The Beautiful Temples and Gardens of Kyoto

Updated: 7/15/22 | July 15th, 2022

I dreamed of Kyoto and its thousands of temples for as long as I’ve dreamed of Japan. I love Japanese architecture and Zen gardens. One day, when I own a home, my backyard will be designed as a Japanese Zen garden, complete with pond, koi fish, rock garden, and a little waterfall.

On my recent visit to Japan, Kyoto was the only place I wanted to see as much as Tokyo. Though it rained (sometimes heavily) during my visit, Kyoto, with its temples and gardens, was even more beautiful than I’d imagined. I spent hours wandering historic streets and darting in and out of tranquil temples. I ended up sitting down, listening to music, and staring out at one Zen garden for over an hour.

But, instead of yapping on about Kyoto’s sublime and blissful beauty, here are some of the beautiful highlights you’ll see when you explore all the temples of Kyoto:

Kinkaku-ji (The Temple of the Golden Pavilion)

Officially known as Rokuon-ji, this temple dates back to the 14th-century, though, like many of Japan’s buildings, the original burnt down (several times, in fact). The current building dates to the 1950s after a monk burnt the temple down while trying to commit suicide. It’s one of the most-visited destinations in the country and is also both a National Special Historic Site and a National Special Landscape. It’s one of the 17 locations making up the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto as well, which are all official UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission si 400 JPY.

Ryoan-ji Temple

This was my favorite of all the temples in Kyoto. Built in the 15th-century, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a mausoleum that houses the remains of seven different Emperors. The traditional rock and sand garden is immaculately kept and is a stunning display of Buddist art and philosophy. It’s considered one of the best rock gardens in the country and I can definitely see why.

Open daily from 8am-5pm. Admission is 500 JPY.

Kodai-ji Temple

Kodai-ji, officially known as Jubuzan Kodai-ji, was established in 1606 and still contains antiques and artwork from that period. Like Ryoan-ji, the sand and rock gardens here are serene and immaculately composed. In fact, the gardens of Kodai-ji are a nationally designated Historic Site and an official Place of Scenic Beauty.

Open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission is 600 JPY.

Daitoku-ji Temple

This massive temple complex covers almost 60 acres and dates back to 1315 CE. The original temple was damaged by fire in the 15th-century, though it was rebuilt in 1474. The temple’s history and success are deeply linked to the Japanese tea ceremony, as several of the country’s most noteworthy masters of the tea ceremony studied at the temple.

Open daily from 9am-4:30pm. Admission is 400 JPY.

Entoku-in Temple

This is one of the sub-temples of Kodai-ji, but it’s deserving of its own mention. The temple is home to two Zen gardens as well as some beautiful traditional paintings. It was also where the wife of Daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), one of Japan’s most influential historical figures, spent her final years after his death.

Open daily from 10am-5:30pm. Admission is 500 JPY.

Choraku-ji Temple

This temple was founded in 1555, though much of its history beyond that is a mystery. One important historical note is that in 1855, Japan and Russia signed a treay here to establish official diplomatic relations. The temple is home to a beautiful pond with rocky islands and moss-covered stones. It was relaxing to just sit and take in the view of the calm waters and moss-covered stones.

Open daily from 9am-5pm. Admission is 500 JPY.

Tofuku-ji Temple

This is a quiet, contemplative temple where you can get away from the crowds and have some space to yourself — unless you come during the foliage season. The Japanese love to snap photos of the changing leaves here and this place transforms into a non-stop photoshoot in the autumn. However, outside of the busy few weeks you’ll be hard pressed to find more than a couple other tourists here.

Open daily from 9am-4pm. The temple grounds are free but admission to the main buildings is 400 JPY.
 

Travel Tips for Kyoto

To ensure you make the most of your visit, here are some tips to help you save time and money during your trip to Kyoto:

1. Get the Sightseeing Pass – If you plan on riding public transportation a lot, consider getting this card. One-day passes are 1,400 JPY and grant unlimited travel on both the subway and city buses.

2. Rent a bicycle – If you don’t want to use the bus, rent a bike. There are plenty of places to rent a bike in Kyoto, including at many of the city’s hostels. It’s a cheap and easy way to explore the city and you’ll get a much better feel of the place, too! Expect to pay around 1,000-1,500 JPY per day for a rental.

3. Stick to sushi trains – The sushi in Kyoto is very expensive. If you need a fix, stick to the sushi trains around the city. The train station has a very good one, although there’s a long wait.

4. Shop at the 100 Yen ($1 USD) stores – There are many 100 JPY shops in Kyoto with snacks, drinks, toiletries, and other odds and ends items. Store names vary by region, so ask your hotel/hostel reception where the nearest one is located. They’re the cheapest places to grab a quick snack.

5. Eat curry, ramen, and donburi – Curry, donburi (bowls of meat and rice), and ramen are your cheapest option here when it comes to eating out. The main train station has a lot of these kinds of restaurants, so if you’re not sure where to go just eat here! You can also find lots of cheap, pre-packaged food and sushi at all the major convenience stores.

6. Stay with a local – If you’re on a tight budget, consider Couchsurfing (or similar hospitality exchanges). Just make sure to contact hosts early — Kyoto sees a lot of tourists and the response rate in Japan isn’t great.

7. Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so avoid wasting money on single-use plastic and bring a reusable bottle. You’ll save money and the environment! LifeStraw is my go-to brand as it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

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Kyoto is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Japan. It remains a highlight of my time in the country and the temples of Kyoto are the area’s biggest draw. Even though it can get busy and crowded, they are still worth seeing up close as the gardens are an oasis of peace in a country known for its hustle and bustle.