7 Temples and Shrines in Kyoto to Not Miss Out On

Feeling overwhelmed, trying to figure out which temples and shrines to visit in Kyoto? I got you! Known as the city of the 10,000 temples, it’s normal to not know where to start with Kyoto. I collaborated with fellow travel bloggers to share the temples and shrines we visited, along with our experiences and tips. In this list you will find Kyoto’s most iconic and important temples/shrines, as well as some lesser known ones.

As you will read soon, some of these temples and shrines are right in the city center, while others have a bit of a commute. Whether you are spending 2 days in Kyoto, or a week, these shrines and temples are fairly easy to include in your itinerary. Simply pick your personal “must-visits”, and enjoy Kyoto to the fullest!

Without further ado, here are 7 of the best temples and shrines to visit in Kyoto!😍👇

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Best Temples and Shrines to Visit in Kyoto

Yasaka Shrine

Located in the heart of Gion District, the Yasaka Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most iconic and important Shinto Shrines. This Shinto Shrine is over 1350 years old, and is famous for hosting the yearly Gion Matsuri – one Japan’s most important and largest festivals.

The Yasaka Shrine offers lots to see and admire, including the stunning and vibrant, Nishiromon Gate. The Nishiromon Gate welcomes you in the Yasaka Shrine, along with its two wooden “lion dog guardians”, Koma-inu, and vibrant red colors.

Something unique in the Yasaka Shrine is the Utsukushii Gozen-sha, a subsidiary shrine where people pray for beauty. Whether you do so by actually praying, or patting the “beauty water” on your skin (don’t exaggerate though😂), you can pray for beautiful skin, or a beautiful and pure heart.

The Yasaka Shrine is free to enter and open 24/7, making it a great shrine to visit at night and see lit up. Located in the heart of the Gion District, this is one of the most central shrines you can visit in Kyoto and is super easy to access.

If you want to dive deeper into the Gion District, Japanese culture, and the Yasaka shrine – this guided tour is perfect for you! This is one of the best guided walking tours in Kyoto, so make sure to book before it sells out.😍👇

Contributed by me, Laura Dolci Travels

Hokan-ji Temple | Yasaka Pagoda

Located in the historic heart of the Gion District, the Hokan-ji Temple is one of the most iconic sights of the district and in Kyoto. If you search up Gion District, the most typical photo you will see is of its 46-meter, or 5-story, tall Yasaka Pagoda – Kyoto’s most iconic tower.

The Hokan-ji Temple dates back to the late 6th-century, while its Yasaka Pagoda is a few years younger, dating back to the early 7th-century. Something mesmerizing about the 5-story-tall Pagoda is that no nails or screws were used to build it.

You’ll notice that most people only admire Yasaka Pagoda from outside while taking pictures from Ninenzaka Street. But guess what? You can actually enter the tower!

Open from 10 AM to 15 PM, you can enter the Tower of Yasaka for only 400 yen, roughly $2.77. When you enter, you can head up to the 2nd-floor and admire the tower’s architecture, and see a few statues and historic paintings.

Whether you visit indoors or admire from outside, the Yasaka Pagoda and Hokan-ji Temple, are a must-visit! This stunning temple is right next to Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, two of the most beautiful streets of Kyoto – making it an easy stop and place to reach!

Contributed by me, Laura Dolci Travels

Kinkaku-Ji

Kinkaku-Ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen Buddhist temple and one of the most famous sites.

I didn’t get the chance to visit on my previous trips since it’s a bit farther from the city center. But when I finally visited, it truly lived up to its reputation as one of Kyoto’s most iconic sites. The shimmering gold exterior, reflecting beautifully in the mirror pond, is breathtaking and definitely worth the visit.

Although it’s not a large site, the temple’s serene surroundings make it a peaceful retreat from the city’s hustle. The original structure dates back to the 14th century but was burned down during various conflicts. What you see today is a faithful reconstruction from 1955, preserving the elegance and history of the original.

