Most Popular Buddhist Temples in Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji officially named Rokuonji Temple is a three-story building with a height of 12.5 meters. The two upper stories are completely covered in gold leaf. It is one of the most popular buildings in Japan and a perfect example of the construction style during the Muromachi period (1337 - 1573). Kinkaku-ji is also the most visited temple in Kyoto, besides Ginkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera.

Address: 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8361

Kiyomizu-dera or "Pure Water Temple" is one of the most famous and popular Buddhist temples in Japan. Kiyomizu-dera was founded in 778. The main hall with its wooden stage hovering 13 meters above ground is a masterpiece of Japanese temple architecture and a tourist hotspot. In 1994 the temple was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Address: 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0862

The Chion-in Temple (Monastery of Gratitude) in Kyoto is the head temple of the Pure Land Sect of Japanese Buddhism also called Jodo-shu. The sect has millions of followers. Their goal is to be reborn in the Western Paradise of Amitabha, also known as Jodo (Pure Land). Chion-in is one of the most sacred and most popular temples in Japan. Everything here is just on a grander scale. The temple grounds cover an area of 14.5 hectares.

Address: 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-8686

Ginkaku-ji or its official name Jisho-ji (Temple of Shining Mercy) was built in 1460 as the retirement villa for shogun and art lover Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436 - 1490). The architectural highlight is the two-story Kannon Hall (Ginkaku, Silver Pavilion). In the beginning, it was planned to cover the exterior of the hall in silver foil, but this plan was never realized. The last extensive restoration of the temple started in 2008 and was completed in 2010.

Address: 2 Ginakuji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8402

Ryoan-ji (Peaceful Dragon Temple) in Kyoto belongs to the most famous Zen Temples in Japan. The reason for this status is its rock garden with 15 stones called Sekitei. In 1450 Hosokawa Katsumoto, a feudal lord, established the temple. The large Kyoyochi Pond at the temple grounds is also part of my best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto list.

Address: 13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8001

The official name of Sanjusangen-do in Kyoto is Rengeo-in Temple (Hall of the Lotus King). The Japanese government registered Rengeo-in as a National Treasure. The 120-meter-long main temple hall is called Sanjusangen-do, which means a hall with thirty-three spaces between columns. It is the longest wooden building in Japan. The architectural style of the main hall is known as Wayo. The absolute highlight are the 1001 statues of Kannon (Juichimen-senjusengen Kanzeon), the Buddhist Goddess of compassion, inside the hall.

Address: 657 Sanjusangendoma wari-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-0941

In 1339 Tenryu-ji was built by shogun Ashikaga Takauji (1305 - 1358). Tenryu-ji Temple or "Heavenly Dragon Temple" belongs to the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto (Kyoto Gozan). This impressive head temple of the Rinzai Zen Buddhism School is truly a highlight within the Arashiyama district. Tenryu-ji Garden (Sogenchi-teien) belongs to the property and is one of the best and most beautiful gardens in Kyoto.

Address: 68 Susukinobaba-cho, Saga Tenryu-ji, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, 616-8385

Nanzenji, formerly known as Zenrinji, is a large Zen Buddhist temple complex in Kyoto. It is also one of the head temples within the Rinzai sect (one of three major Zen Buddhist sects in Japan). Nanzenji is the superior temple to the Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto (Kyoto Gozan), which are Tenryu-ji, Shokoku-ji, Kennin-ji, Tofuku-ji, and Manju-ji. The area is a nationally designated Historic Site.

Address: 86 Fukuchi-cho, Nanzen-ji, Sakyo-ku Kyoto, 606-8435

Toji Temple (East Temple) also known as Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple, was founded by the Shingon sect in 794. The Buddhist temple is one of the oldest in Kyoto and is famous for its Five-storied pagoda. The height of the pagoda is 54.8 meters, which makes it the tallest wooden tower in Japan. The cherry blossom season (end of April) is the best time to visit this place.

Address: 1 Kujocho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, 601-8473

Kodai-ji Temple is one of the greatest Zen temples in Kyoto, located within the Higashiyama District. The temple is officially known as Kodaiji-jushozenji and belongs to the Rinzai Buddhist sect. It was established in 1606 to pay tribute to Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537 - 1598), the warlord of the Sengoku era (1467 - 1568). He is considered the second great unifier of Japan. The temple's most important feature is the high-quality maki-e lacquer work visible on and inside the various buildings on site.

Address: 59 Shimogamo Izumigawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-0807