Nishi Hongan-ji
A Free Head Temple 15 Minutes from Kyoto Station, Open from 5:30
Head temple of the Hongwanji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, on this site since 1591. Entry is f...
Shokoku-ji
Kinkaku-ji's Head Temple, With a Crying Dragon and Jakuchu Paintings
The head temple of Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, just north of the Imperial Palace, with Japan's old...
Higashi Hongan-ji
A Free Giant Seven Minutes from Kyoto Station, With a Rope of Hair
Head temple of the Otani branch of Jodo Shinshu, with a Goei-do 76 metres wide that the temple co...
Kozan-ji
A World Heritage Temple in a Cedar Forest, Home of the Frolicking Animals
A UNESCO World Heritage temple in the cedars at Toganoo, revived by the monk Myoe in 1206, known ...
Manpuku-ji
Ming Chinese Zen in Uji, With a Monks' Vegetarian Lunch by Booking
Head temple of the Obaku school of Zen, founded in 1661 by the Chinese monk Ingen and built in la...
Jakko-in
The Nunnery Where the Heike Story Ends
The small Ohara nunnery where Kenreimon-in retired after the Heike were destroyed at Dannoura. Th...
Yasaka Pagoda (Hokan-ji)
The Five-Storey Pagoda at the End of Kyoto's Most Photographed Lane
A 46-metre, five-storey pagoda rebuilt in 1440 that closes the view down Yasaka-dori. The street ...
Hosen-in
Matcha in Front of a 700-Year-Old Pine, Under a Blood-Stained Ceiling
A small Tendai temple at the far end of Ohara's approach lane, beyond Sanzen-in, where the 1,000-...