Kyoto · Sagano · Japan

Nisonin Temple

templemaple viewinghistoricgoogle verified

easy

9/10

best: autumn, morning

historic, intimate, seasonal

A local would say...

Two Buddhas stand side by side here, which almost never happens — and the floors sing when you walk on them.

Originally built in the 9th century by Emperor Saga, this temple houses two important Kamakura-era Buddha statues — Shaka and Amida — standing side by side. The temple features famous lacquered nightingale floors. It is particularly popular with maple-viewers in autumn, when the approach lane turns brilliant red and orange.