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Kyoto

Koke Dera Kyotos Moss Temple

Koke-dera, which means "Moss Temple" is one of the most aptly named temples in Kyoto. It's a lush green paradise than can only be visited by application. ![Koke-dera (Saiho-ji or "Moss") Temple, Kyot

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Konchi In Temple Northern Higashiyama

Konchi-in Temple is one of the finer small temples in the Northern Higashiyama Sightseeing district. The garden alone is worth the price of admission. ![Konchi-in Temple. Editorial credit: shikema /

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Koto Subtemple

Koto-in Subtemple is probably the most atmospheric of the many great subtemples of Daitoku-ji Temple. The garden is highly recommended. We talk about Daitoku-ji Temple, but like

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Kozan Ji Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kosan-ji Temple is the least appealing of the three main temples in Takao, but it's still worth a visit for the huge cedars that line the approach. ![Kozan-ji Temple ima

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Kurama Dera Mountain Temple

Kurama-dera Mountain Temple is easily the best day- or half-day trip out of Kyoto. High on the shoulder of Mt. Kurama, you can feel the power of nature up here. Kurama is a small mountain village tuc

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Kurodani Konkai Komyo Ji

Konkaikomyo-ji Temple, better known as Kurodani, is a superb and rarely visited (by tourists) temple on Yoshida-yama Hill, a short walk from the Path of Philosophy in Northern Higashiyama. ![Kurodani

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Kyoto Photo Two Girls Kimono Taizo Subtemple

Myoshin-ji Temple is a walled-in world of Zen temples that easily merits a half-day or even full day of leisurely exploring. ![image copyright Damien Douxchamps](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Kyot

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Manshu In Temple Northern Higashiyama

A small gem of a temple well to the north of the "beaten path," Manshu-in rewards the visitor with a fine garden, brilliant architecture and superb decorations. ![Manshu-in. Editorial credit: shikema

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Mt Daimonji Yama Hike Ginkaku Ji Temple

The one-hour roundtrip hike from Ginkaku-ji Temple up to the viewpoint on Mt. Daimonji-yama is the best short hike in Kyoto. The view of the city from here is incredible! Here is everything you need t

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Myoshin Ji Temple

Myoshin-ji Temple is a walled-in world of Zen temples that easily merits a half-day or even full day of leisurely exploring. ![image copyright Damien Douxchamps](https://photos.smugmug.com/Kyoto/Kyot

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Nanzen Ji Temple Northern Higashiyama

One of the best temples in the Northern Higashiyama district, Nanzen-ji Temple is a sprawling Zen paradise surrounded by lush green hills. ![Nanzen-ji Temple](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-GgQ3

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Ninna Ji Temple

Yet another sprawling temple compound in Northwest Kyoto, Ninna-ji Temple is a rarely visited temple that makes for long contemplative strolls. ![Ninna-ji Temple image copyright Damien Douxchamps](ht

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Nishi Hongan Ji Temple

Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple is a Pure Land Buddhist paradise within walking distance of Kyoto Station. It's one of the best sights in the Kyoto Station area. ![Nishi Hongan-ji temple](https://photos.smugm

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Nison In Temple

Nison-in Temple is a lovely Tendai sect Buddhist temple that is best known for its lovely maple- and cherry-lined arcade leading to the main halls. ![Nison-in temple](https://photos.smugmug.com/photo

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Otagi Nenbutsu Ji Temple

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji is a temple on the outskirts of Arashiyama with a collection of 1200 unique and whimsical statues. It's a rarely visited and interesting place that rewards the adventurous visitor.

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Rakushisha Poets Hut Arashiyama

This quaint hermit's cottage was once the home of one of haiku master Matsuo Basho's disciples. It's a good palate cleanser between the area temples. ![Rakushisha Poet's Hut image copyright Damien D

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Reikan Ji Temple Northern Higashiyama

Only open for two brief periods a year, Reikan-ji Temple is a must-see attraction if you're lucky enough to be in town when the gates are open. ![Reikan-ji Temple image copyright Damien Douxchamps](h

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Ryoan Ji Temple

Japan's most famous "Zen" garden consists of 15 carefully placed rocks that float mesmerizingly on sea of gravel -- an example of carefully calculated randomness. ![Ryoan-ji Temple](https://photos.sm

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Saimyo Ji Temple

A short distance up the river from Jingo-ji Temple, this fine (and free) pocket temple is a real charmer and should not be missed. When going to Jingo-ji Temple, when you get to th

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Sanjusangen Do Temple

With over 1000 images of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy, Sanjusangen-do Temple is one the most arresting sights in Kyoto. It's sort of like an angelic terracotta army. ![Sanjusangendo Temple](

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Sanzen In Temple

Sanzen-in is easily one of the best daytrips out of Kyoto -- a superb collection of Buddhist images hidden up in the hills north of the city. An easy 40-minute bus ride north of Kyoto in the impossib

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Sennyu Ji Temple

If you want to boast that you've been to a temple that no other tourist has visited, this is your spot: Sennyu-ji is a lovely temple hidden in the mountains above Kyoto. All the way up at the top of

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Shinyo Do Temple

Shinyo-do Temple is a beautiful temple located atop Yoshida-yama Hill. The main hall here is sublime and the ground is dotted with cherry and maple trees. Shinyo-do Temple will always be one of my fa

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Shisen Do Temple Northern Higashiyama

Another northern temple far from the beaten track, Shisen-do Temple is the perfect choice for visitors who want to escape the crowds that plague better known spots. ![Zen Karayo garden of Shisen-do t

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Shogunzuka Seiryuden Hike Chion Temple

One of the best short hikes in Kyoto is the easy 2-hour hike from Chion-in Temple in Southern Higashiyama up to the Shogunzuka viewpoint. It provides some incredible views over Kyoto. Here is everythi

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Shoren In Temple

One of our all-time favorite temples in Kyoto, Shoren-in is bypassed by almost all tourists and bus groups. ![Shoren-In Temple](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-FnQkmSb/0/cb50887c/L/i-FnQkmSb-L.jp

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Tenryu Ji Temple Arashiyama

Tenryu-ji Temple is the headline attraction in Arashiyama, a sprawling Zen temple with one of the finest gardens in Kyoto and wonderful mountain views. ![Tenryu-Ji Temple image copyright Damien Douxc

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To Ji Temple

The pagoda of To-ji Temple soars above the suburban sprawl of southern Kyoto, reassuring the visitor that there's still plenty of beauty left in the city. ![Aerial view of Kyoto city from Kodaiji tem

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Tofuku Ji Temple

One of the most attractive temples in Kyoto, Tofuku-ji Temple also has the advantage of not being very crowded UNLESS you come during the fall foliage season. ![Japanese zen garden of Tofuku-ji Templ

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Toji Temple Northwest Kyoto

This rarely visited temple in Northwest Kyoto is a hidden gem. The garden is superb, the halls are elegant and the teahouse is sublime. ![Toji-in Temple - Northwest Kyoto image copyright Damien Douxc

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