Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Temples & Shrines
Kyoto's temples and shrines are the main draw for many visitors
to the city, and for good reason: they are among the best ex-
amples of religious architecture on earth. Moreover, temples are
where you will find Japan's most superb gardens. With over
1000 Buddhist temples and more than 400 Shintō shrines, ex-
ploring these wonders is the work of a lifetime.
What to Do at a Temple
There are no steadfast rituals you must follow when visiting a Buddhist temple. Many
temples require that you remove your shoes before climbing the steps into the main hall. If
there is a low slatted board
(sunoko)
on the ground, step out of your shoes onto this.
At many temples, you can pay a small fee (usually ¥500) for a cup of
matcha
(powdered
green tea) and a Japanese sweet, which you can enjoy while looking over the garden. Few
foreigners take advantage of this wonderful way to enjoy a temple.
TEMPLE TIP
Visiting temples usually means removing your shoes at least once. A pair of slip-on shoes will make this a lot
easier.
What to Do at a Shrine
There is a distinct ritual to visiting a shrine, but as long as you behave in a respectful man-
ner, you do not have to follow it closely. If you want to do as the locals do, here is the basic
drill: rinse your mouth and hands with pure water at a
temizuya
(small pavilion), using the
stone ablution
chōzuya
(basin) and
hishaku
(bamboo ladle) provided for this purpose. Rinse
both hands before pouring water into a cupped hand to rinse the mouth. Do not spit the wa-
ter into the basin; rather, spit it onto the gravel that surrounds the basin.
