Find Buddhist Spots
A connection with a Buddha image may appear unexpectedly. Search for places that may lead you to your own My Buddha.
Kochidani Amidaji Temple
Buddhist Image Seated Amida Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市左京区大原古知平町83
Visiting Status Regular viewing available (9:00–16:00; closed January and February)
StillnessDepthPeacefulness
Founded in 1609 by the monk Mokujiki Dansai as a nenbutsu practice center in the mountains north of Ohara, Kochidani Amidaji enshrines a seated Amida Nyorai in its Main Hall, also known as the Founder's Hall. The image is designated an Important Cultural Property. The same hall also contains an image of Dansai traditionally known as the “hair-planted image” because his own hair was inserted into it. The temple is normally open from 9:00 to 16:00 and closed in January and February, offering a quiet encounter with an Important Cultural Property Amida amid a deep mountain setting.
Hokanji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda)
Buddhist Image Five Wisdom Tathagata Images Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市東山区八坂上町388
Visiting Status Advance confirmation required (10:00–15:00; irregular closing days)
SolemnityMysteryDignity
Hokanji’s five-story pagoda, a landmark of Higashiyama, was rebuilt in 1440 by Ashikaga Yoshinori and is designated an Important Cultural Property. Its first story enshrines the Five Wisdom Tathagatas: Dainichi, Shaka, Ashuku, Hosho, and Amida. Opening days are irregular, but when open, visitors may enter from 10:00 to 15:00 and climb as far as the second story. Worshipping the five Buddhas inside a historic pagoda offers one of Kyoto’s most distinctive Buddhist-image experiences.
Sankoji Temple
Buddhist Image Standing Amida Nyorai (Rensho Dakitome Amida) Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市西京区大原野石作町1323
Visiting Status Advance confirmation recommended (Main Hall and Guest Hall 9:00–16:00)
PeacefulnessDepthNobility
Sankoji, the head temple of the Seizan school, preserves a standing Amida Nyorai from the Kamakura period. The joined-wood statue is 66.0 cm high and is known as the “Rensho Dakitome Amida.” Temple tradition connects it with Rensho, the warrior-poet Utsunomiya Yoritsuna who became a monk, as the Amida image he is said to have caught in his arms. It is an important devotional image conveying Sankoji’s Pure Land faith. The Main Hall and Guest Hall are open from 9:00 to 16:00, though advance confirmation is recommended because temple staff may occasionally be absent.
Chorakuji Temple
Buddhist Image Standing Statue of Ippen Shonin Category Other
京都府京都市東山区円山町626
Visiting Status Regular viewing available (9:00–17:00; closed Thursdays)
DepthNobilityStillness
A life-size wooden standing portrait of Ippen Shonin, founder of the Ji school. An inscription inside the image identifies it as a work of the Kei-school Buddhist sculptor Koshu made in 1420, and it is designated an Important Cultural Property. It was originally preserved at Konkoji, the Ji-school Shichijo dojo, and was transferred to Chorakuji in 1908 after Konkoji ceased to exist. The repository permanently displays seven portraits of Yugyo priests, including Ippen, and they can be seen during regular admission. Its vivid realism makes this an especially rewarding place to encounter Buddhist portrait sculpture in Kyoto.
Saimyoji Temple
Buddhist Image Standing Shaka Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市右京区梅ケ畑槇尾町1
Visiting Status Regular viewing available (Main Hall 9:00–17:00)
DignityDepthStillness
An old temple of the Shingon-shu Daikakuji-ha school in Makinoo, Takao. Tradition says it was founded during the Tencho era (824–834) by Chisen, a leading disciple of Kukai, and the present Main Hall was rebuilt in 1700 through the patronage of Keishoin. Its principal image is a standing Shaka Nyorai in the Seiryoji style, designated an Important Cultural Property. Traditionally attributed to Unkei, the image follows a distinctive form said to represent the living appearance of Shakyamuni. In the quiet mountain setting of the Sanbi area, it is a rewarding place to encounter Buddhist sculpture directly.
