On your visit to Japan, the one city you must not miss is Kyoto. The popular tourist destination is also famous for its Buddhist temples and glorious gardens. Historical monuments and castles dot this city, making it a compelling destination on your visit to Japan. Here are the top five temples and shrines you must visit in Kyoto.
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Fushimi Inari Shrine
Walk through the crimson red tori gates leading to the forest shrine of Fushimi Inari. This is one of the most visited temples in Kyoto. Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto God of rice, the temple is a sprawling complex with ancient origins. The Romon Gate and the presence of fox statues all around the complex make this temple unique. The tori gates start from the back of a shrine complex to the top of the mount Inari. The Senbon Torii are thousands in number as the name suggests. The shrine is always open and is a big draw among those looking for mountain trail hiking.
Nanzenji Temple
Nanzenji temple is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan. The striking Sanmon Gate is one of the largest temple gates in the whole of Japan. The Choshoin part of the temple is where the Shojin Ryori vegetarian cuisine helps the Japanese style of eating. If you have time, book a cooking host in Kyoto who is familiar with this or any other style of Japanese cooking through Air Kitchen. Visit their home, and learn from them the ways to cook it. Enjoy the meal of Udon, or Bento or even Takoyaki foods with the local hosts and experience Kyoto unlike any other.
Ginkakuji Temple
Another Zen temple is Ginkakuji temple. It is the World Heritage site located in the Northeast Kyoto, which is also famous as Silver Pavilion. An emperor with a great love for arts and high life made the 15th-century temple. The artistic building was later converted into a temple, and since he had intended to cover the entire building with silver leaves, he had named it so. The first floor of the temple houses the Buddhist altar and has a golden idol of Kannon. The Ginkakuji temple is at a short distance from the Nanzenji temple.
https://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-temples-shrines/ginkakuji-temple
Kinkakuji Temple
The famous Golden Pavilion or the Kinkakuji temple is the model based on which the Ginkakuji was made. The gleaming golden leaves covering the temple draw the scores of Instagram-happy young travelers to Kyoto not to give the temple a miss. The 14th-century temple was set on fire, and later it was renovated to this current grandeur. The temple is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day. There is an admission fee. You can reach Kinkakuji temple by getting on the Kyoto City bus (101 or 205) from the main bus depot in the north of Kyoto Station building.
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Honen-in Temple
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The Northeast of Kyoto is also home to another majestic temple of the Honen in. The fall leaves covering the path makes it a romantic way to the temple. The temple is further north to the Nanzenji temple. The exceptionally breathtaking tree-lined Philosophers’ Walk is just a picture-perfect entrance to the temple. There are a pond and garden, which the locals call as Byakusadan. The shrine was made to honor the founder of Jodo Sect, Honen. The best month to visit is April to catch the temple complex in all its beauty and with a spellbinding view from the hilltop of Hojo.
https://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-temples-shrines/honen-in-temple
Kyoto in Japan is a modern metropolis, but it has still kept its heritage rich and untouched by the maddening milieu. Soak into this magnificence and enjoy the historic temples guaranteed to make your trip all the more enjoyable. These temples offer grand views and even have a great place in the culture of Japan.