9 of the Best Shrines and Temples in Kyoto

There’s no doubt that Fushimi Inari is the most famous shrine in Kyoto. At the entry you’ll find the actual shrine buildings, which are impressive on their own. But it’s really the thousands of crimson torii gates behind them that draw millions of visitors every single year. (We’ve all seen the photos!)

However, what some people perhaps don’t realize is that these stunning torii gates actually line a network of trails on Mt. Inari. The main trail, the one to the summit, is uphill all the way through and takes a few hours to complete. And if you make it far enough along the trail—there are plenty of guided tours available—you can even pop by one of the little restaurants for some rest and a bite to eat.

Spend a morning at Kiyomizu-dera, one of the top Kyoto temples to visit in the springtime (and beyond). Though the temple itself is stunning in its own right, it’s actually Kiyomizu-dera’s wooden deck and its views that draw the crowds. Jutting out from the temple and its accompanying mountain, this deck offers awe-inspiring views of the city of Kyoto all year round. But the views are particularly special in spring—when the cherry blossom trees come to life—and fall, when the maple trees start to change color.

One of the best tips for visiting temples in Kyoto is even more important at Kiyomizu-dera: Go early to avoid the crowds. By the afternoon and evening, there’ll be lots of people milling around, so opt for morning visits when possible.

There’s no doubt that Kinkakuji is one of the must-see temples in Kyoto, Japan, and this goldleaf-covered temple really lives up to its name, which translates to “Temple of the Golden Pavilion.” However, it’s not the original structure. This Kyoto Buddhist temple was originally built around the turn of the 14th century, but it has burned down quite a few times over the centuries—most recently in 1950. Today’s iteration was the version that was rebuilt in 1955.

Even so, the architecture is a marvel. As if the shiny exterior wasn’t enough, Kinkakuji also showcases three different styles of Japanese design: shinden, samurai, and zen, one per floor. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed inside the temple itself, but you can stroll the grounds and get peeks of these design choices along the way.

In the same complex as the Kinkakuji also lies the Ginkakuji—which appropriately translates to “Temple of the Silver Pavilion” to match its golden sister structure. But while Kinkakuji is bright and bold with its gold adornments, Ginkakuji doesn’t have any sort of silver plating. Though that was in the project back in the 1400s, the Onin War put a stop to those plans and they were never revived.

However, in an ironic and wonderful turn of events, it’s now that very understatedness that makes this temple stand out; so, while you’re there, be sure to admire the thoughtfully crafted wooden structure and its aptly named “Sea of Silver Sand” sand garden.

No Kyoto shrine guide would be complete without the Heian Shrine. Built in 1895, it’s one of the newer sacred sites in the city, designed to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto’s establishment. It was therefore dedicated to the city’s first and last emperors: Emperor Kammu (AD 737–806) and Emperor Komei (1831–1867).

Given the huge importance of the structure, the designers and construction workers really went all out, as you’ll be able to appreciate during a visit. Here, admire the entry torii gate and the Imperial Palace building replica, the wisteria blooms, and the weeping variety of cherry trees—and that’s just the beginning.

Though often overlooked in favor of some of the bigger or sparklier sites, Ryoanji deserves its spot among the best shrines and temples in Kyoto. The star is its lovely rock garden, one that’s simple but impeccably designed.

Somehow the landscape was arranged in such a way that at least one of the feature rocks is always hidden from any given point of view—and you can test the claim for yourself while you’re there. On top of all of that, part of the garden’s appeal is its mystery—no one knows what it means, who designed it, or when.

Located within Kyoto’s Gion entertainment and geisha district, Kennin-ji is considered to be one of the most important Zen Buddhist temples in the city. As a matter of fact, it claims to be the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, built back in 1202.

While the history is one part of Kennin-ji’s claim to fame, it’s really the dragon artwork throughout the grounds that draws in the visitors—specifically, the pair of dragons painted on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall building. Spend some time strolling the grounds and snapping pictures of the incredible art pieces before exploring the rest of the city.

The Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is one of many dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, a 9th-century scholar and politician who many believe was unfairly exiled. After a series of disasters—from floods to droughts—the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was the first court-ordered shrine of several built in his honor, in the hopes of appeasing his spirit.

Today, the shrine is known for its gorgeous plum tree grove. Each February and March, these 2,000 trees bloom with bursts of pink and white flowers. And in the fall, the beauty doesn’t stop, with the maple trees flourishing into shades of yellow, orange, and red.

There are lots of features that can make a temple stand out—its structure, its decor, its surrounding gardens. But for the Sanjusangendo Temple in Eastern Kyoto, it’s the 1,001 human-sized statues. All created to depict Kannon, the Japanese Buddhist goddess of mercy, the thousand statues look like a gold-plated army, standing side by side on tiered steps.

The statues were originally created back in the 12th century, but most were destroyed in a fire about a decade later. Today, just 124 are from the original batch of statues, with the remainder having been replaced in the 13th century.