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We cannot always see this flower purification fountain (Chozusha: a place for purification of your hands and mouth before you enter shrines or temples). And the flowers change every season. If you have a good chance to visit, I want you to see it.

Name

Shōrin-ji Temple

Address

15-795 Honmachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-561-4311

Hours

9:00-17:00

How to get there

7 min walk from Tofukuji Station. 1 min by car or taxi from Kyoto Station.

Parking

Parking area is available

11
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A good sightseeing spot that you can appreciate the seasons and the history of Kyoto.

Name

Kinkakuji Temple

Address

1 Kinkakuji-cho Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-461-0013

Hours

9:00-17:00

Fee

Adult 400 yen、Child 300 yen

How to get there

By car, 25 min from Kyoto Higashi IC, 30 min from Kyoto Minami IC. By bus, 30 min from Kyoto Station to Kinkakuji Michi, then walk 5 min.

Parking

Toll parking area is available

12
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It's one of the sites of Kyo's (Kyoto's) Star Festival, which has been held eight times until this year. The bamboo leaves in the illuminated precinct are fantastic. You can enjoy quiet and cool atmosphere of summer.◎Kyo's Star Fastival is held on the lunar day of star festival. During the festival, various events are carried out at this shrine.

Name

Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

Address

931 Bakuro-cho Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-461-0005

Hours

5:00-18:00

How to get there

30 min by bus from Kyoto Station. 5 min walk from Hakubai-cho Station. 25 min by car or taxi from Kyoto Station. Free parking area is available.

Parking

Free parking area is available

13
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Name

Tenryu Temple

Address

68 Sagatenryu-ji Susukinobaba-cho Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-881-1235

Hours

8:30-17:30

How to get there

14
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Beautiful weeping cherry tree (Shidare Zakura) standing on the white sands of Hojo Garden of Kodai-ji Temple. We can see the beauty of Japan and tasteful atmosphere of Kyoto. The admission fee is 600 yen. It would be illuminated in that season.

Name

Kodaiji Temple

Address

526 Shimo-Kawaramachi Kodaiji Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-561-9966

Hours

9:00-17:30

Fee

Adult 600 yen、Child 250 yen

How to get there

15 min walk from Keihan Gion Shijo Station. 20 min by bus from Kyoto Station to Higashiyama Yasui, then 7 min walk. By car or taxi, 15 min from Kyoto Station.

Parking

Toll parking area is available

15
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Many people visit Byodoin Temple during the autumn color light-up event. The weather was perfect and there was no winds, I could see this amazing reflections of Phoenix Hall (Hou-ou-dou) on the water.◎Autumn Color Light Up in 2018: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & National Holidays during November 17th to December 2nd. You need to choose daytime or evening.

Name

Byodoin Temple

Address

116 Renge Uji, Uji-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

0774-21-2861

Hours

8:30-17:30

How to get there

10 min walk from Uji Station. By car, 40 min from Kyoto City.

Parking

Nearby toll parking area is available

16
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Sanzen-in Temple is located at Kyoto Ohara where has the beautiful nature in each season. Its garden is covered with moss and you can leave the daily life in front of the beautiful and comfortable scenery. A lovely Warabe Jizo (a stone image with child face) makes us feel at ease.

Name

Kyoto Ohara Sanzen-in Temple

Address

540 Ohara Koin-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-744-2531

Hours

8:30-17:00

How to get there

By bus, 60 min from Kyoto Station to 'Ohara Bus Stop', then 10 min walk. By car, 20 min from Mano IC. There's no parking area, you can use toll parking lot nearby.

Parking

Nearby toll parking area is available

17
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Enko-ji Temple has become popular for its autumn colors. The beautiful green garden in summer becomes more beautiful with many colors in autumn. During the term of maple leaves falling, a red carpet will appear around the Jizo♡◎To take picture like a frame, you need to wait the timing people go away. But, the temple's attendant will tell you a good timing, so you can take picture like this!

Name

Enko-ji Temple

Address

13 Kotani-cho Ichijo-ji Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Fee

Adult 500 yen、Child 300 yen

How to get there

35 min by bus from Kyoto Station to Ichijoji Sagari Matsu-cho, then 10 min walk. 15 min walk from Ichijoji Station. By car, 30 min from Kyoto Station.

Parking

Parking area is available

18
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The amulet at Shimogamo Shrine is said to be extremely beautiful. The most popular amulet, made of delicate openwork lace, has Shimogamo Shrine's divine emblem Futaba Aoi and Wisteria Pattern woven into it, and when held up to the sky, its delicate beauty becomes even more vivid. It is said that if you carry it carefully or display it in a clean room, it will bring you good luck. Please note that the seasonal charm with a snowflake motif is only available during the winter season.

Name

Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya Shrine)

Address

59 Shimogamoizumikawa-cho Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Tel

075-781-0010

Hours

6:30-17:00

How to get there

12 min walk, from Demachiyanagi Station

Parking

Toll parking area is available

19
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You can enjoy seeing seasonal flowers at Mimuroto-ji Temple. In the rainy season, there're 10 thousand trees of hydrangea on the slope. The night illumination is, as you see, very fantastic!◎You can walk from Mimuroto Station of Keihan Line. Also, parking area is available.

Name

Mimuroto-ji Temple

Address

21 Shigadani Todou , Uji-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

How to get there

15 min walk from Mimuroto-ji Temple.

Parking

Toll parking area is available

20
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At Kawai Shrine, you can make up ema (votive picture tablet to write your wish) by your own cosmetics. They sell a beverage named 'Bijin Sui (Beauty Water)', it's nice place for people like beauty treatments. You can enjoy this lovely shrine even just looking around.

Name

Kawai Shrine

Address

59 Izumigawa-cho Shimogamo Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KyotoGoogle Map

Hours

6:30-17:00

How to get there

10 min walk from Keihan Demachiyanagi Station. By bus, 30 min from Tadasu-no Mori, then 3 min walk. By car or taxi, 20 min from Kyoto Station.

Parking

Toll parking area is available

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