Kyoto how many temples

The links in the article are related articles that cover that temple and can provide additional detail for planning your visit. The golden pavilion of Kinkaku-Ji viewed across the lake is perhaps one of the most famous views in Kyoto. This particular temple building is stunning in all seasons but with a bit of sunshine it really gleams to its full effect. There are other buildings, gardens and a tea house here so allow enough time to see it all.

Read more: All the info you need to plan your visit to the Golden Pavilion. During the cherry blossom season they are covered in wild blossom trees or jewel coloured leaves in the autumn. The main feature of Ryoan-ji is the very famous zen stone garden. I think this one is best enjoyed without the bus loads that come later in the day. This is a huge temple complex made up of a several large main buildings and around 50 sub temples. The building pictured here is the Butsuden Hall, an important cultural asset.

For more on exploring this slightly quieter area of Kyoto you might want to take a look at the Philosophers Path self guided walking tour. The silver pavillion is not silver, I just need to get that out of the way but it is the cultural home of so many of the zen arts that Kyoto is famous for. From garden design to architecture, Ikebana to the tea ceremony this temple played a vital role in their development and for that reason alone should be on your list.

As you move through the gardens and up the hill behind the temple you have great views out over the city. This is at the northern end of the Philosophers path so is a great place to spend the day exploring that area and the temples, gardens and cafes along it.

Visit here for the purification mounds, the secret garden tucked away behind the temple and the special opening of the temple buildings during camellia season. A very beautiful temple during the koyo autumn leaves season. Being set into the hillside the view from the temple out over the red and orange leaves below is striking. A Zen temple with a bit of everything on a grand scale plus a few additional surprises, the enormous 2 storey gate, lovely gardens and a dramatic European style aqueduct.

Many of the attractions of this temple are free to access and walk around. There are many small temples all through Japans cities but there is just one I am covering in central Kyoto and that is because of my love of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. Rokkakudo is located on Karasuma-dori not far from Nishiki market.

The temple has been managed by Priests of the Ikenobo family since ancient times, the masters of Ikebana. Drink from the blessed waters and if you are lucky enough to time it right the blue dragon festival days are not to be missed. Filled with life size golden bodhisattva statues, it is absolutely amazing.

For me Sanjusangendo is a must see , we came across nothing else like it in our travels across Japan. These two are south of the station, one in walking distance, the other best accessed via the subway lines. Sponsored The art of sharing places: New Hampshire Jul 16, Faka'apa'apa Apr 22, Top Regions. North Carolina. Puerto Rico. United States. Top Cities View All Destinations. Buenos Aires. Dallas-Fort Worth. Mexico City. Trending Regions. Trending Cities. Our Trips. Travel Map. About Matador Careers Advertise.

More like this. Budget Travel 8 ways to save money on your trip to Kyoto. What did you think of this story? This is done by throwing a coin into the box as an offering, bowing deeply twice, clapping twice, bowing again and then praying. Ema are wooden plates where people leave their wishes in the hope they will come true. Mostly they are in Japanese, of course, but at some of the more popular temples we found a few left by tourists in English and Spanish.

Omikuji are paper fortunes that can be bought at both shrines and temples we got one from a vending machine at the Golden Temple. The fortunes range from great good luck to great bad luck. There are places to tie the fortunes to avert the bad luck if you are unlucky enough to draw that fortune.

If you get a good fortune, keep it with you. Kyoto temples are called Tera or Ji. Buddhist temple complexes feature entrance gates, but they are usually dark wood rather than the red torii gates of shrines and they are bigger structures. There are a number of buildings including the main hall and often a pagoda where the remains of the Buddha or representation of are stored.

There is also a bell which is rung at New Year. Worshippers pray at the sacred object after making an offering into the coin box. Incense is often burned. Many temples have beautiful gardens featuring ponds, raked gravel Zen gardens, rock gardens, and peaceful walkways. It was a fairly common feature to find ponds or pots to throw money into—testing your aiming skills in search of good luck. The iconic Golden Temple is one of the most famous Kyoto temples and we were prepared for it to be overrated.

The pavilion features three unique styles of architecture—the first floor is palace style, the second in the style of a samurai house, and the third is Zen temple style. The top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. We got there early before the worst of the crowds and found the leafy gardens a peaceful place to wander.

Details: yen entry fee. There are no train stations nearby. You could cycle here like we did , take a taxi, or get the bus or from Kyoto Station at least 40 minutes. A wonderful escape from the city is to take the train 30 minutes north to Kibune or Kurama. We started at the small riverside village of Kibune, visited the shrine there, then walked across the valley to Kurama-dera.

This gorgeous temple was a wonderful reward after the steep minute climb it felt like longer! It has the best location of all the temples we visited, entirely surrounded by forest-covered hills with expansive views. The main hall is a cheerful red with large white lanterns and there are tiny Zen rock gardens throughout the complex.

Hike over the mountain then return on the same line from Kurama Station or just take the train to Kurama. If you only have one day in Kyoto, you could spend it temple-hopping through these temples from south to north and up to Northern Higashiyama we always do it on foot. One of the most popular temples in Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera is usually crowded with school and tour groups and the many souvenir shops add a more commercial air.

Visit at opening to avoid the crowds or during one of the special night illuminations that take place in March, April, and November. The large wooden main hall was built without nails and houses a statue of the eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon. One of the most interesting things about the temple is the Tainai-meguri to the left of the temple entrance.

After taking off your shoes, you enter a dark hallway and continue into complete pitch blackness. Apparently, you are figuratively entering the womb of Daizuigu Bosatsu, a female Bodhisattva who has the power to grant wishes. After a few minutes in darkness, you reach a gently lit large round stone where you place your hand to make a wish. Walking up through the atmospheric lanes full of souvenir shops is part of the fun.

The Zen Buddhist temple was established in The main hall features beautiful artwork and painted screen doors. It overlooks a raked gravel garden with a weeping cherry tree. Details: yen entry fee or yen combo ticket with Entoku-in.

Entoku-in is a sub-temple of Kodai-ji with a small karesansui dry stone garden and some beautiful screen paintings. We enjoyed the interactive elements—make your own miniature raked stone garden, trace a Buddha picture or sutra, or try zazen meditation.

You can also take part in a tea ceremony overlooking another small stone garden at the end of your visit yen at the table including a fan or yen if you sit on the floor. Details: yen entry fee or yen combo ticket with Kodai-ji.

Open 10 am — 5 pm. Kennin-ji is another quieter temple in Gion. It was founded in and is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. The main building overlooks a large raked gravel garden, one of the best we visited.

There are lots of small rooms where you can admire screen paintings and you can walk in the gardens to an old teahouse. Gion Shijo is the nearest station. You enter through a huge torii gate one of the tallest in Japan. Details: Free entry.