The Kansai area also known as the Kinki region includes prefectures of Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Mie, Hyogo and Mie. The Kansai area is one of the most famous regions in Japan that attracts many tourists and travelers because of its many historical places and World Heritage Sites. In fact, Kansai has more temples than any other region in Japan. For this reason many come for an enriching pilgrimage by exploring the many shrines and temples. Below are the best 30 shrines and temples that you should not miss when you pay a visit to Kansai area in Japan.
Learn how to visit a temple in Japan (how to pray, what to do)
Here is an introduction to the general etiquette for a visit to a Buddhist temple in Japan and other tips on how to enjoy a temple, a list of activities and tips that you can do .
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Onokorojima Shrine
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The amazing “torii” gate is one of Japan’s three greatest shrine gates
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Onokorojima Shrine, Enamishimohada 415, Minami Awaji, Hyogo See map |
| Telephone | 0799-42-5320 |
Izanagi-jingu Shinto shrine
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Japan’s oldest Shinto shrine, enshrining the Japanese deities (“Izanagi” and “Izanami”) who gave birth to the nation
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 740 Taga, Awaji, Hyogo See map |
| Telephone | 0799-80-5001 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izanagi_Shrine |
Ikuta Shrine
A 1800 year old shrine located in the center of the commercial area of Sannomiya
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Address | 1-2-1 Shimoyamatedori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo See map |
| Telephone | 075-254-7414 |
Todaiji
The Daibutsu is the highlight feature of this fascinating ancient Nara temple
More information
| Business Hours | April～October 7:30am-5:30pm November～March 8:00am-5:00pm |
| Price | Adults: 600 YEN Child: 300 YEN |
| Address | Todai-ji, 406-1 Zoshicho, Nara-shi, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-22-5511 |
| Website | http://www.todaiji.or.jp/english/index.html |
Kasuga Taisha
The gods are there among the tranquil forest and the radiant red shrine
More information
| Business Hours | April - September: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM October - March: 6:30 AM - 5:00 PM Special admission to the front of the Main Sanctuary: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Kasugataisha Museum: 10:00 AM - ５:00 PM Meoto Daikokusha: 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM Botanical Garden: March - November 9:00AM - 5:00PM December - February 9:00AM - 4:30PM (Opening hours may vary due to ceremonies or events) Special admission area closed from around March 8 - March 13 and around December 20 - January 7 It is also closed from 9:40 AM - 12:00 PM on the following days: The 1st, 11th, and 21st day of each month, the Coming-of-Age Day in January, Setsubun in February, February 17, March 14 and 15, April 3, the third Friday of May, May 5, May 10, August 7, August 15, October 9, November 3 and 23, December 17. (Closing hours may vary) May be closed at times other than those above for irregular ceremonies. |
| Price | Adults: 500 YEN Kasugataisha Museum Adults: 500 YEN College/High school students: 300 YEN Junior/Elementary school students: 200 YEN Man’yo Botanical Garden Adults: 500 YEN Children: 250 YEN |
| Address | Kasuga-taisha 160 Kasuganocho Nara, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-22-7788 |
| Website | http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/about/index_en.html |
Kofuku-ji
A valuable Buddhist treasure house with the statues of “Ashura” and the Thousand Armed “Kannon”
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 48 Noboriojicho Nara-shi, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-22-7755 |
| Website | http://www.kohfukuji.com/english.html |
Yakushi-ji Temple
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A must see temple designated as a cultural property of the ancient capital
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 1,100 JPY Child: 700 JPY Admission differs depending on whether the Genjo Sanzo-in Temple is open to the public or not, so please check the homepage |
| Address | 457 Nishinokyocho, Nara, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-33-6001 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakushi-ji |
Horyuji Temple
Immerse yourself in the historical wonders of Horyuji, the first Japanese temple listed as a World Heritage site
More information
| Business Hours | Feb 22〜Nov 3 8:00am～5:00pm Nov 4〜Feb 21 8:00am〜4:30pm |
| Price | Adults: 1,500 YEN Child: 750 YEN |
| Address | 1-1 Horyuji Sannai, Ikarugacho Ikoma-gun, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0745-75-2555 |
| Website | http://www.horyuji.or.jp/horyuji_e.htm |
Shin-Yakushi-ji Temple
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The healing Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai, and the Twelve Heavenly Generals looking over the people’s health and praying for a world without sorrow
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 150 JPY |
| Address | 1352 Takabatakecho, Nara-shi, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-22-3736 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin-Yakushi-ji |
Heijo Palace
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The Imperial palace for the ancient capital of Heijo-kyo (present-day Nara) that has also been registered as a World Heritage site
More information
| Business Hours | Tuesday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) Wednesday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) Thursday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) Friday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) Weekends ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Heijo Palace, Sakicho, Nara, Nara See map |
| Telephone | 0742-35-8201 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heij%C5%8D_Palace |
Fushimi Inari Shrine
A 1,300 year old shrine for the God of bountiful crops and prosperous business
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) Shrine grounds are open 24 hours a day |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Fushimi Inari Shrine, 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-641-7331 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fushimi_Inari-taisha |
Kiyomizu-dera
Kiyomizu-dera is Kyoto’s most popular tourist attraction
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 06:00 AM ~ 05:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 1-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-551-1234 |
| Website | http://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/lang/01.html |
Ninna-ji Temple
