If it’s your first time in Japan, you can’t miss Kyoto.
Despite how crowded the city can be, it’s absolutely worth exploring its many temples spread across different neighbourhoods. In this article, I’ll share a selection of temples you shouldn’t miss, along with a few tips to help you experience the unique atmosphere of Kyoto beyond the crowds.

Kyoto is a city best explored by area. Each district has its own atmosphere, and visiting temples by neighbourhood helps avoid unnecessary transport and makes the experience more enjoyable.

1. Eastern Kyoto – Ginkaku-ji & the Philosopher’s Path

Eastern Kyoto is one of the most pleasant areas to explore on foot. This part of the city invites you to slow down, with quiet streets, small temples and beautiful seasonal scenery.

Start your visit at Ginkaku-ji, often called the Silver Pavilion. Despite its name, the temple was never actually covered in silver. What makes it special is its understated elegance and the beauty of its gardens, where carefully raked sand patterns contrast with moss-covered grounds and surrounding hills.

From there, follow the famous Philosopher’s Path, a peaceful stone path that runs along a small canal lined with cherry trees. It’s particularly beautiful during spring cherry blossom season and autumn foliage, when the colours transform the entire walk. I highly recommend this little restaurant, with local food and a traditional service.

Along the way, consider stopping at Hōnen-in, a small and often overlooked temple hidden behind mossy gates. Its quiet atmosphere makes it a perfect pause between two more famous sights.

From the peaceful walks of eastern Kyoto, we now head to the very opposite side of the city.

2. Western Kyoto – Arashiyama & its temples

On the western edge of the city lies Arashiyama, a district where temples blend beautifully with nature and mountains.

For something more unusual, start in north to Otagi Nenbutsu-ji. This small temple is filled with hundreds of expressive stone statues, each carved with a unique face. It’s one of Kyoto’s most photogenic and surprising places, yet it remains relatively quiet compared to the city’s major landmarks. On the way down you will follow quiet streets surrounded by local shops.

One of the highlights here is Tenryū-ji, a UNESCO-listed Zen temple known for its magnificent garden. Designed to frame the surrounding mountains, the landscape feels perfectly balanced and peaceful.

Just behind the temple, you’ll find the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Although it’s one of Kyoto’s most photographed spots, visiting early in the morning makes a big difference and allows you to enjoy the atmosphere before the crowds arrive.

Finally cross the famous Togetsukyō Bridge in wood.

After the greenery of western Kyoto, it’s time to explore the heart of the city.

3. Central Kyoto – Iconic temples & tradition

Central Kyoto is home to some of the city’s most iconic landmarks.

The most famous is undoubtedly Kinkaku-ji, the spectacular Golden Pavilion covered in gold leaf and reflected in a quiet pond. It’s one of the most photographed sites in Japan — and although it can be crowded, its beauty still makes it worth visiting.

Not far away stands Nijō Castle. While it isn’t a temple, it offers an essential glimpse into Kyoto’s political history. Built as the residence of the Tokugawa shoguns, the castle is famous for its “nightingale floors”, designed to chirp under footsteps to warn of intruders.

Together, these sites offer a fascinating contrast between Kyoto’s religious heritage and its samurai-era history.

To finish exploring Kyoto’s temples, we head south toward one of Japan’s most famous shrines.

4. Southern Kyoto – Fushimi Inari & hidden temples

No visit to Kyoto would be complete without seeing Fushimi Inari Taisha. This shrine is famous for its thousands of bright red torii gates forming tunnels that climb the forested mountain behind the main buildings.

While the entrance area can be very crowded, walking further up the trail quickly becomes more peaceful. The higher you go, the fewer visitors you’ll encounter, and the atmosphere becomes much more serene.

Nearby, don’t miss Tōfuku-ji, especially if you’re visiting in autumn. Its large temple grounds and wooden bridges overlooking maple trees create one of the most spectacular fall landscapes in Kyoto.

Walking higher on the trail allows you to escape most of the crowds.

How to choose Kyoto’s temples ?

Kyoto has more than a thousand temples, and it’s impossible — and unnecessary — to see them all. Choosing temples by area and atmosphere makes the experience more meaningful and less exhausting. Whether you’re looking for iconic landmarks or quiet corners, Kyoto always rewards those who take the time to slow down.