Temples & shrines — Kyoto
Kyoto's temples and shrines are where centuries of spirituality come alive. Walk beneath thousands of vermillion torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha, explore the serene grounds of To-ji Temple, or find peaceful moments at Kifune Shrine nestled in the mountains. Each sacred site offers its own slice of Kyoto's spiritual heart.
Fushimi Inari Taisha ★ 4.668 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882Shinto shrine with famed gates. Mountainside Shinto shrine dating from 711 A.D. featuring a path with hundreds of traditional gates.
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Kuramadera Temple ★ 4.61074 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1111Ancient temple in forested mountains. Historic Buddhist temple set on a mountainside, with access via a cable car or up hundreds of steps.
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To-ji Temple ★ 4.51 Kujocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8473Famed Buddhist temple with a tall pagoda. Historic Buddhist temple with a 5-story wooden pagoda & sculptures of deities from the 8th century.
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Higashi Honganji ★ 4.5Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8505Buddhist temple with vast wood structure. Serene Buddhist temple complex with a 76m-long hall, one of the largest wood buildings in the world.
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Kifune Shrine ★ 4.5180 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112Small Shinto shrine in the hills. Intimate Shinto shrine with a verdant mountainside setting, reached by a lantern-lined path.
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Tōfuku-ji Temple ★ 4.515 Chome-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0981Scenic 13th-century Buddhist temple. Large Buddhist temple established in 1236 on scenic grounds with gardens known for fall foliage.
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Kamigamo Shrine ★ 4.5339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8047Long-standing Shinto shrine by a river. This Shinto shrine complex with 7th-century origins is full of trees & set on the banks of a river.
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Yasaka Shrine ★ 4.4625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073Brightly painted 1,350-year-old shrine. This Shinto shrine was erected in 656 A.D. & is home to one of the most famous festivals in Japan.
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Ninna-ji Temple ★ 4.433 Omuroouchi, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8092Buddhist temple with scenic grounds. This historic Buddhist temple featuring picturesque gardens & a 5-story pagoda was founded in 886.
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Okazaki Shrine ★ 4.4５１番地, Okazaki Higashitennocho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8332Small Shinto shrine dedicated to rabbits. Fairly small Shinto shrine dedicated to rabbits, with rabbits portrayed on statues & other items.
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Kyōto Ebisu-jinja Shrine ★ 4.3恵美須神社, 125 Komatsucho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-081113th-century shrine sacred to fishermen. Centuries-old fishermen’s shrine, known for its coin-tossing target & bundles of lucky bamboo.
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Ichihime-jinja Shrine ★ 4.1Motoshiogamacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-81198th-century shrine with female deities. Shinto market shrine dating from 795 & dedicated to goddesses thought to offer protection for women.