Best temples in Kyoto

The temple is famous for its 13 m tall wooden stage projecting from the main hall. Visitors can also try lifting Benkei's iron spear and drink from one of the three streams of the Otowa Waterfall, each said to bring a different benefit.

"The temple is famous for its 13 m tall wooden stage projecting from the main hall. Visitors can also"

The head shrine of over 30,000 Inari shrines, famous for thousands of donated vermilion torii gates lining mountain trails, including the iconic Senbon Torii. The Yotsutsuji intersection halfway up has restaurants and the best city views, and hiking to the summit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

"The head shrine of over 30,000 Inari shrines, famous for thousands of donated vermilion torii gates "

A temple ranked first among Kyoto's great Zen temples. It is part of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage Site.

"A temple ranked first among Kyoto's great Zen temples. It is part of Kyoto's UNESCO World Heritage S"

The Golden Pavilion, whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, was built as Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's retirement villa and became a Zen temple after his death. It is a UNESCO site, and paths lead around manicured grounds with a tea garden and other temple halls.

"The Golden Pavilion, whose top two floors are covered in gold leaf, was built as Shogun Ashikaga Yos"

The Silver Pavilion was built as Ashikaga Yoshimasa's retirement villa and was never actually covered in silver. It is a UNESCO site and became the base of Higashiyama culture, which shaped traditions such as the tea ceremony, poetry and garden design.

"The Silver Pavilion was built as Ashikaga Yoshimasa's retirement villa and was never actually covere"

One of the host's favourite temples, famous for its aqueduct and rock garden.

"One of the host's favourite temples, famous for its aqueduct and rock garden."

A temple highlighted as one of the Higashiyama District's specific sights.

"A temple highlighted as one of the Higashiyama District's specific sights."

A shrine listed among the highlights of the Higashiyama area.

"A shrine listed among the highlights of the Higashiyama area."

A spacious, austere shrine dedicated to the first and last emperors who reigned from Kyoto.

"A spacious, austere shrine dedicated to the first and last emperors who reigned from Kyoto."

A temple built from ancient timbers. It is loved for its covered wooden bridges spanning valleys filled with maple and spruce.

"A temple built from ancient timbers. It is loved for its covered wooden bridges spanning valleys fil"

A temple known for its beautiful garden, making it one of the best places in Kyoto to see autumn foliage.

"A temple known for its beautiful garden, making it one of the best places in Kyoto to see autumn fol"

A secluded temple reached by a short hike through dense forest, offering a scenic view. It is home to a famous Shiba Inu temple dog.

"A secluded temple reached by a short hike through dense forest, offering a scenic view. It is home t"

An intimate temple where visitors are invited to sit and quietly contemplate the gardens outside.

"An intimate temple where visitors are invited to sit and quietly contemplate the gardens outside."

A quiet little shrine a few minutes from Ginkaku-ji, where eight deities are enshrined. Its lanterns light up in the evening, making it a peaceful escape from the crowds.

"A quiet little shrine a few minutes from Ginkaku-ji, where eight deities are enshrined. Its lanterns"

A temple whose main viewing deck overlooks a garden full of stunning autumn foliage. Autumn visits require an online reservation, and entry costs 1,000 yen.

"A temple whose main viewing deck overlooks a garden full of stunning autumn foliage. Autumn visits r"

Home to Somei-sui, the only surviving one of Kyoto's three famous springs. A nearby cafe uses its water to brew coffee.

"Home to Somei-sui, the only surviving one of Kyoto's three famous springs. A nearby cafe uses its wa"

A temple famous for its brilliant red autumn foliage, much of which can be seen for free. It is a quieter alternative to central Kyoto, with steep stairs, a weeping cherry tree and a tatami cafe nearby with foliage views.

"A temple famous for its brilliant red autumn foliage, much of which can be seen for free. It is a qu"

A shrine that is especially pretty in autumn, though its leaves fall earlier than in the city. It offers water fortunes (mizu-mikuji) that reveal text when dipped in water, with QR codes for English translations.

"A shrine that is especially pretty in autumn, though its leaves fall earlier than in the city. It of"

A quiet shrine in northern Kyoto, founded over 1,000 years ago, where people pray for good health; it has many small sub-shrines and a wish-granting stone. Two popular shops right outside serve aburi mochi grilled over charcoal with a sweet white miso sauce.

"A quiet shrine in northern Kyoto, founded over 1,000 years ago, where people pray for good health; i"

A peaceful temple on the Philosopher's Path, away from the crowds. Its entrance has sand gardens with seasonal designs, and the grounds have moss-covered gardens.

"A peaceful temple on the Philosopher's Path, away from the crowds. Its entrance has sand gardens wit"