With over two thousand, yes, 2,000, Buddhist temples and shrines in Kyoto, it’s impossible to see all of them in a week. We did a bit of research and compiled a list of our favorites to explore while we were there. We had planned to see 8 but managed to stumble into a total of 11 temples/shrines during our week stay.It’s kind of hard to wander around Kyoto and not pass a shrine or important temple. With so much to see, we let the neighborhood of the day dictate which temple(s) we’d visit. We saw multiple shrines/temples a day and the weather in Kyoto was just perfect for all that walking we did. Hōkan-ji Temple - right in the heart of Kyoto, this Buddhist pagoda temple is seen from really anywhere in the lower Higashiyama district. The height it adds to the old world neighborhood makes for some incredible pictures. Yasaka Kōshin-dō - This wasn’t one we had planned to visit but as we were passing by, the colored wishing balls drew us in. This temple is on the way to Kiyomizu-dera (possibly the most famous in Higashiyama) so it’s easy to find. The Kōshin faith is of a warrior and the three wise monkeys (hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil) so it was pretty cool to see that. Kiyomizu-dera - This Buddhist temple is a historical monument listed on the UNESCO World Heritage site. Always busy with tourists but because it’s so big, it feels less crowded, as everyone can spread out. Unfortunately for us, the primary pavilion was going through a renovation so we didn’t get to see everything but what we did see was beautiful. Including the forest surrounding the grounds. Kōdai-ji Temple - This temple was one we were so excited to explore. The rain started to come down as we went in so we found the moon viewing pavilion that overlooks a zen garden and watched the rain trickle down. It was an insanely peaceful moment. After the rain let up a bit, we walked through the Founder’s Hall, the Sanctuary and a few small shrines before getting to the garden. Because of the rain, we shared the temple grounds with just a few others willing to brave the weather. We walked through their bamboo grove and then made our way to the teahouse. We ordered some matcha and wagashi and sat in quiet while we warmed up on our bowl of tea. We’d recommend a teahouse inside a temple because it was only $6 for the tea and treat... Way cheaper than majority of the teahouses in town offering traditional tea services. Yasaka Jinja - a Shinto shrine near the Gion district. The lanterns hanging around the main stage are so beautiful day or night. This is the spot for viewing cherry blossoms and every year, thousands gather to celebrate the Japanese new year! While we were there, we saw a newly married couple walk through, very fitting considering many come here wishing for love and companionship. Sanmon Gate and the Chion-in Temple - A Buddhist temple from the 13th century that houses two inns on its property. Those inns were later deemed important cultural heritage sites. The Sanmon gate also has huge importance as it’s the largest surviving structure of its kind in Japan. Nanzen-ji Temple - Located at the southern end of the Philosopher’s Path in the upper Higashiyama area. We got to Nanzen-ji in the late afternoon so we explored the grounds and skipped the temple because they were only open for another 15 minutes. A surprisingly beautiful aqueduct was built in the early 1900s and the idea of it being in front of a historic temple probably startled many but it doesn’t seem too out of place as the forest and ivy continue to connect it to the grounds. Ginkaku-ji Temple - Also known as the silver pavilion, Ginkakuji is at the very top (farthest north) of the Philosopher’s Path and is a beautiful place to start or end your walk. The initial design was to cover the outside of the temple in silver foil but the plans continued to get delayed until it fell off the to-do list all together. Nevertheless, Ginkaku-ji has a beautiful zen garden and the property had a surprising amount of moss covering the grounds. The moss was incredible! Kinkaku-ji temple - A little off the beaten path, Kinkakuji is the three story golden pavilion built on the edge of a pond. The water surrounding the structure really allows for a serene experience, even with large groups of visitors on site. The top two levels of the exterior are covered in gold-leaf and the temple shines no matter the weather condition. Fushimi Inari Taisha - This might be the most instagrammed/pinned Shinto Shrine from Japan. It's also one of the most important as Inari is the god of rice and prosperity. Inari is worshipped by merchants and business owners from all over the country. In fact, each of the torii gates have been donated by Japanese businesses or individuals wishing to receive financial blessings. With over 10,000 torii gates and 2.5 miles of walking path, Fushimi Inari is a popular spot for visitors and locals. Fushimi Inari Foxes - regarded as messangers to the gods. The fox, pictured above, holds a key in its mouth. It's said to be a key for the rice granaries that it protects. There is so much amazing history in these shrines and temples. I think it would be challenging to come to Kyoto and not be open to the faith and customs in which the Japanese partake. Separate from their religious importance, these shrines offer such a valuable look into the history, traditions and culture of Japan. Insight that really helped us better understand the people of this phenomenal country!
Until Next Time, C + D
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