What a lovely experience. You can sit in on a Buddhist ceremony where the people are friendly and welcoming. You can climb enough stairs to eat 3 dozen donuts afterwards and not gain an ounce. This temple and its grounds will keep you busy for a couple of hours even though one of the largest structures is closed for renovation. More

Most of the buildings were under tarpauline / scaffolding. Looks like should be fully re-opened in 2013. The gardens though are worth a visit on their own. More

I've been to Kyoto few times, the 2nd time when I were there I visited here because it got a night visit for the maple leaves time. I didn't expect how big the temple is, and how beautiful it is. Got a chance to visit the big buddha in the front gate (not open around the year), amazing and unforgettable... More

Intriguing history about the shrine/ the main gate (Apparently the chief designer of the main gate committed suicide because he overshot the budget for constructing the Shrine). The Steps behind the gate and the gardens were a great resting place. Also the Garden had its lone but fully bloomed Cherryblossom tree which was great to capture some great pictures More

A massive entrance gate to an enormous temple. The nightingale floor surrounds the temple and is so named because it squeaks( or sings) and was an early warning device in feudal times. Loved the craftsmanship. More

a 3000 years old temple that's worth walking up and look around. Its a very nice place to feel the 'ancient' style of temple. Recommended to visit within 30 mins, then head to Yasaka Shrine - within 10 minutes walking distance More

This was the first site we visited and the impressive Japanese entry "gate" was very spectacular. However, most of this site was under reconstruction and we did not get to experience it in all its glory. The giant bell is worth seeing at this site and so are the beautiful Japanese gardens More

The entrance to the site is the largest wooden gate (San-Mon) in Japan: 24m high, 50m wide, built in 1621. From there you walk up lots of seps to reach the temple complex and the main building Mie-do, built in 1639 by the founder of the Jodo sect. It is all on a colossal scale. Dont just walk to stop... More

it's huge! nothing much to do but take some photo or watch the shinto style buddhist ceremonial. More