Kyoto, a city with long history and many traditional places, has always been on the list of the world's top cities. Recently, the city was even voted as the world's top city by the readers of Travel+Leisure, a famous magazine from New York.

Visiting temples and shrines is definitely a must do when traveling in Kyoto. There are over 1500 of them to be found in the whole of Kyoto. In the list below we recommend you the 20 most beautiful shrines and temples in Kyoto that are without a doubt worth it to visit.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

A 1,300 year old shrine for the God of bountiful crops and prosperous business
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Kinkakuji

The golden World Heritage site that glitters in the midst of each seasonal landscape
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Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera is Kyoto’s most popular tourist attraction
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Sanjusangen-do

A museum of Buddhist statues – 1001 life size statues of Senju Kannon
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Eikan-do

A place your soul can feel refreshed, seeing the beautiful autumn leaves and the Mikaeri Amida statue
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Ninna-ji Temple

Ninna-ji is recommended to see the beautiful late-blooming cherry blossoms.
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Ginkakuji (Higashiyama Jisho-ji)

Ginkakuji, or “Temple of the Silver Pavilion,” is a representation of the Higashiyama culture or traditional Japanese culture at its finest
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Kifune Shrine

The God of Water and The God of Marriage
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Nanzenji

Kyoto’s best location to see the cherry blossoms and the autumn colors. Enjoy the Cultural Properties of Nanzenji.
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Ryoan-ji

Relax in the famous Rock Garden of Ryoan-ji
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Tenryu-ji Temple

A World Heritage site with the spectacular Unryu-zu (image of the cloud dragon) and a garden from 700 years ago
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Toji (Kyo-o-gokokuji)

A temple with great history marked by its five-story pagoda, the landmark of the ancient Kyoto
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Daikakuji

Daikakuji: The temple with the oldest man made pond in Japan
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Saiho-ji Temple (Koke-dera)

There is a splendid garden which spreads out like a green carpet, covered in 120 kinds of moss
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Tofuku-ji Temple

Tofuku-ji Temple whose buildings have been designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties
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Yasaka Shrine

The guardian deity of Hanamachi (the geisha quarter). It provides protection against evil, avoid disease, and prosperity of business.
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Byodoin Temple

Heaven on earth – Byodoin Temple, a World Heritage Site
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Shimogamo Shrine

One of Kyoto’s oldest shrines surrounded by an ancient forest
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Enko-ji Temple

An ancient 16th-century temple that has retained the legend of the turtles protecting the temple from a great fire in Furukawa
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Heian Shrine

Immerse yourself in the history of the dazzling ancient capital Kyoto at Heian Shrine
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