Find Buddhist Spots
A connection with a Buddha image may appear unexpectedly. Search for places that may lead you to your own My Buddha.
Asukadera Temple (Angoin)
Buddhist Image Asuka Daibutsu (Seated Shaka Nyorai) Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
奈良県高市郡明日香村飛鳥682
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
DignityDepthPurity
Asukadera’s Main Hall enshrines the seated Shaka Nyorai known as the Asuka Daibutsu. Regarded as one of Japan’s oldest surviving Buddhist images, it has a simplicity and powerful presence unlike statues of later periods. Tradition holds that it has remained in nearly the same location since the temple’s founding, preserving the time when Buddhism was taking root in Asuka. More than splendor, it offers the depth of encountering the beginnings of Japanese Buddhism.
Eisanji Temple
Buddhist Image Seated Yakushi Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
奈良県五條市小島町503
Visiting Status Confirmation required
StillnessPurityDepth
Eisanji’s Main Hall enshrines a seated Yakushi Nyorai designated an Important Cultural Property as its principal image. Preserved at an old temple overlooking the Yoshino River, Yakushi is less a spectacular object than a quiet focus of prayer for people facing illness and anxiety. The National Treasure octagonal hall in the grounds also preserves the temple’s long history from the Nara period, reinforcing the calm atmosphere of Yakushi devotion.
Rengeoin Temple
Buddhist Image Thousand-Armed Kannon Bosatsu Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市東山区三十三間堂廻町657
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
SolemnityDignityMystery
Sanjusangendo, the Main Hall of Rengeoin, contains a central seated Thousand-Armed Kannon Bosatsu surrounded by one thousand standing Thousand-Armed Kannon Bosatsu images arranged in ordered rows. The sight of countless Kannon figures filling the long hall gives physical form to the vast reach of salvation. The Twenty-Eight Attendants and statues of Fujin and Raijin add to the space, combining Kannon’s gentleness with solemn grandeur and a powerful sense of protection.
Rokuharamitsuji Temple
Buddhist Image Eleven-Faced Kannon Bosatsu Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市東山区ロクロ町81-1
Visiting Status Main Hall open for worship / principal image is secret and unveiled once every 12 years
MysteryDepthWarmth
An old Higashiyama temple associated with the monk Kuya. The Main Hall enshrines a National Treasure Eleven-Faced Kannon Bosatsu as its principal image, preserving prayers for protection from epidemics and the faith of ordinary people in the old capital. Normally kept as a secret image inside its shrine, the unseen Kannon gives the temple a quiet and mysterious atmosphere of devotion.
Koryuji Temple
Buddhist Image Miroku Bosatsu in Pensive Half-Seated Pose Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市右京区太秦蜂岡町32
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
StillnessMysteryGentleness
Koryuji in Uzumasa is known as one of Kyoto’s oldest temples. Its Treasure Hall houses the celebrated National Treasure Miroku Bosatsu in a pensive half-seated pose, renowned as Japan’s first National Treasure sculpture; the contemplative posture and quiet smile convey profound mystery. Against a history associated with Prince Shotoku and the Hata clan, visitors can encounter a beauty and devotion carried across the centuries.
Ninna-ji Temple
Buddhist Image Amida Triad Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市右京区御室大内33
Visiting Status Normally closed / special viewing periods held
PurityDignityStillness
The central hall of Ninna-ji, long known as the Omuro Imperial Palace temple. The Kondo enshrines the Amida Triad, and its refined architecture, transferred from the Imperial Palace, conveys a quiet dignity. Standing deep within the spacious grounds, the hall brings together the prestige of a monzeki temple with the peaceful salvation associated with Amida.
Toji Temple
Buddhist Image Three-Dimensional Mandala Category Other
京都府京都市南区九条町1
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
SolemnityDignityMystery
Toji’s Kodo Hall contains a three-dimensional mandala that expresses the world of esoteric Buddhism through Buddhist sculpture. Dainichi Nyorai occupies the center, surrounded by Tathagatas, Bosatsu, Myoo and deities, bringing prayer, wisdom, protection and salvation together within a single space. Rather than focusing on one principal image, the hall allows visitors to experience an esoteric Buddhist cosmos through the relationships among many statues, making it one of Toji’s defining sculptural spaces.