From Kyoto city center (JR Kyoto Station), Kinkaku-Ji is about a 30-minute bus ride. If you’re up for some exercise, it’s also a pleasant bike ride through the city’s quieter neighborhoods – which adds an extra layer to the experience.

Kinkaku-Ji is beautiful in any season, whether you visit during the cherry blossoms of spring, the vibrant foliage of autumn, or the quiet snowfall of winter. The scenery shifts with each season, making it worth visiting no matter the time of year.

Open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM, the Kinkaku-ji Temple has an entry fee of 500 yen for adults, roughly $3, and 300 yen for kids, roughly $2.

Contributed by Kenny from Knycxjourneying.com

If you want to visit Kinkaku-Ji and other temples, or shrines, hassle-free while learning more – this day-long guided tour is perfect for you! This best-rated tour brings you to most of Kyoto’s main attractions and best temples and shrines. All you do is sit back and enjoy. This tour sells out quickly – book your tickets today to save your spot!😍👇

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Established in 771 AD, Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto’s most iconic Shinto shrines.

This shrine is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, agriculture, and business. What makes this shrine stand out are its thousands of bright orange-red torii gates, which form a stunning, 2.8 mile tunnel-like path up the mountain. As a fun fact, these gates are donations from individuals and businesses seeking blessings for success.

Scattered throughout the shrine grounds are numerous fox statues, which are believed to be the messengers of Inari. These statues add an undeniable mystical charm to the site.

During my visit, we arrived early in the morning to experience the tranquility of the shrine’s hiking trails. When we visited there were very few visitors, allowing us to soak in the serene atmosphere. I highly recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.

Located just a 10-minute ride from Kyoto Station via the JR Nara Line, Fushimi Inari is easily accessible for a day trip. Fushimi Inari is open every day, 24/7, and is free to enter!

Contributed by Carissa

If you want to visit early in the morning and be guided through the Fushimi Inari, as well as Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji, check out this best-rated morning tour!👇

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple was established in 1339 by the shogun Ashikaga Takauji, in honor of Emperor Go-Daigo.

The most remarkable feature is its serene garden, designed to mimic natural landscapes of Arashiyama with its harmonious blend of water, rocks, and trees.

Inside the temple’s Dharma Hall, visitors can see the awe-inspiring painting of a dragon, known as the “Cloud Dragon”. This work of art belongs to the famous Japanese artist, Kayama Matazo, who painted it in 1997. The dragon’s eyes seem to follow you as you move around the room. This was our favorite room here, and we ended up buying a mini cloth painting of the dragon.

Located just 20 minutes from Kyoto’s city center, Tenryu-ji is easily accessible. Simply take the JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station, and finish with a short walk through the picturesque district.

The Tenryu-ji Temple is open every day from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, with the last admission at 4:50 PM. To visit this temple, there are a few different a few different fees and options – you can choose to visit both the garden and building, only the garden, and/or the Dharma Hall.

For adults, the Garden only costs 500 yen ($3) and “Garden & Buildings” is 800 yen ($5.52). The Dharma Hall, which is open only on weekends and holidays, has a separate special fee of 500 yen.

Contributed by Carissa

This best-rated tour brings you to most of Kyoto’s main attractions and best temples and shrines – including Tenryu-ji. All you do is sit back and enjoy. This tour sells out quickly – book your tickets today to save your spot!😍👇

Kiyomizu-Dera

When it comes to Kyoto’s must-see temples, Kiyomizu-dera is one to not miss out on. I had the pleasure of visiting during my study abroad trip to Japan.

This stunning Buddhist temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers breathtaking views over the city. Located in the Higashiyama district, the temple is known for its iconic vermilion gates and shrines, which you’ll spot as you make your way up the scenic, steep paths.

With a backdrop of beautiful trees and panoramic views from its famous veranda, the Main Hall is one of the main highlights. What makes this hall even more unique is that it was built without a single nail!

