With over 400 Shinto shrines in Kyoto, choosing the best shrine to visit in Kyoto can be a daunting task. I’ve made a list of the best shrines in Kyoto to help you make the most of your time.
Kyoto’s temples get a lot of attention from visitors, but some of the city’s 400-plus shrines are also first-rate attractions in their own right. One of them, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, is among my five favorite attractions in Kyoto and should not be missed, no matter how short your visit. You can’t go wrong with any of the shrines listed below. Check them out and take a step back into Japan’s oldest religious tradition.
Must See Shrines
- Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine
Perhaps the single most impressive sight in all of Kyoto, bar none, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine is the most important shrine in the entire city. Don’t miss it! - Shimogamo-jinja Shrine
Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is second only to Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine as Kyoto’s best and most beautiful Shinto Shrine. It’s a brilliant place for a stroll. - Yasaka-jinja Shrine
One of Kyoto’s most important shrines, Yasaka-jinja Shrine overlooks the Gion entertainment district and sponsors the city’s biggest annual festival: the Gion Matsuri
Best Shrines For Hatsumode (First Shrine Visit of the New Year)
New Years (Shogatsu) is the most important celebration of the year in Japan. Families and friends get together to drink, feast and visit the local shrine and temple. The central ritual, hatsumode, involves the first visit to the local shrine to pray for health, happiness and prosperity during the coming year (31 Dec to 3 Jan).
Best Quiet Shrines
- Kamigamo-jinja Shrine
Located in the north of the city, Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is largely ignored by tourists, but that is their loss: it’s a pleasant quiet sanctuary to stroll and gather your thoughts. - Yoshida-jinja Shrine
Yoshida-jinja Shrine will always be one of my favorite shrines. My son did his “miyamaeri” here (his first ceremonial Shinto blessing). The shrine is halfway up Yoshida-yama and it’s surrounded by greenery. You can really feel the spirit of Shinto here.
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- ESSENTIALS – For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- HOTELS – Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- BULLET TRAIN – You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- WHERE TO STAY – Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- PACKING LIST – See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- SIM CARDS – You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- FLIGHTS – Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- JAPAN RAIL PASS – If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- TRAVEL INSURANCE – World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- WANT HELP? – Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
Kyoto District Map
Click a Kyoto District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation
About InsideKyoto.com and Chris Rowthorn
- Chris Rowthorn is the co-founder of InsideKyoto.com and has an unparalleled travel knowledge of Kyoto spanning three decades. Chris has written or commissioned and edited every page on the Inside Kyoto website.
- A former author of Lonely Planet Kyoto and Lonely Planet Japan guidebooks, Chris is also the director of the Kyoto walking tour company Chris Rowthorn Tours, and Japan Travel Consulting, where you can get bespoke travel advice for your Japan trip.
- InsideKyoto.com has been cited by the New York Times and The Times of London, among many other publications and websites.
