Kyoto’s shrines and temples are home to statues and paintings of a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, monkeys, and rabbits. These are either related to gods or Buddhas or based on legends.
Here we will introduce recommended shrines and temples for each type of animal.
Animal shrines and temples in Kyoto
Dog : Sokujoin Temple
When Kukai was searching for a place to build a temple, two dogs, one white and one black, appeared and guided him. The place he arrived at was Mount Koya.
Based on this legend, there are statues of Kukai and two dogs at Sokujoin Temple. One is lying down a little and the other is sitting. It’s a very cute look.
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Sokujoin temple (Kyoto) : Amitabha from the Pure Land
It is said that Amitabha, along with twenty-five Bodhisattvas, comes from the Pure Land to welcome the deceased. Sokujoin Temple has preserved a group of Buddha statues that recreate this scene for nearly 1,000 years.
Cat : Shonenji Temple
Shonenji Temple is known as the cat temple.
Long ago, when the temple had fallen into disrepair, the cat kept by the head priest brought the temple into contact with the lord. And the temple was rebuilt. Since then, this temple has been dedicated to protecting the cat’s spirit.
The pine tree in front of the main hall is said to have been planted to resemble a lying cat. They offer cat charms and are popular among worshippers.
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Shonenji temple (Kyoto) Temple saved by a cat
Shonenji Temple was founded in 1606. The story goes that when the temple fell into ruin, a cat kept by the head priest connected with the lord and helped the temple to be restored. The pine tree in the temple grounds is said to represent a lying down cat. There were signs and charms with illustrations of cats on them.
Monkey : Yasaka-Koshindo temple
There are three monkeys in the main hall. Each covers their eyes, ears, and mouth. The teaching is not to see, hear, or say anything evil.
The monkey is also a symbol of desire. Behind them are many monkey dolls with their hands and feet tied.
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Yasaka-Koshindo temple (Kyoto) Colourful monkey dolls
Yasaka Koshindo was built over 1000 years ago.Because monkeys move around a lot, they are also said to be symbols of desire. For this reason, there was a custom of tying the hands and feet of monkey dolls. Nowadays, people write their wishes on colorful monkey dolls and tie them on them.
Cattle : Kitano-Tenmangu ShrineSugawara no Michizane, who is enshrined at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, has cattle as his attendants. When he died, his body was transported in an cattle cart and buried wherever it stopped.
If you stroke the same area on your body that is ill, you will be cured of the illness. Stroking the parts of these body that are hurting will help cure your illness.
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Kitano-Tenmangu shrine (Kyoto) : The head shrine of Tenmangu
Kitano-Tenmangu Shrine was founded in 947. The shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, who is known for granting academic benefits. It is the head shrine of the approximately 12,000 Tenmangu shrines and Tenjin shrines throughout Japan. There is a festival on the 25th of every month.
Horse : Fujinomori-jinja Shrine
This is a shrine where a horse ritual is held in May. It is visited by horse racing enthusiasts, horse owners, and jockeys.
There is a horse statue in the precincts. There are also many horse charms and votive plaques.
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Fujinomori shrine (Kyoto) : Horse racing fans gather
Fujinomori-jinja Shrine was founded about 1,800 years ago. The ritual of running horses has been handed down since ancient times. As a horse shrine, it is visited by many people involved in horse racing, jockeys, and fans. There were a lot of things related to horses in the shrine grounds.
Deer : Hoonin Temple
At Hoonin Temple there is a hall where Jurojin is enshrined. This god originates from Taoism. He is accompanied by a deer, which is considered a sacred animal.
There is also a deer statue in the precincts.
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Hoonin temple (Kyoto) : Remove suffering with a lasso
Hoonin Temple was founded in 1326. The principal image is the Amoghapasa. Amoghapasa holds a lasso and is said to be able to capture and remove all suffering. I also visited the hall where Jurojin is enshrined. A deer is sitting next to him with a calm expression on its face.
Raccoon dog : Tanukidanisan-Fudoin Temple
This temple was built in a place called Raccoon dog Valley. There are raccoon dog statues donated by worshippers in the precincts. The number is said to be around 300.
There are also raccoon dog charms and fortune-telling slips available.
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Tanukidanisan-Fudoin temple (Kyoto) : Raccoon dog and cliff-hanging main hall
Tanukidanisan-Fudoin Temple is located in the northeastern part of Kyoto City, in a place formerly known as raccoon dog valley. When I reached the entrance to the temple, I was greeted by a row of raccoon dog figurines. The main hall is built in an impressive cliff-hanging style.
Fox : Fushimi-Inari shrine
This shrine is famous for the sight of many red torii gates lined up in a row. This god is associated with foxes. There are so many fox statues in the precincts that it’s impossible to count them all.
There are various poses, so it’s fun to walk around looking at them.
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Fushimi-Inari shrine (Kyoto) : Red Torii gates Tunnel
Fushimi-Inari is the head shrine of the 30,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan. It is said to grant good fortune in bountiful harvests, prosperous business, and safety in the home. Fushimi Inari is famous for the countless red torii gates lined up in a row. There are also wishing stone.
