It was inaugurated by the Cloistered Emperor Kameyama in during the Kamakura period. It is one of the most popular locations for the beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and autumn colors in the fall. Enjoy the cultural properties at Nanzenji Nanzenji is a designated National Historic Site, and there are many Cultural Properties on the temple grounds. The view of northwest Kyoto from the upper floor of the gate known as Gohoro at a height of 22 meters is very popular.
The garden is listed as a World Heritage Site. As a karesansui, or dry landscape, garden, sand is used to represent the sea, its waves represented by lines drawn in the sand using a rake. The stones are said to represent mountains and islands. Tenryu-ji Temple, a World Heritage site with the spectacular Unryu-zu image of the cloud dragon and a garden from years ago Tenryu-ji Temple once contained all of the Arashiyama area.
The beauty of a Japanese painting Founded by Ashikaga Takauji in , Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge and Kameyama Park among other places were within the temple grounds. Burned down by fire 8 times, the buildings were mostly re-built in around A temple with great history marked by its five-story pagoda, the landmark of the ancient Kyoto Roughly about a minute walk from Kyoto Station. Surrounded by modern buildings of the city center, Toji exudes an atmosphere as though time stopped flowing at some point.
Established 1, years ago, it is the first Esoteric Buddhist temple in Japan. Experience the unusual and distinctive world views expressed at this temple Forever the landmark of Kyoto It is believed that Toji was built when Emperor Kanmu relocated to the ancient capital the present day Kyoto, then called Heiankyo in It was later given to a monk named Kukai, who had returned to Japan after studying new Buddhism and Esoteric Buddhism in China, by the subsequently enthroned Emperor Saga.
Since its establishment, it has continued to prosper as the headquarters of Esoteric Buddhist practices in Japan and still exists. It is also known as the birthplace of ikebana and the safekeeping place for a handwritten sutra written by the Emperor, and is a temple with an Imperial relationship which can relate Japanese culture to future generations. This is a moss garden that is a lush green thanks to the rainy season, and the contrast of red and green during the fall is beautiful.
Reservations are necessary to see Koke-dera, a place which has been said to have been visited by Steve Jobs many times incognito. Koke-dera, a World Heritage site Reportedly founded by the Buddhist priest Gyouki in the s, the temple was destroyed by war and floods after which it was rebuilt by Soseki Muso as a Rinzai sect temple in It has been registered as a World Heritage site. Viewing is by reservation only.
Tofuku-ji Temple whose buildings have been designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties The temple has plenty of highlights including 25 sub-temples and a rock garden. 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.
Look out for special night viewings and temple illuminations - inquire at the Kyoto tourist office. Adashino Nenbutsuji - known for its thousands of unmarked grave stones in Arashiyama. Anrakuji - pretty, petite temple and garden off the Philosopher's Walk in Higashiyama.
Anyoji Temple - is a small Jodo sect temple near Maruyama Park. Chionin Temple - known for its huge gate and temple bell. Chionji Temple - holds a popular flea market selling arts and crafts on the 15th of each month. Chishakuin Temple - famous for its exquisite gardens. Chorakuji Temple - displays some priceless Buddhist statues and is known for its autumn leaves. Daikakuji Temple - lakeside Buddhist temple in western Kyoto near Arashiyama. Daitokuji Temple - famous Kyoto temple associated with the tea ceremony.
Eikando Temple - Tendai-sect temple celebrated for its autumn leaves. Enryakuji Temple - large temple complex on the summit of Mt. Entsuji Temple - known for its borrowed landscape or shakkei. Funda-in - or more commonly, Sesshuji, is a small sub-temple of Tofukuji, containing a garden by Sesshu.
Gansenji Temple - a rural, mountain temple dating from the 8th century with pagoda and garden. Gantokuji Temple - a small Tendai-sect temple in the Oharano district of south west Kyoto home to a seated image of Kannon, a National Treasure.
Gioji Temple - a small nunnery in Saga-Arashiyama and a retreat for the former lovers of a famous warrior of the Taira clan. Temple buildings open 9 am — 4 pm. The closest subway station is Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Line. You can see the massive Sanmon entrance gate, a large brick aqueduct built during the Meiji period, and walk up the hill into the forest to visit the simple shrine Nanzen-ji Oku-no-in beside a small waterfall.
You can also pay to enter some of the sub-temples. We visited Tenjuan and had the beautiful gardens to ourselves. Details: Grounds are free. The nearest subway station is Keage Station on the Tozai line. Along the way you can stop at the small, peaceful temple Honen-in.
Follow the path up to a shady mossy section within the forest and admire the temple from above. The street leading up to the temple is packed with touristy shops selling green tea ice cream, rice crackers, pickles, pretty fans, and other souvenirs.
Open 8. If you want to escape the crowds in Kyoto, I highly recommend heading to Yoshida Hill near Kyoto University where there are a cluster of peaceful shrines and temples all with free entry. We started at Takenaka Inari Shrine which is small but well worth visiting in sakura season to see the line of torii gates framed by cherry blossom trees. You could also approach it in the opposite direction from the Kamo River— Demachiyanagi Station is a minute walk away.
If you make it to Yoshida-Jinja you might as well continue to these next two temples as they are only a minute walk away and are equally quiet and free. Shinnyodo is a large temple complex featuring a huge hondo main hall , various other buildings, and a pond.
To get to the next temple, we walked down the hill through the neighbouring graveyard, which has great views of the city. Details: Free entry to grounds. Also known as Kurodani Temple, Konkai-Komyoji is a large complex with an impressive grand entrance gate and staircase lined with cherry trees. Amongst the wooden buildings in the complex is a large main hall that was originally built in and rebuilt in This was the last of our Yoshida Hill temple tour.
We took a taxi to the Kamo River but you could also walk. In the far southeast of the city reached by a short train trip to Inari is Fushimi Inari Taisha, our favourite Kyoto shrine. If you are a fan of torii gates, this special place is a must. Thousands of bright orange toriis form passageways and snake up through the forest into the mountains—the orange vibrant against the green backdrop. They just keep going on and on.
It takes us about an hour and a half to complete the circuit, but you could easily spend two or three hours exploring all the little shrines along the way. The toriis are donated by individuals and companies, whose names are written on them in black.
Along the way we passed small shrines with fox stone statues and mini torii gates—the fox is considered the messenger of Inari, the god of the rice harvest. Fushimi Inari is a wonderful place where nature is intertwined with spirituality.
Make sure you go early preferably before 7 am to experience it in peace as it gets insanely crowded during the day. Details: Free entry and open 24 hours. Tofuku-ji is a large Zen temple one train stop or a minute walk from the popular Fushimi Inari shrine. You can wander the grounds for free or pay to enter two areas—the Hojo Gardens and the Tsutenkyo Bridge which leads to the Kaisando Hall. Details: Free grounds.
The nearest train station is Tofukuji. Sanjusangendo is the popular name for Rengeoin temple. It houses human-sized gold statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, along with a giant wooden statue of a armed Kannon that dates back to the s. The nearest train station is Shichijo.
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