(Small encyclopedia of Kyoto written by a stranger from Tokyo)

Non-sightseeing Temples in Upper area of Kyoto City 　　　　　　　　　　(INDEX：索引へ)

• My own classes
  
  
  • Temples which is famous, but of which sightseers are few
  • Temples which You can visit anytime without set up
    
    
  • Temples where you can see the shadow of legends
  • Temples where the Citzens of Kyoto pray for divine favor devoutly
    
    
  • Temples from which the Name of Avenue comes.
  • Temples which may become more famous, I wonder.
  • Temples which You'd better to visit in the best season.
    
    
  • Temples which You can't enter but You'd better to go near the gate because non-display.

• Temples which is famous, but of which sightseers are few (to Top)

  (Jodo Sect) 'Syojoke-in'	(Shingon Sect) 'Senbon Shaka-do'
  Kawaramachi Ave. Hirokouji above	Shichihonmatsu Ave. Imadegawa above
  One of 7 Head Temples of Jodo. You don't need to obey respectfully. Temples of Jodo are 'open'.	Main Hall (picture) is the oldest wooden architecture(Antei 1 (1227)) among remains in town. Always quiet.
  (Shingon Sect) 'Jobon Rendai-ji'	(Hokke Sect) 'Honryu-ji'
  Senbon Ave. Kita-ooji below	Chiekouin Ave. Gitsuji above
  'Jobon' means the highest class in Buddhism. Its sightseers are very rarely. Green is impressive.	It have the wide precincts, but its sightseers are few. It is serene in cherry blossom season.

  
  
• Temples which You can visit anytime without set up. (There is no need to hesitate to visit.) (to Top)

  (Jodo Sect) 'Chion-ji'	(Nichiren Sect) 'Myokaku-ji'
  Imadegawa St. Higashi-ooji east-in	Ogawa Ave. Kami-goryomae above
  One of 7 Head Temples of Jodo. As for Jodo Temple, You can always enter every precincts.	Some buildings are the remains of Juraku-dai (16th C). There are no Entrance Gate for easy visit.
  (Soto Sect of Zen) 'Douko-ji'	(Shingon Sect) 'Kitamuki Fudo Myoo'
  Onmae Ave. Shimo-dachiuri above	Anekouji St. Oomiya west-in
  It feels pleasant here because its precincts and Hojo (abbot's chamber) are wide and you see nobody.	'Fudo Myoo' means Acalathe God of Fire. Anybody want to enter because it is antique-looking.
  (Jodo Sect) 'Shojo-in'	(Rinzai Sect of Zen) 'Daisho-ji'
  Imadegawa St. Kawabata east-in	Karasuma Ave. Imadegawa above
  Its precinct is narrow. So, if you enter at the gate, you can meet 'guardian deity of children' soon.	This is the remains of 'Flower Shogunal Palace' in Muromachi period. Always beautiful flowers bloom.

  
  
• Temples where you can see the shadow of legends. (to Top)

  (Jodo Sect) 'Amida-ji'	(Soto Sect of Zen) 'Ten'nei-ji'
  Teramachi Ave. Kami-goryomae below	Teramachi Ave. Kuramaguchi below
  There is Oda Nobunaga's Mausoleum (This is a genuine article).	There is the grave of Kanamori Sowa who was a 'Tea Master' in 16th C. and the view of Mt.Hiei.
  (Nichiren Sect) 'Honpou-ji'	(Nichiren Sect) 'Myoken-ji'
  Ogawa Ave. Teranouchi above	Teranouchi St. Shinmachi weat-in
  You can see 'Tomoe Garden' designed by Hon'ami Koetsu and 'Nirvana Painting' by Hasegawa Tohaku.	There is the grave of Ogata Korin who paited the national treasure 'Iris folding screen' in 18th C.
  (Jodo Sect) 'Joko-ji'	(Jodo Sect) 'Eko-in'
  Teranouchi St. Senbon east-in	Onmae Ave. Ichijo below
  There is the grave of Ike no Taiga who established Japanese style of 'literati painting' in 18th C.	There is the grave of Nagasawa Rosetsu who painted the capriccioso wall paintings in 18-19th C.
  (Hokke Sect) 'Jakko-ji'	(Jodo Sect) 'Syoko-ji'
  Nioumon St. Higashi-ooji west-in	Teramachi Ave. Ayanokouji below
  There are the graves of many game players who titled Hon'inbo (the grand master of the game of go).	There is the grave of Amanoya Rihei who are famous in 'the Story of 47 Ronins'.

