Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple — Attraction in Kyoto

Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple was at the top of my must-visit list, and it certainly did not disappoint! I arrived around 9:30 am, having taken the regular bus from my hotel. I highly recommend this method of transportation, as it allowed me to experience the authentic side of Kyoto, far from the typical tourist spots.

As I stepped onto the temple grounds, I was immediately captivated by the magical and spiritual atmosphere. Surrounded by lush greenery and the serene presence of over 8,000 unique stone Jizo statues, I felt a deep sense of peace and reflection wash over me. Each statue has its own personality, which adds to the enchanting experience.

The tranquility of the temple provided the perfect backdrop for contemplation and connection, allowing me to immerse myself in a deep state of mindfulness. I spent a considerable amount of time wandering through the paths, taking in the beauty of the environment, and appreciating the craftsmanship of the Jizo statues.

Overall, my visit to Adashino Nenbutsuji was a highlight of my trip to Kyoto. It’s a place that resonates with spiritual energy and offers a profound experience that goes beyond just sightseeing. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to explore the deeper, quieter side of this beautiful city.

Ticket: 500 yen cash only. Visiting during summertime; make sure to hydrate. I’m so grateful to the universe for this experience! On my way out, the crowd started walking in! Tourists: When it says "Don’t take pictures," please respect this request. Some areas are meant for prayers, and it’s very rude to record or capture...

Welcome to a temple tucked away in the hills of northwest Kyoto where you will simultaneously feel eerily insignificant and completely at peace. Imagine being wrapped in a Monet painting if Monet had a goth phase—13,000 stone statues, moss-kissed and shoulder-to-shoulder like they’re silently watching you process your own mortality.

This place isn’t tourist quiet. It’s funeral quiet. No buses. No megaphone-wielding guides. No jostling elbows. Just the breeze, the rustling of bamboo, and a cemetery so still you could hear your soul sigh.

The stone Buddhas (gorintō) were originally placed here to honor the unclaimed dead. It’s sobering. It’s surreal. It’s beautifully weird. The kind of place where you feel time slow down—where it’s okay to not know what to feel, because the space lets you just… be.

And then, out of nowhere: tanuki statues playing baseball and riding scooters. Because Japan. A light laugh to balance the heavy. Genius.

Walk the bamboo grove on the way out—it’s quieter than Arashiyama, and the filtered light makes it feel like nature is exhaling around you.

Adashino Nenbutsuji isn’t just a detour. It’s a recalibration. A place to remember the dead, and maybe, oddly, to feel a...

The perfect day? Splurge ($14 usd) on an early morning taxi to Adashino N-Temple. 9am opening and be there for that. The early morning picture opportunities are perfect which include their "minii" bamboo forest which is where you can get your private picture opps. This then allows you to stroll down the Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street and into the Arashiyama Bamboo Forst and the park. Next enter the Tenryu-ji which is a top 3 temple in all of Kyoto and the surronding areas. So you have just saved all the time of backtracking and started at the upper end and finished all of that by 11-11:30am. Beat the crowds and then got to the main street vendor avenue of Arashiyama when all the restaurants are now open for lunch. Spend the next few hours walking along this main street and seeing the famous Togetsukyo Bridge and the final tip is to pay the $ 250 yen cheap price to take the special Arashiyama special street car like train back into town in Kyoto. Can walk from there (30 min but nice markets and restaurant areas to stop into) or take a taxi back to Gion. A truly amazing day starting with this area near the Adashino...