Rabbit : Okazaki Shrine
Okazaki Shrine was built in the direction of the rabbit (east) when Kyoto was constructed. At the time, the area was also a habitat for wild rabbits. For this reason, rabbits are considered messengers of the gods.
Rabbits are prolific, so they are said to bring blessings for safe childbirth. There is also a rabbit statue in the precincts, which is said to bring success in love and financial luck.
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Okazaki Shrine (Kyoto) Rabbits that grant wishes
Okazaki-jinja Shrine was built in 794, the same year the city of Kyoto was founded. Rabbits are said to be messengers of gods. There are many rabbit statues in the precincts. Rabbits are said to bring blessings for safe childbirth because they give birth to many young.
Mouse : Otoyo Shrine
There is a story about the god of Daikokusha Shrine located within the shrine grounds, who was rescued from fire by a mouse.
Two mice are enshrined in front of the shrine. The mouse on the left is holding a ball, and is said to grant good fortune in matchmaking, fertility, safe childbirth, and prosperity. The mouse on the right is holding a scroll and is said to grant academic success.
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Ootoyo shrine (Kyoto) : The mice will bestow good fortune upon you
Ootoyo-jinja shrine was founded in 887 to pray for the recovery of Emperor Uda from illness. The enshrined deity is Sukunahikona-no-Mikoto, the god of medicine. This shrine features statues of various animals, representing messengers of different gods. Mice are particularly well-known.
Tiger : Ryosokuin Temple
Ryosokuin is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple. There is a hall dedicated to Bishamonten (Vaisravana) within the grounds. In front of the hall there are two statues of tigers.
Bishamonten is said to have appeared before Prince Shotoku on the year of the tiger, the day of the tiger, and the hour of the tiger. Prince Shotoku was the first person to spread Buddhism in Japan.
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Ryosokuin temple (Kyoto) : Japanese garden and zazen meditation
Ryosokuin is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple, founded in 1358. There is a beautiful Japanese garden and a temple dedicated to Bishamonten (Vaisravana). Regular zazen sessions are held, and group zazen sessions are also available. The program includes zazen, sermons, and a stroll around the temple grounds.
Boar : Zenkyoan Temple
Zenkyoan is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple. The Marishiten (Marici) enshrined in this temple is depicted riding on seven boars. There are many boar statues in the precincts.
The fortune slip comes in a cute boar figurine. After reading, the boar figures were left as offerings in large numbers in the temple grounds.
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Zenkyoan temple (Kyoto) : Lots of boar statues
Zenkyoan is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple. This temple is dedicated to Marici, the deity of heat haze in ancient India. Boars are said to be messengers of Marici, and there are many boar statues within the temple grounds. Once a month, a Zazen (Zen meditation) and sermon meeting is held.
Turtle : Toji temple
This temple is famous for Japan’s tallest five-story pagoda and its group of national treasure Buddhist statues.
It is said that writing your name on the back of a turtle will bring you good health. Now you can’t write a name on a real turtle. However, votive plaques with pictures of turtles are available for sale. If you write your name here and offer it as an offering, you will receive blessings.
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Toji temple (Kyoto) : Beautiful pagoda , Buddha statues , Kobo Market
Toji means the temple in the east. It was built on the east side of the city 1,200 years ago when Kyoto was founded. The five-story pagoda stands 55 metres (180 feet) and is the tallest wooden structure in Japan. There are many Buddha statues lined up in the Kodo hall.
Frog : Kenninji Temple
It is the head temple of the Kenninji branch of the Rinzai sect. Within the temple grounds is a large inkstone that was used by the painter Tamura Gessyo. He was the person who painted the sliding doors of Kenninji Temple.
The inkstone is engraved with an image of a frog spreading its legs and moving forward.
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Kenninji temple (Kyoto) Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple
Kenninji Temple was founded in 1202 and is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.It is the head temple of the Kenninji branch of the Rinzai sect. Many cultural assets have been preserved, including the National Treasure Wind God and Thunder God Screen, architecture, gardens, paintings, and more.
Centipede : Shorinji Temple
This is a sub-temple of Tofukuji Temple. The temple houses a statue of Bishamonten (Vaisravana) made in the 10th century. Bishamonten has centipedes as his attendants. There are signs and banners with centipedes on them all over the temple grounds.
Centipedes are said to represent victory because they only move forward. It is also said that because it has many legs, it brings good fortune in terms of money.
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Shorinji temple (Kyoto) : Zen Meditation and Buddha statue
It is a sub-temple of Tofuku-ji Temple, founded in 1550. The statue of Vaisravana enshrined here was made during the Heian period (794-1185) and is believed to bring good fortune in wealth and victory in battle. Zen meditation sessions are available. Beginners are welcome to participate.
Cicada : Chionin temple
Chionin Temple is the head temple of the Jodo sect. The national treasure Mieido Hall has a cicada decoration on its front door.
It’s easy to pass by without noticing, so be sure to look for it when you visit.
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Chionin temple (Kyoto) : Huge sanmon, main hall, and hidden gem
Chionin Temple began in 1175 when the monk Honen built a hermitage there. It is now a huge temple and is the head temple of the Jodo sect. There are two Japanese national treasure buildings within the temple grounds. Services are held here every morning and you can attend.
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