Toji Temple
Buddhist Image Yakushi Triad Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市南区九条町1
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
DignityPeacefulnessSolemnity
Toji’s Kondo is the temple’s Main Hall, founded together with the Heian capital. It enshrines the Yakushi Triad: Yakushi Nyorai in the center, flanked by Nikko Bosatsu and Gakko Bosatsu, preserving prayers for protection from illness and disaster. Whereas the Kodo’s three-dimensional mandala expresses the cosmos of esoteric Buddhism, the Kondo stands as Toji’s fundamental hall and conveys a quiet dignity and peace.
Byodoin Temple
Buddhist Image Seated Amida Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府宇治市宇治蓮華116
Visiting Status Regular viewing available / capacity limited; first-come, first-served
PeacefulnessPurityStillness
Byodoin’s Phoenix Hall enshrines the National Treasure seated Amida Nyorai by the sculptor Jocho. The view of the hall across the pond preserves an image of the Pure Land envisioned by Heian-period aristocrats. During interior visits, visitors can see Amida’s serene expression and the richly adorned hall at close range. Entry is capacity-limited and first-come, first-served, so visitors should pay attention to reception times.
Joruriji Temple
Buddhist Image Nine Seated Amida Nyorai Statues Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府木津川市加茂町西小札場40
Visiting Status Regular viewing available / note Main Hall reception hours
StillnessPeacefulnessSolemnity
Joruriji is an old Shingon Risshu temple in Tono, southern Kyoto Prefecture. Its complex, with the Main Hall to the west and the three-story pagoda to the east across a central pond, is said to represent the Pure Land in this world. The Main Hall houses nine National Treasure seated Amida Nyorai statues, with the central image flanked by four figures on each side. Their arrangement creates a quiet space that evokes being welcomed into Amida’s Pure Land and preserves the Pure Land faith of the Heian period.
Jingoji Temple
Buddhist Image Yakushi Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市右京区梅ケ畑高雄町5
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
StillnessDepthPurity
Jingoji’s Kondo, deep in the mountains of Takao, enshrines a Yakushi Triad centered on Yakushi Nyorai. Reached after climbing a long stone stairway, the hall carries the stillness and tension of a mountain temple and conveys the depth of Yakushi faith in calming illness and disaster. Although Jingoji is famous for autumn foliage, its Yakushi has the purity and powerful presence of the central Buddha of an ancient temple.
Daigoji Temple
Buddhist Image Five Great Myo-o Category Myo-o (Wisdom King)
京都府京都市伏見区醍醐東大路町22
Visiting Status Regular worship available / details should be confirmed
PowerDignityMystery
Daigoji’s Fudo Hall enshrines the Five Great Myoo centered on Fudo Myoo. While the Yakushi Triad of the Kondo receives gentle prayers as Daigoji’s central principal images, the Fudo Hall brings the forceful protective character of Myoo devotion to the foreground, driving away calamity and guarding worshippers. Closely connected with the temple’s major Godairiki-san Ninnoue ceremony, the hall conveys the tension and protective presence of esoteric Buddhism within the Shimo-Daigo complex.
Sennyu-ji Temple
Buddhist Image Buddhas of the Three Ages / Shaka Nyorai, Amida Nyorai and Miroku Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市東山区泉涌寺山内町27
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
StillnessPurityDignity
The Butsuden of Sennyu-ji, known as the “Imperial Temple,” enshrines three Buddhas representing the Three Ages: Amida Nyorai, Shaka Nyorai and Miroku Nyorai. Their arrangement symbolizes past, present and future, creating a devotional space that prays for peace across time. The hall combines the stillness associated with an imperial temple with a balanced and dignified presence.