  
  
• Temples where the Citzens of Kyoto pray for divine favor devoutly (to Top)

  (Shingon Sect) 'Injo-ji' (called 'Senbon Enma-do')	(Jodo Sect) 'Sekizo-ji' (called 'Kugunuki Jizo')
  Senbon Ave. Rozanji above	Senbon Ave. Kami-dachiuri above
  If you pray to Enma, you'll get 10 thousand times of the divine favor. You don't lie to Enma.	It worship Kuginuki (pull out the nail) Jizo who relieve your pains as if you step on the nail.
  (Tendai Sect) 'Jozen-ji'	(Shugendo) 'Godai Rikison'
  Kuramaguchi St. Teramachi east-in	Kasuga-kita St. Yoshida-higashi west-in
  It worship 'Jizo at Kuramaguchi' which in one of 'Six Jizos guarding Kyoto'.	If you tag a talisman of Godai Rikison on your entrance-wall of home, You are kept to be stolen.
  (Obaku Sect of Zen) 'Yakushi-in'	(Jodo Sect) 'Shonen-ji' So calld 'Cat Temple'.
  Kamanza Ave. Nijo above	Jofukuji Ave. Teranouchi above
  It is said that Yakushi Nyorai (Buddha able to cure all ills) is calling 'Hurry up to come' for patients.	The 3rd priest loved cats. Since then, it revers the soul of cats, and holds memorial services for cats.

  
  
• Temples from which the Name of Avenue comes. (to Top)

  (Jodo Sect) 'Chiekou-in'	(Tendai Sect) 'Jofuku-ji'
  Chiekouin Ave. Ichijo above	Jofukuji Ave. Ichijo above
  When you enter from the gate which faces 'Chiekouin Ave.', You can find the main hall in the precinct.	When you enter from the red gate which faces 'Jofukuji Ave.', You can find the Syaka-do (picture).

  
  
• Temples which may become more famous, I wonder. (to Top)

  (Tendai Sect) 'Rokkaku-do'	(Jodo Sect) 'Ho'on-ji' (called: Naki-Tora)
  Rokkaku St. Higashinotouin west-in	Kamidachiuri St. Horikawa east-in, and above
  It is located at the just center (as if navel) of in Heian-kyo (Kyoto City). See Ikebana.	It is famous for teh wall scroll painting 'Barking Tiger' and the bell (picture) which anybody don't hit.
  (Tendai Sect) 'Gyogan-ji' (called: Kwau-do)	(Shin Buddhism) 'Okazaki Betsu-in'
  Teramachi Ave. Takeyamachi St.	Marutamachi St. Shirakawa west-in
  It is the 19th temple of Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, there are many pilgrims but few sightseers.	The founder of Shin Buddhism, Shinran lived here temporary. So called 'Okazaki Gobo', too.

  
  
• Temples which You'd better to visit in the best season. (to Top)

  (Jodo Sect) 'Jizo-in' (called: Camellia Temple)	(Jodo Sect) 'Jogan-ji'
  Ichijo St. Nishi-ooji Ave.	Ichijo St. Onmae west-in
  It is a famous tree, 5 differrent colors of flowers with double petals bloom on the tree of camellia.	Brilliant cherry blossoms bloom on the weeping cherry tree in the wide precinct.
  (Tendai Sect) 'Shin'nyo-do'	(Nichiren Sect) 'Myoren-ji'
  Marutamachi St. Shirakawa west-in, and above	Teranouchi St. Omiya east-in
  Lindenbaum bloom at here and 'Kurodani' temple in Kyoto. You can enjoy free because Jodo.	This is renowned for cherry blossoms for only its parishioners. So, It is not crowded in April.

  
  
• Temples which You can't enter but You'd better to go near the gate because non-display. (to Top)

  (Jodo Sect) 'Sanji Chion-ji'	(Rinzai Sect of Zen) 'Hoji-in'
  Shinmachi Ave. Kamidachiuri bekow	Koromonotana Ave. Teranouchi above
  This is a convent whose chief nun is an Imperial Princess, called 'Irie Palace'. It feels dignities.	It is a convent whose 1st chief nun was an Princess, called 'Chiyono Palace'. It feels dignities, also.
  (Jisyu Sect) 'Kosho-ji' (called:Kuuya-do）	(Rinzai Sect of Zen) 'Jisho-in'
  Takoyakushi St. Aburanokouji west-in	Karasuma Ave. Kami-goryomae below
  You can recollect 'Kuuya' who is a pioneer reciting 'Amida' just looking the gate engraved 'Kuuya-do'.	It is the sub-temple of Shokoku-ji. Although non-display, You can access here.