Temples and shrines in Kyoto

Kyoto’s spiritual landscape is defined by centuries of Buddhist and Shinto heritage. This list highlights sixteen key sites, including UNESCO-recognized monuments like the gold-covered Kinkaku-ji and the wooden stage of Kiyomizu-dera. It features the iconic vermilion torii gates of Fushimi Inari-taisha, the 17th-century fortification of Nijō Castle, and the ancient Kamo shrines dating back to the 7th century. From the Zen gardens of Ginkakuji to the sprawling Rinzai complex of Myōshinji, these locations represent the architectural evolution and religious history of Japan's former capital.

Kyoto's Temples and Shrines — Map

A

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion Temple)

Zen Buddhist temple featuring a gold-leaf-covered pavilion and historic gardens. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and architectural significance.

Jakub Hałun / GFDL

B

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Shinto shrine with a history of over 1300 years, renowned for thousands of vermilion torii gates leading up a sacred mountain. It serves as the head shrine of Inari worship and features traditional Japanese architecture.

Jordy Meow / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Historic Buddhist temple known for its large wooden stage and scenic views, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

BriYYZ / CC BY-SA 2.0

D

Former Imperial Villa Nijō Castle

Built in 1603, this castle belongs to one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World…

Oilstreet / CC BY 2.5

E

Ginkakuji Temple

A Zen temple from the 15th century AD. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, with famous decorative sand patterns, trees, and ponds, said…

Kanchi1979 / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine is one of the Kanpei-taisha, which means that it is highly supported by the government. Its history dates back to 656.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

G

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryū-ji, formally known as Tenryū Shiseizen-ji, is the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, located in…

Atelier Verde / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

To-ji Temple

Tō-ji Temple, also known as Kyō-ō-gokoku-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple in the Minami-ku ward of Kyoto, Japan.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

I

Ninna-ji temple

A head temple of Omuro school of Buddhism consists of impressive buildings and tranquil gardens.

Tomomarusan / CC BY 2.5

J

Shimogamo-jinga Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine is an important Shinto sanctuary in the Shimogamo district of Kyoto city's Sakyō ward. Its formal name is Kamo-mioya-jinja.

Fg2 / Public domain

K

Kamigamo Shrine

Kamigamo Shrine is an important Shinto sanctuary on the banks of the Kamo River in north Kyoto, first founded in 678.

Reggaeman / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Saihoji Temple

Saihō-ji is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in Matsuo, Nishikyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

M

Kitano Tenman-gū Shrine

A Buddhist Shinto shrine that is over 1000 years old. In this very shrine, an actual person was proclaimed god a long time ago.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

N

Kouzanji Temple

Kōzan-ji, officially Toganōsan Kōsan-ji, is a Buddhist temple of the Omuro sect of Shingon Buddhism in Umegahata Toganōchō, Ukyō Ward,…

Nekosuki / CC BY-SA 4.0

O

Shimo Daigo

Daigo-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Its main devotion is Yakushi.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

P

Myōshinji Temple

Myōshin-ji is a temple complex in Kyoto, Japan, which serves as the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism.

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