Shuon-an Ikkyuji Temple
Buddhist Image Wooden Statue of Ikkyu Zenji Category Other
京都府京田辺市薪里ノ内102
Visiting Status Regular viewing available (9:00–17:00; last admission 16:30)
DepthNobilityStillness
Enshrined in the Shodo at the center of the Hojo of Shuon-an Ikkyuji, where Ikkyu Zenji spent his later years, this portrait statue is closely tied to the Zen master himself. Tradition holds that in 1481, the year of Ikkyu’s death, he ordered his senior disciple Bokusai to have the image made, and that his own hair and beard were implanted in it. The life-size wooden portrait is highly realistic and is designated an Important Cultural Property. During regular admission, visitors can encounter a Buddhist portrait sculpture that conveys Ikkyu’s presence with unusual immediacy.
Ryogen-in
Buddhist Image Seated Shaka Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市北区紫野大徳寺町82-1
Visiting Status Regular viewing available (9:00–16:30; may close during memorial services)
RefinementDignityStillness
The principal image enshrined in the Hojo of Ryogen-in, a subtemple of Daitokuji. This seated Shaka Nyorai was created in 1250 by the Buddhist sculptor Gyoshin and is designated an Important Cultural Property. Ryogen-in itself was founded in 1502, and its Hojo, Karamon gate, and front gate also survive from the temple’s founding and are designated Important Cultural Properties. A major attraction is the chance to encounter a Kamakura-period principal image roughly 250 years older than the Muromachi-period Zen temple space that surrounds it.
Shogoin Monzeki
Buddhist Image Fudo Myo-o Statue Category Myo-o (Wisdom King)
京都府京都市左京区聖護院中町15
Visiting Status Regular worship available (9:30–16:30; access may be partly restricted during services)
DignityPowerMystery
The principal image of Shogoin Monzeki, head temple of the Honzan Shugenshu school. The Fudo Myoo statue dates to the late Heian period and is designated an Important Cultural Property. It holds a wisdom sword in the right hand and a rope in the left, with curled hair tied in a topknot, and has been preserved as the temple’s principal image since Shogoin’s founding despite repeated fires. Under normal conditions it can be worshipped free of charge in the Fudo Hall at the rear of the garden, offering direct contact with the long tradition of Fudo devotion at a major center of Shugendo.
Fukutokuji Temple
Buddhist Image Seated Yakushi Nyorai, Standing Jikokuten and Standing Zochoten Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市右京区京北下中町寺ノ下15
Visiting Status Advance reservation required
DepthDignityStillness
A Soto Zen temple in Keihoku Shimonakacho. Tradition holds that it originated as Yugedera, founded by Gyoki in 711. The repository houses a wooden seated Yakushi Nyorai together with standing Jikokuten and Zochoten statues from the Fujiwara period, all designated Important Cultural Properties. Its main attraction is the chance to view a group of Heian-period Buddhist sculptures centered on Yakushi Nyorai. The temple grounds are freely accessible, but advance reservations are required to view the Important Cultural Property statues.
Anshoji Temple
Buddhist Image Standing Eleven-Faced Kannon Bosatsu Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市山科区御陵平林町22
Visiting Status Normally closed to the public (special viewing on designated dates in 2026)
NobilityDepthStillness
An old Koyasan Shingon temple north of the Yamashina Canal. It is said to have been founded in 848 by the monk Eun at the request of Empress Dowager Fujiwara no Junshi. The principal image is a monumental standing Eleven-Faced Kannon Bosatsu dating back to the Nara period, carved from a single piece of kaya wood and finished with lacquer and gold leaf. Measuring 252.5 cm in height, it is designated an Important Cultural Property. The temple is normally closed, but on designated special-viewing dates in 2026 visitors can see the image at close range inside the Kannon Hall.
