Kyoto referred as "City of Ten Thousand Shrines" is home to a world of temples and many cultural landmarks. We managed to explore a few famous temple mostly UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kenninji is ranked 3rd of the "five most important Zen temples in Kyoto". Founded by a Buddhist monk, Eisai who introduced Zen Buddhism and green tea cultivation to Japan upon returning from Tiantai (A school of Buddhism in China).
Founded: 778 AD
Kiyomizu-dera also means "Pure Water Temple" because it is founded on the site of Otowa Waterfall. The waterfall is at the base of Kiyomizudera's main hall. It is believed that drinking the sacred water would cause longevity, success and a loving relationship.
On the way up to Kiyomizu-dera, you will walk past Sannenzaka a bustling shopping street filled with shops selling souvenirs and snacks. Stopped by Baizando (梅山堂) - Bought "Yuba & Cheese" fish cake stick before reaching to the top.
The best known landmarks in Kiyomizu-dera is a 3-storey pagoda (31 meters high) and the scenic view of Higashiyama from the large wooden terrace.
Yasaka Shrine also known as Gion Shrine is a popular spot for the annual Gion Festival. We also did our Japan prewedding shoot here.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is uniquely known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
Founded: 1397
I find Kinkakuji the most breathtaking and memorable temple amongst all. The Golden Pavilion has 3 floors standing at 12.8 meters high. The reflection of gold makes it so unique as the building is gilded with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. There's a gold phoenix on the roof of the pavilion if you take a closer look.
Where to go in Kyoto:
- Kenninji
- Kiyomizu-dera, Nearby Higashiyama
- Hokan-ji (Yasaka Pagoda), Nearby Yasaka Koshindo
- Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, Nearby Gion
- Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Kinkakuji
Temple at Eastern Kyoto
Kenninji (建仁寺): The Oldest Temple in Kyoto
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Founded: 1202Kenninji is ranked 3rd of the "five most important Zen temples in Kyoto". Founded by a Buddhist monk, Eisai who introduced Zen Buddhism and green tea cultivation to Japan upon returning from Tiantai (A school of Buddhism in China).
Hatto (Dharma Hall) is used as the main hall of the Zen temple built in 1765.
Map from Kenninji website
Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺): Wooden terrace overlooking Higashiyama
UNESCO World Heritage SiteFounded: 778 AD
Kiyomizu-dera also means "Pure Water Temple" because it is founded on the site of Otowa Waterfall. The waterfall is at the base of Kiyomizudera's main hall. It is believed that drinking the sacred water would cause longevity, success and a loving relationship.
View from atop
Higashiyama
On our way down from Kiyomizu-dera, we walked past Higashiyama. Higashiyama is a streets with traditional shophouses that is preserved until today. Higashiyama is between Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine.
Hokan-ji (Yasaka Pagoda)
Founded: 589
Hokan-ji also known as Yasaka Pagoda situated between Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka Shrine. The 46 meter tall pagoda is a landmark in the Higashimaya district. It is also one of the most beautiful photo spot that gives you a traditional Kyoto feel.
Yasaka Koshindo
Yasaka Koshindo is a small temple near Yasaka Pagoda. The temple represent the Koshin faith where worshipers believed that Sanshi (Three Corpses) live in everyone's body to keep track of a person's good deeds and bad deeds. While the person is asleep, Sanshi will leave the body to report to the Heavenly god (Ten-Tei). Ten-Tei will then decide who to punish by making them ill or shorten their lifetime.
The best known symbols are Shomen Kongo and the three wise monkeys. Shomen Kongo is believed to make Sanshi ill to prevent them going to the Heavenly god. The three monkeys are Mizaru (not see), Iwazaru (not say) and Kikazaru (not hear), that means not to see, hear, or tell bad deeds of a person.
The colorful ball is called "kukurizaru", a round ball shaped made of cloth representing the good faith monkeys. It is believed that if you give up one of your greeds, your wish may come true.
Yasaka Shrine
Founded: 656 ADYasaka Shrine also known as Gion Shrine is a popular spot for the annual Gion Festival. We also did our Japan prewedding shoot here.
The lanterns is especially beautiful at night when it all lights up. Each lantern is donated by locals with their business name written on the lantern.
Maruyama Park
Inside Yasaka Shrine, there is Maruyama
Park a popular spot for cherry blossom during spring.
Maruyama Park during winter
Gion
Gion is Kyoto's well known geisha district located near Yasaka Shrine. It is also a popular landmark to to visit when you are in Kyoto.
Temple in Southern Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine: Torii gates by donation
Founded: 711 ADFushimi Inari Shrine is uniquely known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
If you noticed there are different writings on the torii gate. Left (front) is the name of the person or company who donated the torii. Right (front) is the date the torii was donated. On the flip side, on the Left (back) has the writing "奉", Right (back) "納". 奉納 means Offering.
Temple in Northern Kyoto
Kinkakuji: The famous "Golden Pavillion"
UNESCO World Heritage SiteFounded: 1397
I find Kinkakuji the most breathtaking and memorable temple amongst all. The Golden Pavilion has 3 floors standing at 12.8 meters high. The reflection of gold makes it so unique as the building is gilded with gold-leaf on Japanese lacquer. There's a gold phoenix on the roof of the pavilion if you take a closer look.
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