Type something to search...
to navigateto selectESC to close

Kyoto

Jojakko Ji Temple Arashiyama

Jojakko-ji Temple is a quaint temple on the main Arashiyama tourist route that offers a chance to escape the crowds that plague the rest of the area. ![Jojakko-ji Temple](https://photos.smugmug.com/p

Read More

Kennin Ji Temple

The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, Kennin-ji Temple is an oasis of calm on the edge of Gion with a superb Zen garden. ![Kennin-ji Temple](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-C6K9nvW/0/7012d37e/L/i-C6K9n

Read More

Kinkaku Ji Temple The Golden Pavilion

Kinkaku-ji, the famed "Golden Pavilion," is Kyoto's most iconic sight. It's well worth a visit, just try to pick a time when the crowds aren't there. ![Kinkaku-ji golden temple pavilion](https://phot

Read More

Kiyomizu Dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera Temple is one of Kyoto's must-see attractions. It's a bustling riot of commerce and schlock, but it's a lot of fun, especially for the kids. ![Kiyomizu-dera Temple](https://photos.smugm

Read More

Kodai Ji Temple

Often overlooked by tourists, Kodai-ji Temple is one of the finest temples in the Southern Higashiyama Area. ![Kodai ji temple in autumn](https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-z8jPbbj/0/4a75d517/L/i-z8

Read More

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 /

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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.

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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](

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More
Travel guide
Kyoto castles and palaces
Kyoto districts
Kyoto geisha
Kyoto gardens
Kyoto hotels
Machiya
Kyoto itineraries
Kyoto eat and drink
Kyoto onsen
Kyoto top things to do
Kyoto museums buildings
Kyoto romantic
Kyoto ryokan
Shinto shrines
Kyoto temples
Kyoto walking tours
Tags