Kyoto’s must-see temples & shrines

A sprawling mountainside shrine complex with trails covered by thousands of vermillion-coloured torii gateways, Fushimi Inari has become one of Japan’s most photographed sites.

Founded in the 8th century, but with most of the spread-out buildings dating to the 1500s, the shrine is one of the most sacred in Japan. It’s dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, sake and prosperity, and functions as the head of some 40,000 Inari sub-shrines nationwide.

It’s a wonderfully eerie place to explore, and a pleasing way to soak up traditional culture while getting some fresh air and exercise.

Originally built as a shogun’s retirement villa in 1482, the ‘Silver Pavilion’ is a rare 15th-century Zen temple and garden that blend beautifully into the natural surroundings. Walk around the circular route.

Established in 1202, this temple at the southern end of Hanami-koji has traditional Zen gardens and incredible ceiling murals of dragons (added in 2002). It claims to be the oldest temple in Kyoto.

First built in 1397 as a shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu’s retirement villa, but then transformed into a Zen temple upon his death in 1408, no sight better highlights the former capital’s glory than this gilded temple casting a shimmering reflection into its islet-studded pond.

Taking in the view while strolling Kinkakuji’s garden pathways is a timeless experience. So, despite having UNESCO World Heritage status, it can be a surprise to hear that the current structure only dates to 1955. That’s when Kinkakuji was rebuilt after being burnt down by a crazed monk in 1950.

Hats off to the artisans who painstakingly recreated it – it’s stunning

Translating as The Temple of the Dragon at Peace, this Zen temple’s cryptically designed rock garden is considered one of the finest surviving examples of ‘dry landscape’ Japanese Zen temple garden design featuring distinctive larger rock formations arranged amidst a sweep of smooth pebbles. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A Buddhist Zen temple and UNESCO World Heritage Site best known for its unusual, atmospheric moss garden that circles a symbolically-shaped golden pond. Just getting in is an experience – you’re given a written sutra to copy it out onto another piece of paper to ensure you are pure enough to enter!

Founded in 1236, this large Zen temple (one of the so-called five great Zen temples of Kyoto) is famed for the spectacular autumn colours of its trees, viewed from the Tsutenkyo Bridge. Less-known are its four small gardens built around the temple’s main hall, that are a study in Japanese landscaping.

Founded in the late 700s, this World Heritage temple in the Higashiyama area is best known for its five-story pagoda and main hall, the latter of which features a photogenic veranda jutting out over a maple-covered hillside.

This temple near the famous bamboo grove in Arashiyama is worth admission for its 700-year-old Zen garden. Although built around a central pond, it’s also a classic example of a garden that employs shakkei (borrowed scenery), with the surrounding mountains adding depth to each scenic point.

The shrine that protects the Gion geisha district is one of Kyoto’s most distinctive sights. Entered through a roofed gateway painted a vivid vermillion, its grounds include a striking dance stage – used for performances during festivals – that’s adorned with several hundred lanterns lit each evening.