Kyoto City– Temples and Shrines List –

Sotokuji-awashimado TEL :075-371-2332 Address :124 Sangengaejicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto Access :JR Kyoto Station > 10 minutes walk to the west Parking :Parking available for 3 cars 【More information】

Kosyoji TEL :075-371-0075 Address :70 Hanazonocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto Access :JR Kyoto Station > 13 minutes walk 【More information】

Doso-jinja Address :5-4 Minamifudodocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto Access :JR Kyoto Statio > 5 minutes walk 【More information】

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.

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.

Toji Temple was built about 1,200 years ago and is the only temple remaining from the original founding of Kyoto. I attended the morning service at Toji Temple. I entered the national treasure hall and listened to the monks chanting sutras. It was a sutra that sounded like a song with a melody.

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.

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.

Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine is located in the shopping district. This shrine is known for its benefits in granting success in exams, and visitors pray while stroking the cattle. Within the temple grounds, Nishiki no Mizu, known as Kyoto's finest spring water, springs forth.