Hi there!
If you are looking for ONE city in Japan to visit for shrines, Kyoto can be a perfect choice!
As an ancient capital of Japan, Kyoto has tons of shrines all around the city, big and small.
One of the most famous shrines in Japan can be found in Kyoto.
Shrines can be perfect to visit as part of your first trip to Japan because you can get a feel for traditional Japanese culture and history.
And, many grounds surrounding the shrines also can be a perfect nature walk with a stroll through Japanese gardens around the shrine.
With many shrines to visit, Kyoto is one of the best places to visit in Japan for traditional Japanese culture.
The most famous shrine in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine.
It is the iconic shrine of Japan that is known for having thousands (yes, thousands!) of bright orange torii gates that you can walk through.
Now…
Best shrines in Kyoto visit when it’s your first trip to Japan
1. Fushimi Inari Shrine
How to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto
You can go to the Fushimi Inari Shrine as part of a walk from Gion to Kiyomizu-dera.
See pictures of this Kyoto shrine:
For another “fushimi inari taisha shrine” there is a Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine in Sapporo too!
To walk through bright orange torii gates in Tokyo (although not as many in Kyoto!), there is the Hanazono Inari Jinja Shrine in Tokyo!
2. Kifune shrine
How to visit Kifune Shrine in Kyoto
You can go to the Kifune Shrine as part of your Kurama to Kibune hike where you do a temple-to-shrine culture walk.
You can use the Kurama Kibune Ohara one day pass to also go to the rural village of Ohara.
There are also temples that you can visit in Ohara.
3. Yasaka Shrine
How to visit Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto
You can go to the Yasaka Shrine as part of a walk from Gion to Kiyomizu-dera.
See pictures of this Kyoto shrine:
4. Heian Shrine
How to visit Heian Shrine in Kyoto
If you will be in Kyoto during cherry blossom season, then you can go to the Heian Shrine as part of your Kyoto cherry blossom itinerary.
Otherwise, you can go to the Heian Shrine after you do the Philosophers Path walk where you do a temple-to-temple culture walk.
The Heian Shrine is about a 20 minute walk from Nanzenji Temple, one of the temples along the Philosopher’s Path.
And that’s a bit about some of the best shrines in Kyoto!
HAPPY VISITING SHRINES IN KYOTO!
See more about how to visit these shrines as part of your time in Kyoto: Perfect Kyoto itinerary
More Kyoto history and culture: Best temples in Kyoto