Location: City Center
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What to do and see in City Center, Kinki: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
The shrines and temples of Kyoto offer a rare link between modern life in the city and its very ancient past. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time, its serenity and spiritual power still palpable. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, then see the life-sized Thousand Armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. Enjoy traditional geisha performances, then savor a tranquil meal at a restaurant overlooking the Kamo River.
Restaurants in Kyoto
1. Konchi-in
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By JameAndDare - Woodstock, Canada
We happened upon this temple walking back to the subway from Nanzen-ji and decided to stop because it cost only about 400¥ each to get in. It looked peaceful and something was drawing us here. You follow the path going around the shrine in a circle, starting at a pond with koi fish in it. The gardens all around here are beautiful and the path is clearly marked. Make sure to wear bug spray. We got bit a bunch of times as it was muggy and the vegetation was thick in here. You come to the main shrine and it seems to be very historic. The trees open up to a huge zen garden and we just took off our shoes and sat here enjoying the peace and quiet. There was one other small group of people here at the time who were very quiet and respectful, so we basically had the place to ourselves. We sat for a good 20 minutes.
2. Shimogamo Jinja
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,027 reviews
Reviewed By Kupitdom_2019
Today I spent almost three hours at one of the nicest shinto shrines in Japan I prayed boughtbtraditional EMMA (?wooden blessed by shrine) and you can write your own wishnifvyou believe it Emma from this shrine
3. Shinnyodo Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 209 reviews
Reviewed By gungho-traveller
Shinnyodo is often bypassed by tourists in favor of Eikando & other popular temples so its less crowded even in peak autumn season. you can stroll through the garden leisurely, sip Jap tea and dessert & admire surrounding autumn colours without mass crowd blocking your view or path. Best to go on weekdays between morning to 3pm on a sunny day, sunlight makes the leaves glow in vibrant red, yellow, orange & green, a stunning sight. Shinnyodo has the most vibrant red colors of all temples I visited and best of all, its FREE (note: only inner temple & zen garden require a fee)
4. Honmanji Temple
5. Matsuo Shrine
6. Rozanji Temple
7. Shinsenen
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By 711ayat - Arlington, United States
This shrine is not famous at all. I found this in a guide book as a hole-in-the-wall spot. The property is very small and nothing fancy but it gives tranquil, zen atmosphere right next to the busy street. I sat on the bench and stared at the pond for a while to relax after all day of walking. The red bridge is gorgeous. Easy access from Nijo station.
8. Heian Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,222 reviews
This shrine was built in 1895 in celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the founding of the city of Kyoto. Admission is free but there is a small fee for entrance to the gardens, which are home to several beautiful weeping cherry trees which are in bloom during the spring months.
Reviewed By foulaman - Kelowna, Canada
This shrine has beautiful shrine buildings around a large open space. There were not a huge number of tourists which was a relief after a number of other Kyoto sites. Make sure to go into the garden (separate entry off to one side towards the back). It is a wonderful large Japanese garden where you can spend a half-hour or hour unwinding. There is a small tea garden in the middle of the garden. Mostly flat easy walking. Decent toilets. There was free wifi throughout the area. The whole shrine and garden was quite peaceful, in spite of the fact that just outside the shrine is a series of large gift shops and parking for dozens of buses indicating that at times it is probably very busy.
9. Chionji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By AmandaPinkas
Such a stunning temple to visit, set in beautiful gardens. We visited in early fall. Absolutely enthralling!!