Shakuzen-in Junteido
Buddhist Image Fudo Myo-o Statue Category Myo-o (Wisdom King)
京都府京都市左京区聖護院中町14
Visiting Status Regular worship available (9:00–16:00; irregular closing days)
DignityPowerDepth
A Honzan Shugenshu temple standing just east of Shogoin Monzeki. Shakuzen-in was established as an inge temple between the late Heian and early Kamakura periods. Its principal wooden Fudo Myoo statue dates to the early Kamakura period and is designated an Important Cultural Property. About 95 cm tall, it is notable for closely resembling the Fudo Myoo of Shogoin Monzeki. Today it is enshrined in the inner sanctuary of the Main Hall together with Juntei Kannon and other images, allowing regular visitors to encounter a tradition of Fudo devotion deeply connected with Shugendo.
Myohoin Monzeki
Buddhist Image Wooden Fugen Bosatsu Riding an Elephant Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市東山区妙法院前側町447
Visiting Status Normally closed to the public (opened for the annual Satsuki-e on May 14; program may change)
NobilityRefinementStillness
A Tendai monzeki temple known as the head temple of Sanjusangendo. The principal image of the Fugen Hall is a Heian-period wooden Fugen Bosatsu seated in prayer on a six-tusked white elephant, designated an Important Cultural Property. The temple is normally closed to the public, but cultural properties are opened during the annual Satsuki-e on May 14. Because the kuri is undergoing restoration through 2027, access to the grounds and the Satsuki-e program may be changed.
Hiden-in
Buddhist Image Seated Hokan Amida Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京都市東山区泉涌寺山内町35
Visiting Status Advance reservation required (9:00–16:00; viewing may sometimes be unavailable)
RefinementNobilityStillness
Enshrined to the left of the principal image in the Main Hall of Hiden-in, a subtemple of Sennyuji, this wooden seated Amida Nyorai dates to the Kamakura period. With its high topknot and crown, it is known as the Hokan Amida Nyorai. Inscriptions inside the image and its style indicate that it was made by Kaikei relatively early in his career, before he received the rank of Hokkyō. It was designated a Kyoto Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property in 2022. The controlled drapery and taut form clearly show Kaikei’s refined sculptural style. Viewing hours are 9:00–16:00, but advance reservation is required because access may sometimes be unavailable.
Dainenji Temple
Buddhist Image Wooden Standing Amida Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府乙訓郡大山崎町字大山崎小字上ノ田69
Visiting Status Advance reservation required (9:00–16:00; reserve at least one month in advance)
RefinementNobilityStillness
A Jodo-shu temple at the foot of Mt. Tennozan, just below Hoshakuji. It was founded in 1555 with Tokuyo Konen as its founding priest. The wooden standing Amida Nyorai in the Main Hall dates to the Kamakura period and is about 82 cm tall. Designated an Important Cultural Property, it is regarded as an excellent work preserving an older Tendai-lineage style of Amida imagery. Viewing the statue requires an advance reservation separate from ordinary precinct access, with reservations requested at least one month beforehand.
Kiminozan Komyoji Temple
Buddhist Image Wooden Nio Statues Category Tenbu (Deva)
京都府綾部市睦寄町君尾1-1
Visiting Status Viewing available from the temple grounds (free)
PowerDignityTense Presence
An old temple on the mountainside of Mt. Kimino in Ayabe. Its Niomon Gate was built in 1248 and is the only National Treasure building in northern Kyoto Prefecture. Wooden Nio statues stand on both sides inside the gate and are designated Important Cultural Properties. Unlike many Nio gates where the statues are placed toward the front, these are set in the rear bays, preserving a rare arrangement associated with medieval Nio devotion. The grounds are free to visit, allowing visitors to see the National Treasure gate and its guardian statues together at close range.
