Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3.   Kennin-ji, Kyoto Kennin-ji is a historic Zen Buddhist temple, one of the ten Zen Gozan (Five Mountain) temples protected and controlled by the shogunate. As much of the site was undergoing restoration during our visit, we didn’t explore much of the temple complex, but I did encounter ... Read more »

Part 1 & Part 2. Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto As the head Inari shrine, Fushimi Inari-taisha is large and grand. Inari is the kami (spirit) of fertility, rice and industry, amongst others and many pray for success with their harvests and in business. A popular way to give thanks to Inari is to donate a torii ... Read more »

Part 1.   Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine, Kyoto This temple wasn’t on our shortlist of those we really wanted to visit (there are so very many, especially in Kyoto) but it should have been. Instead, we stumbled across it when walking from Kennin-ji to Yasaka Pagoda. The entrance is in a quiet residental street, through a ... Read more »

Even for those who are not religious, or who follow a different faith, it’s an uplifting and beautiful experience to visit Shinto and Buddhist shrines and temples in Japan. Before entering a shrine, visitors usually wash their hands and mouth with spring water. Shrines have a fresh spring water pool provided and bamboo ladles with ... Read more »