While Southern Kyoto might be more spread out and have fewer attractions than the rest of the city, it still has several important temples and shrines that make it worth an exploration, and here are 5 of them you should definitely visit, to not only take stunning pictures, but also to learn more about Japanese culture and history.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Probably one of Kyoto’s more well-known attractions, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is a Shinto Shrine with a history that dates all the way back to the 8th century. At the entrance, you will be greeted by a giant red torii gate, and behind it is the gorgeous main hall, where you pay respect to the resident deity of the shrine through a small offering, if you are so inclined.
This shrine is most famous for its long paths lined with tens of thousands of torii gates, the two paths known as Senbon Torii. On the gates you will see inscriptions, which bear the name of the person who donated the money to build the gate, along with the date of donations. These rows of torii gates are the perfect places to take a picture of and with, the rows of densely packed red gates making for a unique and striking backdrop.
These paths lead you on a trek to the summit of Mt. Inari, but if you don’t want to climb all the way up, there are still plenty of things to see along the path before you decide to turn back, including smaller shrines, a few restaurants, as well as a viewing area that gives you a great view of Kyoto below.
Another thing you can do here is to try spotting as many fox statues as you can. Foxes are believed to be the messengers of Inari, God of agriculture, rice in particular. Thus, numerous fox statues are located all throughout the shrine and its grounds, standing guard over this sacred place.
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882
Opening Hours: Open year-round, 24/7
Admission: Free
Daigoji Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Daigoji temple is a Japanese Buddhist temple that spans an entire mountainside. Here you’ll find some of the most beautiful gardens and greenery which look good all year round, but are especially gorgeous in the autumn when the leaves start turning shades of red, orange, and yellow, as well in the spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
As you explore the vast grounds of the temple, you’ll find several important and notable buildings, like the Kondo Hall, or Main Hall, the Sanboin sub-temple, the Reihokan Museum, and the five-storey pagoda, which was built in the year 951 and has survived several fires that have ravaged other parts of the temples throughout its existence. By the lake, you’ll see Bentendo Hall, connected to the rest of the temple by a bridge and it is likely the most photographed area in the whole temple, a structure on a small island surrounded by colourful foliage.
Most of these buildings are located in the Shimo Daigo (Lower Daigo area). However, if you want to explore more of the forest and hike up the mountain side, you can pay for an extra ticket to enter the Kami Daigo (Upper Daigo area), where you’ll be able to see the structures of the old temple grounds, as well as fantastic views.
Address: 22 Daigo Higashioji Cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 601-1325
Opening Hours:
Shimo Daigo:
1st March - 1st Sunday of December: 9am - 5pm
Day after the 1st Sunday of December - End of February: 9am - 4:30pm
Kami Daigo:
1st March - 1st Sunday of December: 9am - 4pm
The day after the 1st Sunday of December - End of February: 9am - 3pm
Admission:
Shimo Daigo (Combined Ticket):
Spring and Autumn (20th March - 15th May, 15th October - 10th December):
Adults: 1,500 yen
Normal Periods:
Adults: 800 yen
Kami Daigo:
Adults: 600 yen
Adults (with Shimo Daigo combined ticket): 500 yen
Toji Temple
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Toji Temple has been the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism since the year 823. While the original buildings were destroyed by various fires and earthquakes over the centuries, they have been rebuilt and recreated. Some of the more important structures include the Kondo Hall and Kodo Hall, the temple’s main hall and lecture hall.
One of the most famous structures in the temple is its five-storey pagoda. At 57 metres in height, it is the tallest wooden pagoda in all of Japan. Surrounded by lush gardens, it watches over the grounds of the temple, including a nearby lake. The ground level of the pagoda is even open on certain days, which you can enter for an additional cost.
If you’re a fan of flea markets, you have another reason to visit Toji temple. On the 21st of each month, Kobo-ichi Market is held in the temple, where you find both new and second-hand items, including clothes, handmade crafts, and even kimonos. There is also the smaller Garakuta-ichi antique market that is held on the first Sunday of every month, where you find and give old and unique items a second home.
Address: 1 Kujocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 601-8473
Opening Hours:
20th March - 17th April: 8:30am - 4:30pm
18th April - 19th September: 8:30am to 5pm
20th September - 19th March: 8:30am to 4pm
Admission (Individual Adult General Admission):
26th May - 19th September, 26th November - 31st December: 500 yen
1st January - 18th March: 800 yen*
20th March - 28th April, 20th September - late October: 500 yen
29th April - 25th May, late October - 25 November: 800 yen*
* Includes entrance to ground level of pagoda
Tofukuji Temple
If you’re visiting Kyoto during the autumn season, this is the temple to experience it in its full glory. From the sheltered Tsutenkyo Bridge, you’ll have a fantastic view of a valley of maple trees, a sight that becomes even more breathtaking in autumn when the leaves change to their red and yellow hues. However, because of this popular view, be prepared to squeeze and compete with many other visitors for a good position, especially during mid to late November.
There are several impressive structures around the temple grounds, such as the Sanmon Gate, which stands at 22 meters tall and dates back to 1425.
Tofukuji Temple has several smaller but unique gardens as well. At the Hojo, one of the main buildings of the temple which used to be the living quarters of the head priest, you find gardens on all four sides, each one decorated differently, ranging from a zen rock and sand southern garden to the trimmed moss and shrubs of the western garden. In front of the Kaisando Hall, a path separates the garden into two halves, with rocks on one side and a pond on the other. With so many types of gardens, this temple will let you experience nature at its two extremes: vast and uncontrolled versus small and perfectly maintained.
Address: 15 Chome-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0981
Opening Hours:
April - October: 9am - 4pm
November - First Sunday of December: 8:30am - 4pm
After First Sunday of December - March: 9am - 3:30pm
Admission:
Common Admission Ticket (access to all areas):
Adult: 1,000 yen
Child: 500 yen
Autumn Admission Ticket:
Hojo:
Adult: 500 yen
Child: 300 yen
Tsutenkyo Bridge and Kaisando Hall:
Adult: 1,000 yen
Child: 300 yen
Kajuji Temple
Though a less popular temple, the grounds of the Kajuji Temple are just as beautiful as the other temples on this list, with plenty of lush greenery that include the cherry blossoms and maple trees.
What makes Kajuji stand out is its large pond, the Himuro no Ike Pond. You’ll be able to view gorgeous water flowers like lotuses and water lilies, as well as vibrant seasonal blooms such as hydrangea and wisteria. Other than koi fish, several species of water birds have also made this pond their home, including ducks, herons, and kingfishers. With such an array of flora and fauna, this temple is the perfect getaway from the more touristy sights, a place where you can stroll through and really enjoy nature at its finest.
Address: 27-6 Kanshuji Niodocho, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto, 607-8226
Opening Hours:
All Year: 9am - 4pm
Tickets:
Adult: 400 yen
