Kyoto City? Temples and Shrines List ?

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.

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.

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.

Zenkyoan is a sub-temple of Kenninji Temple. At Zenkyoan, prayers and Zen meditation sessions are held once a month. The prayer service will begin at 10:00, followed by a Zen meditation session around 10:30. These events are open to everyone and do not require reservations.

At Higashi Honganji Temple, services are held every morning from 7:00 AM in the Amida Hall and the Goeido Hall. No reservation is required. Anyone can attend by going to the temple at the scheduled start time. There were over a hundred worshippers, and it was a very grand event.

Kenninji Temple was founded in 1202 and is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. At Kenninji Temple, a Zazen (Zen meditation) session is held every second Sunday of the month from 7:30 am. No reservation is required, just arrive on time to participate. I decided to do zazen next to the dry landscape garden.

Higashi-Honganji is the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Otani sect. It is located very close to Kyoto Station. There are many buildings designated as important cultural properties within the temple grounds. The Goeido (Main) Hall is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.

Honnoji Temple is the head temple of the Hokke Honmon school of Buddhism. This is the temple where Oda Nobunaga was betrayed and killed by his subordinate Akechi Mitsuhide. He was one of Japan's most famous warlord and was on the verge of unifying the country.

Honnoji Temple was founded in 1415. It is the head temple of the Hokke Honmon school of Buddhism. Morning services are held at Honnoji Temple every day from 6am, and anyone is welcome to attend. The sound of the drums was very powerful and electrifying.

Mugekoin is a Rinzai sect temple located to the east of Shimogamo-jinja Shrine. Zazen (zen meditation ) sessions are held every Saturday from 6pm to 7pm. Beginners and foreigners are welcome.