To-ji Temple was built to protect the new capital city of Kyoto. It was founded in 796, two years after the founding of the capital. To-ji, the East Temple, originally had a sister temple, Sai-ji, the West Temple, on the other side of the main gate to the early capital, the Rashomon. Only To-ji remains. […]
Shimogamo-jinja Shrine 下賀茂神社
Shimogamo-jinja, and its nearby sister shrine, Kamigaomo-jinja, are two of the oldest and most well known shines in Kyoto. Shimogamo was built first. A shrine was erected on the site in 678, and it is believed that the first structures there may have been from the 6th century. Both shrines were completed before the capital […]
Kamigamo-Jinja Shrine 上賀茂神社
Kamigamo-Jinja Shrine is the oldest Shinto shrine in Kyoto. It was built in the 7th century, during the Heian period. The shrine, along with nearby Shimogamo Jinja, were favorites of the Imperial Court and remain two of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. The formal name for Kamigamo Shrine is Kamo-Wake-Ikazuchi-no-kami. The name comes from […]
Enko-ji Temple
Enkoji Temple is on of my favorite temples to go to in the autumn leaves season (koyo).
Kinkaku-ji Temple 金閣寺
Kinkaku-ji temple, the temple of the Golden pavillion, is one of Japan’s most treasured temples. Its unique architecture, gold-plated exterior and careful placement on the edge of a meticulously laid out, pine studded pond make it a must-see temple in Kyoto. It is designated as a National Special Landscape, a National Special Historic Site and […]
Ryoan-ji Temple 龍安寺
Ryoan-ji Temple is one of the most famous temples in Japan. It is known for its unique Zen rock garden. Visitors come from around the world to sit and absorb the stillness of the garden from the veranda of the Hojo, or abbot’s residence. The rectangular garden is fenced on three sides with earthen walls, […]
Byodo-In Temple 平等院
Byodo-In is unique. It is revered in Japan, so much that it appears on the back of the ten yen coin. The ho-o, or phoenix, from it’s roof, appears on the back of the 10,000 yen bank note. It is a National Treasure, and is on the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage Sites. The […]
Tenryu-ji Temple 天龍寺
The Zen garden at Tenryu-ji Temple is one of the most peaceful places in Kyoto’s 17 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. If you find yourself feeling “templed out” after a whirlwind tour of Kyoto’s temples, plan to a stop at this garden to watch the Japanese carp (koi) slowly drift across the pond between precisely […]
Ninna-ji Temple 仁和寺
When you first see the huge Niomon Gate on the hill above the Omuro-Ninna-ji train station, you get a sense for the grandeur of Ninna-ji Temple. Giant wooden temple guards stand on either side of the gate. As you pass through the gate, you see ancient temple buildings and gardens set in front of beautiful mountain […]
Daigo-ji Temple 醍醐寺
Daigo-ji Temple is on one of the largest temple properties in Kyoto. It is a beautiful place with many temple buildings spread across a mountainside. These are connected by walking trails through the trees. It is famous for its 5-story pagoda, its large weeping Japanese cherry trees (shidaresakura), wide variety of flowers, and long, peaceful […]