Another highlight of the Kiyomizu-Dera is the Otowa Waterfall, which you’ll find right below the Main Hall. What’s cool about this waterfall is that it has three streams, and each one represents something: Longevity, Love, and Success. Based on what you want to receive, you drink from the stream – I drank for love!

Behind the hall, you’ll also find the Jishu Shrine, which is where you’d go for love and matchmaking. You can even take on the fun challenge of walking between two “love stones” with your eyes closed, hoping for good luck in love.

Kiyomizu-dera is just a 15-20 minute bus ride from the city center (with an extra 10 minute uphill walk), so be sure to add it to your itinerary for an unforgettable experience in Kyoto.

The Kiyomizu-dera is open daily from 6 AM to 6 PM, with occasional special hours such as 9 PM illuminations in the summer. The admission fee is 400 yen, roughly $2.78.

Contributed by Katie Kinsley

This best-rated tour brings you to most of Kyoto’s main attractions and best temples and shrines – including Kiyomizu-Dera. All you do is sit back and enjoy. This tour sells out quickly – book your tickets today to save your spot!😍👇

Saiho-ji Temple | Kokodera

Also known as Kokedera or the Moss Temple, the Saiho-ji is a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple renowned for its stunning moss-covered garden.

The peacefulness of the garden, combined with the surrounding natural beauty, set the tone for how tranquil this place is. Something quite mesmerizing is that there are over 120 species of moss that grow on the ground. We didn’t even know that many species of moss existed – did you?

We were fortunate enough to have the garden all to ourselves, making the experience even more special. Despite the cool weather, white butterflies fluttered around us and one of the monks showed us the temple’s treasures.

Saiho-ji is about 30 minutes away from Kyoto’s city center. The easiest way to reach it is by taking the JR Sagano Line to Katsura Station, followed by a short bus or taxi ride. This secluded gem is well worth the visit for those seeking a quiet, spiritual retreat amidst nature.

The Saiho-ji is a mesmerizing UNESCO World Heritage Site that wants guests to experience its beauty and peacefulness to the max. Due to this, the Saiho-ji requires you to make book a reservation and you have a limit of 2 people per reservation. The Saiho-ji offers two different experiences Nichi-nichi Sanpai, and Ori-ori Sanpai.

Contributed by Carissa

Kyoto Temples and Shrines FAQs

What is the difference between temples and shrines?

The main difference between temples and shrines is that temples are more formal places of Worship and, in Japan, are Buddhist. Japanese Shinto Shrines, on the other hand, are smaller places often dedicated to a specific Deity, ancestors, or other revered figures. People go to shrines to pray, reflect, or leave an offering.

What not to wear to a Japanese shrine?

Similarly to any religious place, you need to be respectful and dress modestly. Avoid wearing anything revealing such as short skirts, shorts, crop tops, sleeveless or other revealing tops.

Can tourists visit Japanese shrines?

Yes! As long as you are respectful and appropriately dressed, you can visit Japanese shrines and temples. Remember that these are religious sites, so be on your best behavior to respect the locals, their culture, and local spaces.

More Information on Kyoto and Japan

• 23 ESSENTIAL Tips + Things to Know Before Visiting Japan
• Do’s and Don’ts in Japan: Etiquette Guide for New Visitors
• Do I really need a JR Pass in? Here’s Everything You Need to Know!
• How to Spend the Best 2 Days in Kyoto
• The 7 Best Kyoto Walking Tours and Traditional Experiences
• 7 Reasons to Visit Kyoto
• The 8 Best Day Trips from Kyoto Under 2 Hours
• Which is better, Osaka vs Kyoto? Guide for First Time Visitors

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I have to ask…

Which of these Kyoto temples and shrines are you most excited to visit? Furthermore, did this post help you feel more at ease about your Japan travels? Let me know in the comments!😊

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