The best temples and shrines in Kyoto in 2026 are Fushimi Inari Taisha's torii tunnels, Kiyomizu-dera's wooden stage, the Golden Pavilion at Kinkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion at Ginkaku-ji and the rock garden of Ryoan-ji. Nanzen-ji, Tofuku-ji, Tenryu-ji, Daitoku-ji and Sanjusangen-do round out a list best tackled by area.
Kyoto has more than 1,600 temples. Group visits by area — Higashiyama (Kiyomizu-dera, Nanzen-ji, Ginkaku-ji), the northwest (Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji), Arashiyama (Tenryu-ji) and the south (Fushimi Inari, Tofuku-ji) — and go early to beat tour buses. See also our things to do in Kyoto.
Thousands of vermilion torii up a sacred mountain.
Fushimi Inari's paths of torii gates climb Mt Inari; the full loop takes two to three hours.
It is free and open around the clock.
Good to know: Go at sunrise, or climb past the halfway point to lose the crowds.
68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto 612-0882
A wooden stage over the hillside.
Kiyomizu-dera's main hall stands on a huge wooden stage over a forested slope, with views across Kyoto.
The lanes below, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, are lined with old shops.
Good to know: Visit at opening or for night illuminations in season.
1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0862
A gold-leaf pavilion reflected in a pond.
Kinkaku-ji's pavilion, covered in gold leaf, reflects in a mirror pond; the walking route takes about 30 minutes.
It is busiest midday.
Good to know: Go at opening on a sunny day.
1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto 603-8361
A Zen temple with raked sand and moss gardens.
Ginkaku-ji was never covered in silver, but its moss garden, sculpted sand cone and hillside path are serene.
The Philosopher's Path starts nearby.
Good to know: Walk the Philosopher's Path south afterward.
2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto 606-8402
Japan's most famous Zen rock garden.
Ryoan-ji's dry garden of 15 rocks on raked gravel is the best-known Zen garden in Japan.
The pond garden is lovely too.
Good to know: Combine with Kinkaku-ji, a short bus ride away.
13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto 616-8001
A Zen complex with a brick aqueduct.
Nanzen-ji has a towering Sanmon gate, sub-temple gardens and a 19th-century brick aqueduct in its grounds.
Much of the complex is free to walk.
Good to know: Climb the Sanmon gate for views.
86 Nanzenji Fukuchicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto 606-8435
Kyoto's top autumn-leaf temple.
Tofuku-ji is famous for the Tsutenkyo bridge over a valley of maples, spectacular in November, and its modern checkerboard gardens.
It is near Fushimi Inari.
Good to know: Expect big crowds in late November.
15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0981
A Zen temple by the bamboo grove.
Tenryu-ji in Arashiyama has a famous pond garden borrowing the mountains behind, and a gate onto the bamboo grove.
Arrive early to enjoy both before crowds.
Good to know: Exit the north gate into the bamboo grove.
68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto 616-8385
A walled Zen complex of sub-temple gardens.
Daitoku-ji is a large Zen complex where several sub-temples, such as Daisen-in and Koto-in, open their gardens to visitors.
It is quiet and atmospheric.
Good to know: Check which sub-temples are open that day.
53 Murasakino Daitokujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto 603-8231
A long hall of 1,001 Kannon statues.
Sanjusangen-do's 120-meter wooden hall holds 1,001 gilded statues of Kannon, an unforgettable sight.
Photography is not allowed inside.
Good to know: Go mid-morning; it is a short visit.
657 Sanjusangendo Mawaricho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 605-0941
Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Kiyomizu-dera are the most famous; Fushimi Inari is the most famous shrine.
Fushimi Inari is open around the clock, so go at sunrise. Temples typically open between 8 and 9 a.m.
Three or four if you group them by area.
Temples (ji, dera) are Buddhist; shrines (jinja, taisha, jingu) are Shinto, usually marked by torii gates.
Cherry blossom season in early April and autumn leaves in mid to late November, both very crowded.