Contact UsTop 10 Must-Visit Temples in Kyoto Japan for a Spiritual Journey
Kyoto is the religious and the most traditional city of Japan that is loaded with the history and culture of Japan. As the nation’s most spiritual city, Kyoto is well loved for its alluring temples. For some, the beautiful nature, Temples in Kyoto for others – the amazing architecture or an opportunity to find oneself in the temples, Kyoto has something to do for every tourist. Kyoto being one of the most visited places in Japan still remains to be a model of serenity amidst this chaos.
The temples that exist physically in Kyoto Japan are not only buildings, which are employed for religious purposes, they are history in essence. Both temples represent the history of several hundred years ago and allow travelers to plunge into the Japanese spirit. The tourists are not just observing them in the same way they observe structures or buildings, the temples are appreciated as temples and that is where one enters a cultural and spiritual tour. These holy places make the guest realize the harmony between nature and art in every space and make people get the sense of inspiration and devotion.
For anyone planning a trip, getting a Japan Visa is straightforward because it entitles one to enjoy Kyoto’s timeless beauty. A Japan Tourist Visa is your passport to the stunning city and its stunning shrines. Below are ten temples in Kyoto that will enrich your spiritual perspective once you are ready for your travel.
Here are the Top 10 Must-Visit Temples in Kyoto Japan for a Spiritual Journey
1. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion, is a temple of Zen built of wood, which has been gilded with gold leaf and sits beside a pond. The building in which the museum is located was constructed as a retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the early 16th century in the mid-15th century it was converted into a temple. The splendid appearance of the gardens and the crystal-clear pond in front of the building gives its viewer a perfect example of the synthesis of nature and man-made work. It is possible to walk around the territory of the temple, Temples in Kyoto Japan admiring the silence and the grace of this building. Kinkaku-ji is one of the most beautiful temples in Kyoto and each time one turns around there is another perfect postcard photo spot.
2. Kiyomizu-dera
The hill known as Otowa-yama is home to Kiyomizu-dera, popularly referred to as the “Temple of the Pure Water.” Well-known for the roofed outdoor stage which is an extension of the main roof of the temple, the temple commands a view of Kyoto city during early spring and during the autumn season. Lacking a single nail, this architectural marvel is a pride to Japan and its builders. There are also fountains that tourists can take water from the Otowa Waterfall, which offers wishes of health, love, and success. The temple is, in fact, both a feast for the soul and the eyes – it is one of the major attractions in Kyoto.
3. Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the most significant shrines of Japan that belongs to the class of Shinto shrines and is devoted to Inari, the god of rice and wealth. It is most popular for the thousands of bright red torii gates that create various trails up to the Inari San Shrine. These gates which are contributed by worshippers provide a very impressive tunnel-like arch which is both calm and majestic. The walking through the gates may take several hours or more and the view of Kyoto is so beautiful at this point. Fox sculptures are placed in different parts of the shrine, Temples in Kyoto Japan as foxes are believed to be Inari’s envoys contributing to the sacred and otherworldly ambiance of this place.
4. Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
Ginkaku-ji or the Silver Pavilion is an aristocratic temple of Zen Sect famous for its simplicity and serenity. The temple is neither gilded like the gate, and its simplicity and plainness are the main characteristics, which correlate with the idea of wabi-sabi. One of the most popular attractions is its Sea of Silver Sand Garden which is sculpted with great precision and is supposed to resemble moonlight. A visitor can see the gardens with moss and can have a look at the bamboo forest and the calmness of the temple area. It is a perfect place for a break from the noisy and crowded city and to learn more about Japanese Zen way of life.
5. Ryoan-ji
Ryoan-ji is a Zen temple that is probably best known for the mysterious rock garden which is considered to be a paragon of simplicity. It is a garden of 15 selected stones arranged on the white sand and aimed at the provision of a place for reflection. However, no matter the position, one can distinguish only 14 rocks, which makes it even more intriguing. The temple has its compound which has a will pond in the middle of the compound with lots of trees around it, and therefore, it is quite calm. Tourists are pulled into the peacefulness of the atmosphere of the rock garden and contemplate on its essential natural beauty.
6. To-ji Temple
To-ji Temple and its five storied pagoda are famous landmarks in Kyoto and an imperative part of its Buddhism heritage. Established in 796AD it was one of the few temples permitted in the city during the Heian period. The towering structure is a 55 meters high pagoda, making it the tallest wooden structure in Japan. The temple also displays wonderful Buddhist images and has a very colorful flea market on the 21st of each month, where one can see local crafts and antique items. To-ji is important not only as a religious place, but also as an active center of cultural life.
7. Nanzen-ji
Nanzen-ji is the second largest Zen temple in Kyoto and famous for its Sanmon gate which has great view of Kyoto. Some of the facilities include a Meiji-period aqueduct that gives the temple complex a traditional architectural look. Another attraction of the temple, the garden of Zen, is a clear example of the harmony of nature and construction. Visiting the temple, people have an opportunity to feel the atmosphere that Zen Buddhism is based on, and the territory itself is perfect for meditation and solitude.
8. Sanjusangendo
Sanjusangendo or the Hall of Thirty-Three Bays is well known as a home to 1,001 life size statues of Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of mercy. These statues are distinct one from the other, and the amazing work of the Kamakura period is seen in every detail. The main hall itself is the longest wooden building of Japan and can withstand an earthquake. To be able to walk through the hall and see those gentle Kannon faces surrounding me was to feel the spirituality. The temple also holds the Toshiya archery competition which makes it also have a cultural importance.
9. Tenryu-ji
Tenryu-ji temple is one of UNESCO World Heritage Site and the main temple of the Tenryu branch of Zen Budd hism. It has a very attractive Zen Garden and it uses the Arashiyama mountains as a borrowed scenery. The location of a garden with a pond and rocks and plants arranged well is appropriate for meditation, in this case. One also has to mention that Tenryu-ji is located near another important tourist site such as the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The temple looks very serene and this can be related with the fact that nature and religion are partners.
10. Daigo-ji
Daigo-ji is a large temple and gardens which are greatly known for the kind of view they offer during the cherry blossom period. It encompasses several halls and a five-story pagoda the latter is the oldest remaining example of a style of construction that was once popular in the city of Kyoto. The design of the temple has a huge space of the compound as a walking trail to the up temple that offers beautiful views and seclusion. It is also well known for its connection to Toyotomi Hideyoshi who required a great number of blossoms to be seen at Daigo-ji. Daigo-ji has both historical and beautiful scenery that any traveler would not resist visiting the place.
Conclusion
Kyoto is deeply saturated with spiritual aura and it is spiritual in many temples and shrines here. Kinkaku-ji or the temple of gold and the Tenryu-ji temple of the garden are just two of the many temples which are in Kyoto each a structure of their own and each having its own story to tell. It is the same as the ponds of Kinkaku-ji or as noisy as the Torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha – the temples of Kyoto Japan are perfect for spiritual travels and self-searching. Touring such places will not only make the tourist learn about the tradition and culture of this country but also can be a one-time experience.
To those who are interested in the eternity and sacredness of Kyoto the first step is to get a Japan Visa or Japan Tourist Visa. The legends connected to Kyoto’s temples, the quietness of the city all make Kyoto something that one has to try out to understand. To those who have not been to Kyoto, I can confidently tell that the temples alone will warm your heart regardless the number of times you have been to Kyoto.
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