Endonji Temple
Buddhist Image Seated Yakushi Nyorai, Standing Nikko Bosatsu and Standing Gakko Bosatsu Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京丹後市久美浜町円頓寺
Visiting Status Temple grounds freely accessible / advance reservation required for the repository
GentlenessRefinementStillness
An old temple in a quiet mountain area in eastern Kumihama. Its repository houses a Yakushi triad consisting of the principal wooden seated Yakushi Nyorai and standing Nikko and Gakko Bosatsu. All three are joined-wood sculptures with lacquer and gold-leaf finish, dating to the late Heian period. The central image is 84.5 cm tall, while Nikko Bosatsu is 137.0 cm and Gakko Bosatsu 139.4 cm. The group is designated an Important Cultural Property as a fine example of the gentle, elegant Jocho style. The temple grounds are freely accessible, but viewing the statues inside the repository requires an advance reservation.
Nyoiji Temple
Buddhist Image Higiri Fudo Myo-o Category Myo-o (Wisdom King)
京都府京丹後市久美浜町1845
Visiting Status Regular worship available (8:00–19:00; free admission)
PowerDignityWarmth
An old Koyasan Shingon temple overlooking Kumihama Bay. Its Fudo Hall enshrines the Higiri Fudo Myoo, traditionally said to have been carved by Kukai with his fingernail, and prayers are performed there every day. The present Fudo Hall was rebuilt in 1983 as a 26-meter-high two-story hogo-style structure blending Japanese, Chinese, and Indian architectural elements. Yakushi Nyorai, Bishamonten, and En no Gyoja are also enshrined inside. Admission to the temple grounds is free, and visitors can encounter a living tradition of Fudo devotion that continues through daily prayer.
Honganji Temple
Buddhist Image Wooden Standing Amida Nyorai Category Nyorai (Tathagata)
京都府京丹後市久美浜町1
Visiting Status Regular worship available (group visits require reservation)
GentlenessRefinementDepth
An old Jodo-shu temple in Juraku, Kumihama. Its Main Hall is thought to date from the late Kamakura period and is designated an Important Cultural Property as the oldest surviving building in the Tango region. The principal wooden standing Amida Nyorai dates to the Kamakura period and is designated a Kyoto Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property. Its gentle frontal expression and drapery preserve the Fujiwara tradition, while the side profile shows a firmer, more dynamic early-Kamakura character, combining older conventions with a newer sculptural sensibility. The temple also preserves traditions associated with Honen and a large group of small Buddhist images, making it an important site for the medieval Buddhist culture of Kumihama.
Taneji Temple
Buddhist Image Wooden Kongo Rikishi Statues (Agyo and Ungyo) Category Tenbu (Deva)
京都府舞鶴市多祢寺346
Visiting Status Advance contact required (Treasure Hall 9:00–17:00; 9:00–16:00 from November to March)
PowerDignityTense Presence
An old Shingon Toji-ha temple on the mountainside of Mt. Tane on the Oura Peninsula. Its Treasure Hall houses two wooden Kongo Rikishi statues made in the Kamakura period and designated Important Cultural Properties. The Agyo figure is about 3.58 m tall and the Ungyo about 3.56 m, making them among the largest Nio statues in Japan. Originally placed at a temple gate, they were later moved into the Treasure Hall for preservation, where visitors can see their powerful bare-chested forms and fierce expressions at close range. Advance contact is required to view the Treasure Hall.
Daizenji Temple
Buddhist Image Standing Jizo Bosatsu Category Bosatsu (Bodhisattva)
京都府京都市伏見区桃山町西町24
Visiting Status Regular worship available (9:00–16:00; free admission)
WarmthDepthStillness
A Jodo-shu temple in Momoyamacho, Fushimi Ward, widely known as Rokujizo-son. The wooden standing Jizo Bosatsu enshrined in the hexagonal Jizo Hall is designated an Important Cultural Property. Temple tradition holds that it is one of six Jizo images carved from a single tree by Ono no Takamura, and that all six were originally enshrined here, giving rise to the name Rokujizo, or Six Jizos. Five were later distributed to entrances along major roads leading into Kyoto, creating the tradition of the Kyoto Rokujizo pilgrimage that continues today. The temple is normally open from 9:00 to 16:00 with free admission, offering direct contact with a long-established tradition of Jizo devotion.