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Ninna-ji is recommended to see the beautiful late-blooming cherry blossoms.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 500 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | 33 Omuro Ouchi, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-461-4070 |
| Website | http://www.ninnaji.or.jp/multilingual_info.html |
Kifune Shrine
The God of Water and The God of Marriage
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Kifune Shrine 180 Kuramakibunecho Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-741-2016 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kifune_Shrine |
Ryoan-ji
Relax in the famous Rock Garden of Ryoan-ji
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 500 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | Ryōan-ji, 13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture See map |
| Telephone | 075-463-2216 |
| Website | http://www.ryoanji.jp/smph/eng/ |
Nanzenji
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Kyoto’s best location to see the cherry blossoms and the autumn colors. Enjoy the Cultural Properties of Nanzenji.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 500 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | Nanzen-ji, Nanzenji Fukuchicho Sakyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-771-0365 |
| Website | http://www.nanzen.net/english/ |
Saiho-ji Temple (Koke-dera)
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There is a splendid garden which spreads out like a green carpet, covered in 120 kinds of moss
More information
| Price | Adults: 3,000 JPY Child: 3,000 JPY |
| Address | 56 Matsuojingatanicho Nishikyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-391-3631 |
| Website | http://www.saihoji-kokedera-reservation.com/ |
Tofuku-ji Temple
Tofuku-ji Temple whose buildings have been designated as National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 東福寺,Fushimi-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-533-0621 |
| Website | http://www.tofukuji.jp/english/index.html |
Yasaka Shrine
The guardian deity of Hanamachi (the geisha quarter). It provides protection against evil, avoid disease, and prosperity of business.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 625 Giommachi Kitagawa Higashiyama-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 075-561-6155 |
| Website | http://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/en/ |
Byodoin Temple
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Heaven on earth – Byodoin Temple, a World Heritage Site
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:30 AM ~ 05:30 PM ) |
| Address | 平等院 Renge-116 Uji Kyoto See map |
| Telephone | 0774-21-2861 |
| Website | http://www.byodoin.or.jp |
Ise Jingu Naiku (Kotaijingu)
This is one of Japan’s most prominent holy lands. It enshrines the goddess Amaterasu-omikami, the tutelary god of the Japanese people
More information
| Address | 1 Uji Tachicho Ise-shi, Mie See map |
| Telephone | 0596-24-1111 |
| Website | http://www.isejingu.or.jp/en/index.html |
Okage Yokocho
The bustling atmosphere of the Edo Era pilgrimages to Ise Jingu has been recreated
More information
| Price | Okage-za Shinwa no Kan: Adults 300 yen, Children 100 yen |
| Address | 52 Ujinakanokiricho Ise-shi, Mie See map |
| Telephone | 0596-23-8838 |
Saiku
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A unique place where “Saio” who served Ise Grand Shrine lived. It was designated as the first Japan Heritage Site.
More information
| Price | FREE |
| Address | Saiku Station, Saiku Meiwacho Taki-gun, Mie See map |
| Telephone | 0596-52-0055 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai%C5%8D |
Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine
The main shrine of all Sumiyoshi shrines. It is beloved by the people of Osaka for the Taiko-bashi Bridge and the Hattatsu-san Festival
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 06:30 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka See map |
| Telephone | 06-6672-0753 |
| Website | http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/sumiyoshitaisha.html |
Shitenno-ji Temple
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Japan’s oldest temple, built by Prince Shotoku
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY |
| Address | Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka See map |
| Telephone | 06-6771-0066 |
| Website | http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/spot/shritemp/shitennoji.html |
Osaka Tenman-gu Shrine
With a history of 1000 years, it is a place where the god of learning and the performing arts is enshrined. It is also the heart of the merchants of Osaka.
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 05:00 PM ) |
| Price | FREE |
| Address | 2 -1-8 Tenjinbashi Kita-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu See map |
| Telephone | 06-6353-0025 |
| Website | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Csaka_Tenman-g%C5%AB |
Enryaku-ji Temple
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All of Mount Hiei is included in the temple grounds. The view from the summit is magnificent!
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:30 AM ~ 03:30 PM ) |
| Price | Adults: 700 JPY Child: 300 JPY |
| Address | 比叡山延暦寺4220 Sakamotohonmachi Otsu, Shiga See map |
| Telephone | 077-578-0001 |
| Website | http://www.hieizan.or.jp/_att/english.pdf |
Ishiyama-dera
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One of the temples on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, Ishiyama-dera is associated with Shikibu Murasaki
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) [close] Open every day |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 250 JPY |
| Address | 1-1-1 Ishiyamadera, Otsu, Shiga See map |
| Telephone | 077-537-0013 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishiyama-dera |
Hiyoshi Taisha Shrine
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A shrine known for warding off evil and for its divine messenger in the form of a monkey
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 09:00 AM ~ 04:30 PM ) [close] Open every day |
| Price | Adults: 300 JPY Child: 150 JPY |
| Address | 5-1-1 Sakamoto, Otsu, Shiga See map |
| Telephone | 077-578-0009 |
| Website | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiyoshi_Taisha |
Mii-dera (Onjo-ji)
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The head temple of the Tendai Jimon sect known for the “Evening Bell at Mii-dera”, one of the Eight Views of Omi
More information
| Business Hours | Everyday ( 08:00 AM ~ 11:00 PM ) [close] open every day |
| Price | Adults: 600 JPY Child: 200 JPY |
| Address | 246 Onjoji-cho, Otsu, Shiga See map |
| Telephone | 077-522-2238 |
| Website | http://www.shiga-miidera.or.jp/translation/eng.html |
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