Imakumano Kannonji Temple
Buddhist Image Eleven-Faced Kannon Bosatsu Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市東山区泉涌寺山内町32
Visiting Status Main Hall open for worship / principal image is secret; substitute image can be viewed
GentlenessPeacefulnessWarmth
The 15th temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, located within the Sennyu-ji temple precincts. Its principal image is a secret Eleven-Faced Kannon Bosatsu, while a substitute image is available for worship; the deity has long been affectionately known as the “Kannon of the Head.” With traditions connected to Kumano faith and Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa, the temple offers a quiet encounter with Kannon’s compassion and prayers for relief from suffering.
Seiryoji Temple
Buddhist Image Standing Shaka Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市右京区嵯峨釈迦堂藤ノ木町46
Visiting Status Regular viewing available / principal image unveiling dates should be confirmed
PurityStillnessDepth
Seiryoji, affectionately known as Saga Shakado, enshrines a standing Shaka Nyorai as the principal image of its Shakado Hall. The statue is revered as the “Living Shaka,” traditionally believed to reproduce the appearance of Shakyamuni during his lifetime, and became the model for the Seiryoji-style Shaka images. In the gentle atmosphere of Sagano, visitors can experience the depth of Shaka devotion transmitted to Japan and a quiet sense of purity.
Daihoonji Temple
Buddhist Image Shaka Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市上京区溝前町1034
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
DepthDignityStillness
An old temple in Kamigyo Ward affectionately known as Senbon Shakado. Its National Treasure Main Hall enshrines a seated Shaka Nyorai by the sculptor Gyokai, preserving the quiet strength of Kamakura Buddhism within one of Kyoto’s oldest surviving temple halls. The treasure hall also preserves statues of the Ten Great Disciples and Six Kannon, offering a close encounter with the beauty of Buddhist sculpture and centuries of devotion.
Eikando Zenrinji Temple
Buddhist Image Mikaeri Amida Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市左京区永観堂町48
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
GentlenessPeacefulnessWarmth
Eikando Zenrinji’s Amida Hall enshrines its principal image, the famous Mikaeri, or “Looking-Back,” Amida Nyorai. The figure turning over its left shoulder has long been understood as an image of compassion that waits for those who fall behind and walks together with them. Rather than facing only forward, Amida looks back toward others, conveying gentleness, peace and an intimate sense of salvation.
Hino Hokaiji Temple
Buddhist Image Amida Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市伏見区日野西大道町19
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
StillnessPeacefulnessPurity
Hokaiji’s Amida Hall houses a National Treasure seated Amida Nyorai. Paintings of flying celestial beings and decorative hosoge motifs remain inside, creating a space centered on Amida that evokes the Pure Land. Although the principal image of the temple as a whole is Yakushi Nyorai, the Amida Hall is one of Hokaiji’s defining Buddhist-image spaces, conveying quiet peace and the purity of Pure Land devotion.
Hobodaiin Gantokuji Temple
Buddhist Image Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市西京区大原野南春日町1223-2
Visiting Status Confirmation required
GentlenessMysteryDepth
An old temple in Oharano known as one of Kyoto’s smaller temples open for Buddhist-image viewing. The Main Hall enshrines a National Treasure half-seated Nyoirin Kannon Bosatsu, whose refined form also conveys a distinctly human warmth. In the quiet air at the foot of the mountains, visitors can face Kannon’s pure beauty and the deep presence of prayer.
Kodo Gyoganji Temple
Buddhist Image Thousand-Armed Kannon Bosatsu Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市中京区寺町通竹屋町上ル行願寺門前町17
Visiting Status Regular viewing available
WarmthGentlenessPeacefulness
Kodo Gyoganji’s Main Hall enshrines Thousand-Armed Kannon Bosatsu as its principal image. Known as a Kannon pilgrimage temple associated with the monk Gyoen, it has the approachable character of an urban temple that has received people’s prayers for centuries. As the 19th temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, it combines the atmosphere of pilgrimage with a gentle place of prayer that can be visited in everyday life.