Japan? category ?

Few experiences capture the spirit of Kyoto better than enjoying a bowl of matcha within the peaceful grounds of a temple or shrine. In this guide, you'll discover Kyoto temples and shrines where you can enjoy matcha, relax in a peaceful setting, and experience authentic Japanese culture.

At Kifune Shrine, you can enjoy a variety of experiences, such as prayers offered before the deity, free spring water, prayers for good fortune in relationships, matcha and Japanese sweets within the shrine grounds, and meals by the riverside.

Tojiin Temple was founded in 1341 and serves as the family temple of the Ashikaga shoguns. The strolling pond garden is said to have been created by the renowned garden designer Muso Kokushi. It feels very pleasant to walk slowly through this garden. I recommend enjoying some matcha while gazing at the garden.

This is the Ichinomiya (the shrine of the highest rank) in Kochi. The Miyajishi (shrine guardian lions) enshrined in the worship hall are made of Bizen ware; the figure on the left—the A-gyō (depicted with its mouth open)—was created in 1866, while the one on the right—the Un-gyō (with its mouth closed)—was made in 2011. It took over 140 years for the pair to be completed. They possess expressive faces that evoke a sense of familiarity. Behind the main hall lies a refreshing forest; after paying your respects, I encourage you to take a leisurely stroll through the woods and feel the sacred atmosphere.

Takaya Shrine consists of the Lower Shrine, Middle Shrine, and Main Shrine. You can reach the Main Shrine from the Lower Shrine by car or bus, but it takes about 50 minutes to walk uphill to reach the Main Shrine. From the torii gate in front of the Main Shrine, on a clear day you can see the cityscape of Kanonji and the Seto Inland Sea, making it a refreshing and pleasant view, and it is a popular power spot known as the "Torii Gate in the Sky."

Mikane-jinja Shrine enshrines the guardian deity of metals and minerals. Gold coins have been minted in this area since ancient times. The name "Mikane" means money in Japanese, so the shrine has become famous as a shrine for financial luck. There is a golden torii gate at the entrance.

The deity enshrined at Rokusonno Shrine is Minamoto no Tsunemoto. He was the first head of the Seiwa Genji clan, which established a military government. For this reason, it is said to bring prosperity to the family and good fortune in career advancement.

There are temples in Kyoto where any visitor can ring the temple bell. Here, we present a list of such temples. When you strike the bell, you can feel the shock of the sound vibrating through you. It feels very good. Please be sure to visit temples like these during your trip to Kyoto.

Kurama-dera Temple is located in the mountain north of Kyoto. Kurama-dera Temple has three special places for praying to deities and Buddhas. It's the plaza in front of the main hall, the temple bell that anyone can ring, and the meditation area in the mountains.

There are many temples in Kyoto, and some of them offer zazen (Zen meditation) instruction in English. Here we will introduce a list of temples where English zazen sessions are held. Zazen is an experience that allows you to sit quietly, calm your mind, and experience Japanese spirituality.