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Okazaki-jinja 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. -
Yasui-Konpiragu shrine (Kyoto) Prayer for severing ties
Yasui-Konpiragu Shrine was founded between 668 and 671. This shrine is famous for severing ties. There is a stone in the precincts where people pray for severing ties and finding love. You pass through from the front to the back while praying to cut ties. -
Shimogamo-jinja shrine (Kyoto) Forest and Water Shrine
Shimogamo-jinja is a shrine with a long history, first mentioned in records as far back as 90 BC. The two main buildings are designated as Japanese national treasures. The forest within the shrine grounds covers an area of 124,000 square meters, and ancient vegetation still remains. -
Kiyomizu-dera temple (Kyoto) Building on a cliff
Kiyomizu-dera Temple was founded in 778. There are over 30 buildings within the temple grounds, including national treasures and important cultural properties. The most popular attraction at Kiyomizu-dera Temple is the stage in front of the main hall. It is built on a cliff and is 13 metres (42.65 feet) high. -
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. -
Yasaka-jinja shrine (Kyoto) Praying for beauty and love
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. -
Chorakuji temple (Kyoto) Nothing lasts forever
Chorakuji Temple was founded in 805 by Saicho, the founder of the Tendai sect. It later changed to the Jishu sect and remains so to this day. This temple is where Taira Tokushi, the heroine of the Tale of the Heike, spent her time. This story is read by many people in Japan as a nothing lasts forever in Buddhism. -
Nanzenji temple (Kyoto) Dragon ceiling painting and zen meditation
Nanzenji Temple was founded in 1291. It is the head temple of the Nanzenji branch of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. The Hatto (main hall) has an impressive ceiling painting of a dragon. zen meditation sessions are held on the second and fourth Sunday mornings of every month. No reservation is required to participate. -
Nishi-Honganji temple (Kyoto) Hidden Attractions
It is the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect. The Goei-do Hall and Amida-do Hall are designated as national treasures. You can enter these halls between 5:30am and 5:00pm. Although it is hard to find, Karamon Gate was amazing. There were many auspicious carvings of sacred animals. -
Toji temple (Kyoto) Beautiful pagoda and Buddha statues
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.