Temples in Kyoto

40 places across 11 neighbourhoods, 8 of them free to enter, the most featured first.

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  1. Temple · Kiyomizu-Gojo

    Kiyomizu-dera 清水寺

    Founded in 780 on the Otowa waterfall in the eastern hills and part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 20 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  2. Temple · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano

    Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) 金閣寺（鹿苑寺）

    Formally Rokuon-ji, the former retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf.

    Kinkakuji-michi bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 204, 205), 7 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  3. Temple · Okazaki

    Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) 銀閣寺（慈照寺）

    Built in 1482 as the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa and converted into a Zen temple after his death.

    Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 5, 17), 10 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  4. Temple · Arashiyama

    Tenryu-ji 天龍寺

    Founded in 1339 by shogun Ashikaga Takauji and ranked first among Kyoto's five great Zen temples.

    Arashiyama (Keifuku Arashiyama Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  5. Temple · Kiyomizu-Gojo

    Sanjusangen-do 三十三間堂

    The popular name of Rengeo-in, founded in 1164.

    Shichijo (Keihan Main Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  6. Temple · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano

    Ryoan-ji 龍安寺

    A Zen temple converted from an aristocrat's villa in 1450, known for its rock garden of 15 rocks set in raked pebbles, viewed from the Hojo.

    Ryoanji (Keifuku Kitano Line), 10 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  7. Temple · Okazaki

    Nanzen-ji 南禅寺

    Head temple of one of the schools of Rinzai Zen, at the foot of the Higashiyama hills.

    Keage (Tozai Line), 7 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  8. Temple · Kyoto Station

    To-ji 東寺

    Founded at the start of the Heian period as one of two guardian temples at the capital's south entrance, To-ji is part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

    Toji (Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 6 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  9. Temple · Fushimi

    Tofuku-ji 東福寺

    A large Rinzai Zen temple founded in 1236 and known for its autumn colours seen from the covered Tsutenkyo bridge.

    Tofukuji (JR Nara Line, Keihan Main Line), 10 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  10. Temple · Gion

    Kodai-ji 高台寺

    A Rinzai Zen temple founded in the early 1600s by Nene in memory of her husband Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

    Gion-Shijo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  11. Temple · Okazaki

    Eikan-do (Zenrin-ji) 永観堂

    A Jodo sect temple north of Nanzen-ji known for its autumn colours, its hillside Tahoto pagoda and a statue of the Amida Buddha with his head turned to the side.

    Keage (Tozai Line), 15 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  12. Temple · Kyoto Station

    Nishi Hongan-ji 西本願寺

    Head temple of the Honganji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, built in 1591 under Toyotomi Hideyoshi and part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

    Kyoto (JR lines, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 45 min

  13. Temple · Kyoto Station

    Higashi Hongan-ji 東本願寺

    Head temple of the Otani branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, founded a few blocks east of Nishi Hongan-ji in 1602.

    Kyoto (JR lines, Karasuma Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line), 8 min walk · Free entry · 40 min

  14. Temple · Shijo-Karasuma

    Rokkaku-do (Choho-ji) 六角堂

    A small Tendai temple in the business district named after its hexagonal main hall.

    Karasuma Oike (Karasuma Line, Tozai Line), 5 min walk · Free entry · 15 min

  15. Temple · Kawaramachi

    Honno-ji 本能寺

    The rebuilt successor of the temple where Oda Nobunaga died in 1582, now on Teramachi-dori near Kyoto City Hall.

    Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae (Tozai Line), 3 min walk · Paid entry · 30 min

  16. Temple · Gion

    Kennin-ji 建仁寺

    A Zen temple at the southern end of Hanamikoji, founded by Eisai, the monk who brought Zen and tea cultivation to Japan.

    Gion-Shijo (Keihan Main Line), 7 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  17. Temple · Gion

    Chion-in 知恩院

    Head temple of the Jodo sect, entered through a Sanmon gate 24 m tall and 50 m wide from the early 1600s.

    Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  18. Temple · Okazaki

    Shoren-in 青蓮院

    A Tendai temple at the foot of the Higashiyama hills whose head priests were traditionally members of the imperial family.

    Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  19. Temple · Kiyomizu-Gojo

    Rokuharamitsu-ji 六波羅蜜寺

    A temple between the Kamo river and Higashiyama whose treasure hall holds Heian and Kamakura period sculpture, including the standing statue of the monk Kuya.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 7 min walk · Paid entry · 30 min

  20. Temple · Okazaki

    Honen-in 法然院

    A small temple a short walk east of the Philosopher's Path, entered through a thatched gate between raked sand mounds.

