Kyoto City? Temples and Shrines List ?

Yasaka Shrine is an ancient shrine that dates back to before 794, when the city of Kyoto was founded. It is the head shrine of the approximately 2,300 Yasaka shrines in Japan. The main hall is the largest of its kind among shrine buildings and is designated a national treasure. Yasaka Shrine has two popular sub-shrines.

Kawai-jinja Shrine is located within the grounds of Shimogamo-jinja Shrine. A beautiful goddess is enshrined here, and it is said that those who pray there will become beautiful. The experience of drawing a face on a hand-mirror-shaped ema (votive plaque) is popular.

This temple is the head temple of the Sennyuji school of the Shingon sect. Many imperial mausoleums have been constructed here, and the area has deep ties to the Imperial Family. The layout in which the gate, the main hall, and the relic hall were aligned in a straight line was a typical style for old temples.

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.

This shrine was founded in 794 - the year Kyoto was established - to protect the imperial capital. A deity governing the directional aspects of Onmyodo is enshrined here. For this reason, the influence of Onmyodo philosophy was strongly evident, and the layout differed somewhat from that of typical Japanese shrines.

This shrine is associated with two important historical events in Kyoto. One factor was the death of Emperor Sudo, which triggered the relocation of the capital to Kyoto. Another major event was the outbreak of the Onin War (1467-1477) in this area. It is a very quiet shrine these days.

This temple is one of the head temples of the Jodo sect. As I passed through the gate, the first thing that surprised me was the vastness of the temple grounds. I was able to freely enter the main hall. A statue of Honen Shonin, the founder of the Jodo sect, was enshrined at the front.

Hyakumanben Chionji is one of the head temples of the Jodo sect. A craft market is held at Hyakumanben Chionji Temple on the 15th of every month. (Closed in August) So many stalls lined the grounds that the spacious precinct felt cramped. There were a lot of unusual things, and it was fun.

This temple features a giant statue of Kannon (Avalokitesvara) standing 24 meters (78.74 feet) tall. This temple was built in 1955 to commemorate those who lost their lives in the war. For this reason, I offered incense as an act of devotion. Many Buddha statues were enshrined inside the Kannon statue.

This temple was originally founded in Muko City in 679 but was destroyed by fire during wartime; it was subsequently relocated to its current site in 1973. Although it is a small temple, it is known for housing a National Treasure - a statue of Nyoirin Kannon - as its principal image.