10 of the Most Incredible Temples and Shrines to Visit in Kyoto, Japan

The city of Kyoto, Japan is home to over 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines to visit. This is one of the main reasons it is a popular city to visit as it makes for a great place to learn about Japanese history and traditions.

With so many different temples and shrines to visit, it can be difficult to choose which ones to visit during a short stay. The most popular ones are spread throughout the city and are best enjoyed earlier in the morning before the crowds come. You are best off planning to visit one popular temple or shrine along with a couple of smaller ones to beat the crowds!

Continue reading to explore some of the most amazing temples to visit in Kyoto, Japan!

**Please note that this blog post uses affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my link, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Temple and Shrine Etiquette

As a tourist, it is important to respect the local religions and traditions. This is increasingly important if you are to visit sacred grounds at temples and shrines in Kyoto.

There are many things to know before visiting, but a few key ones include:

1. Rinse your hands at the purification fountain near the entrance of shrines.
2. Look out for signs that display rules. Many places have restrictions on photography, especially inside buildings.
3. Don’t walk down the middle of the path – stick to the sides.
4. Wear respectful clothing.
5. Remove your shoes before entering buildings where required.

Best Temples to Visit in Kyoto, Japan

Kinkaku-ji

Kinkaku-ji, also referred to as the Golden Pavilion, is one of the most popular buildings in the city of Kyoto. The shiny, golden temple is located within a stunning garden. The water surrounding the temple creates a serene atmosphere. This was by far my favourite temple I visited in Kyoto!

Tenryuji Temple

Tenryuji Temple is a gorgeous temple complex to visit in Kyoto. The buildings on the grounds have a history of being burnt down and lost in wars, then being rebuilt over the centuries. The buildings are surrounded by a well-landscaped garden that is stunning to walk through!

Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji is a beautiful temple complex located in Eastern Kyoto. It is situated at the base of the Higashiyama mountains. The area is free of charge to visit, though some buildings require admission to enter. It is a stunning place to visit during the fall as the leaves change colours!

Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari Shrine is a stunning shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. It is one of the most popular shrines to visit in Kyoto due to the path lined by a thousand torii. It has become a really popular destination for Instagrammers and bloggers to take photos.

Yasaka Shrine

Founded over 1300 years ago, Yasaka Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in the city of Kyoto. The buildings are a stunning bright orange colour, with greens throughout.

Ginkaku-ji Temple (Higashiyama Jisho-ji Temple)

Ginkakuji, also known as the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, is a stunning temple located in Northern Kyoto. It is a popular place to visit not just for the temple, but for the nearby “Philosophers’ Walk”. It is a stunning walking route, named after the philosophers who visited in the past.

Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera is a stunning temple in Eastern Kyoto to visit and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most famous temples to visit in Kyoto!

Kodai-ji Temple

Kodai-ji Temple is located in a stunning temple complex at the foot of the mountains. There is a beautiful garden with little bridges across water. There are multiple buildings on the ground that are lit up during the evening to make a beautiful scene.

Ninna-ji Temple

This is one of the best temples to visit in Kyoto due to the stunning pagoda on the temple grounds. It was originally built as a summer home for the Emperor.

Kitano Tenmangū

Kitano Tenmangū is a beautiful Shinto shrine in Kyoto that is among the most popular shrines to visit. Locals and tourists alike visit the shrine to pray for successes in studies and scholarship pursuits.

Special Mention: Nijō Castle

Well, Nijō Castle isn’t a temple nor a shrine, but it is worth adding as a special mention to visit as well. The castle grounds are stunning and the buildings have really fascinating architecture. I ended up wandering through here for over an hour!

How to Get to Kyoto

The closest airport to Kyoto is Osaka International Airport, around 40km from Kyoto. From here, you can pre-schedule an airport shuttle, get a taxi, or navigate public transport to get to the city.

Alternatively, if you are based in Tokyo, you can travel to Kyoto by the Shinkansen (bullet train).

Where to Stay in Kyoto

When visiting Kyoto for the first time, the downtown area is typically the best place to stay. Here, you’ll find many bars, restaurants, and shops everywhere you turn. If you are looking for more budget-friendly accommodations, look for hotels near transit stations further away from downtown. The transit system is affordable and really easy to navigate!

Conclusion

Kyoto is filled with so many incredible temples to visit that it can be challenging to choose which ones to go to. If you are visiting the city for longer than a few days, I definitely recommend exploring more temples around the city as well. But if not, hopefully this list inspires you to visit some of the top ones during your stay!

What are your favourite temples to visit in Kyoto, Japan? Let me know about your experience in the comments!

Be sure to Pin this post for later!

You might also like:

• Tips For Your First Trip to Thailand
• One Week Japan Itinerary
• The Best Temples to Visit in Chiang Mai
• A Vegetarian’s Guide to Chiang Mai

Subscribe to my blog to get updates on my latest posts!