    Ginkakuji-michi bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 5, 17), 12 min walk · Free entry · 20 min

  21. Temple · Arashiyama

    Gio-ji 祇王寺

    A small temple in the Sagano hills known for its moss garden punctuated with maple trees, a thatched entrance gate and a thatched main hall with a round window.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 25 min walk · Paid entry · 30 min

  22. Temple · Arashiyama

    Jojakko-ji 常寂光寺

    A hillside temple founded in 1596 north of the bamboo grove, with paths and steps through maples and moss and views over Kyoto from several points.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 20 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  23. Temple · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano

    Ninna-ji 仁和寺

    Founded in 888 by the reigning emperor and long headed by members of the imperial family, Ninna-ji is part of the UNESCO Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

    Omuro-Ninnaji (Keifuku Kitano Line), 3 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  24. Temple · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano

    Daitoku-ji 大徳寺

    A walled Zen temple complex founded in 1319 with nearly two dozen subtemples.

    Kitaoji (Karasuma Line), 15 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h 30 min

  25. Temple · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano

    Myoshin-ji 妙心寺

    A large Rinzai Zen complex with about 50 subtemples.

    Hanazono (JR Sagano Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  26. Temple · Kiyomizu-Gojo

    Yasaka Koshin-do 八坂庚申堂（金剛寺）

    A small temple, formally Kongo-ji, just below the Yasaka Pagoda, hung with thousands of colourful cloth balls called kukurizaru.

    Kiyomizu-Gojo (Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Free entry · 15 min

  27. Temple · Kiyomizu-Gojo

    Chishaku-in 智積院

    The head temple of the Chizan branch of Shingon Buddhism, at the east end of Shichijo-dori.

    Shichijo (Keihan Main Line), 14 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  28. Temple · Okazaki

    Shinnyo-do (Shinsho Gokuraku-ji) 真如堂（真正極楽寺）

    A Tendai temple founded in 984 by a priest from Enryaku-ji, on a low hill between Okazaki and Yoshida.

    Shinnyodo-mae bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 5), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  29. Temple · Okazaki

    Konchi-in 金地院

    A subtemple of Nanzen-ji, moved to its present site in the early 1600s, with the Crane and Turtle dry garden created in 1632 by the tea master Kobori Enshu for a planned visit by the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.

    Keage (Tozai Line), 6 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  30. Temple · Okazaki

    Konkai Komyo-ji (Kurodani) 金戒光明寺（くろ谷）

    A head temple of the Jodo sect founded in 1175 by Honen, on a hill north of Okazaki, known locally as Kurodani.

    Okazaki-michi bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 5), 7 min walk · Free entry · 45 min

  31. Temple · Arashiyama

    Adashino Nenbutsu-ji 化野念仏寺

    A Jodo sect temple at the top of the Saga-Toriimoto street, on ground used for burials since the Heian period.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 29 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  32. Temple · Arashiyama

    Otagi Nenbutsu-ji 愛宕念仏寺

    A temple on the wooded slope beyond Saga-Toriimoto, covered with about 1,200 stone rakan statues, each with a different expression, carved by novice sculptors during a decade of restoration from 1981.

    Otagidera-mae bus stop (Kyoto Bus 94), 1 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  33. Temple · Arashiyama

    Daikaku-ji 大覚寺

    A former villa of Emperor Saga, converted into a temple in 876 and long headed by members of the imperial family.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 20 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  34. Temple · Arashiyama

    Nison-in 二尊院

    A Tendai temple founded in the mid 9th century on the hillside north of the bamboo grove, with large halls looking out over the city.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 19 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  35. Temple · Arashiyama

    Seiryo-ji (Saga Shakado) 清凉寺（嵯峨釈迦堂）

    A temple in Saga dating from the Heian period, known as Saga Shakado after its principal image, a standing Shaka Buddha designated a National Treasure.

    Saga-Arashiyama (JR Sagano Line), 14 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

  36. Temple · Nijo Castle

    Mibu-dera 壬生寺

    A Ritsu sect temple founded in 991, south-west of Nijo Castle, long visited for protection from misfortune.

    Omiya (Hankyu Kyoto Line), 9 min walk · Free entry · 40 min

  37. Temple · Imperial Palace

    Shokoku-ji 相国寺

    A large Rinzai Zen temple north of the Imperial Palace, head of the school that also runs Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji.

    Imadegawa (Karasuma Line), 8 min walk · Free entry · 1 h

  38. Temple · Fushimi

    Sennyu-ji 泉涌寺

    A Shingon temple on the wooded slopes of the Higashiyama hills, known as Mitera, the imperial family's temple, because many emperors are buried in the imperial mausoleum behind it, including Emperor Komei.

    Tofukuji (JR Nara Line, Keihan Main Line), 15 min walk · Paid entry · 1 h

  39. Temple · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano

    Toji-in 等持院

    The family temple of the Ashikaga shoguns, founded by Ashikaga Takauji, at the foot of Mount Kinugasa.

    Tojiin (Keifuku Kitano Line), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 45 min

  40. Temple · Kinkaku-ji and Kitano

    Senbon Shakado (Daiho-on-ji) 千本釈迦堂（大報恩寺）

    A temple founded in 1221 whose main hall, completed in 1227, survived the Onin War and is the oldest wooden building in the old city of Kyoto, designated a National Treasure.

    Kamishichiken bus stop (Kyoto City Bus 50), 5 min walk · Paid entry · 40 min

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