Vegan Activities in Kyōto-shi

Fushimi Inari-taisha is the head shrine of the god Inari. It is located in Kyoto, Japan, Inari is the god of rice, but is also seen in Japanese culture as the patron of business, and has been worshipped by merchants and manufacturers. The orange gates, or torii, leading to the shrine are arguably the area’s most iconic structures.

Located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, Chion-in is connected to Hōnen (1133-1212), the founder of the Jōdo Shū (Pure Land Sect) of Buddhism. It was here at Chion-in that Hōnen taught chanting the name of Amida (Sanskrit: Amitabha) to attain salvation, and it was here that he spent his final years. Today, with over 7,000 temples, the teachings of Hōnen have spread throughout Japan. Since 1523, Chion-in has been the head temple of the Jōdo Shū. Also, Chion-in is highly appealing from a cultural standpoint, since it received donations from the Tokugawa shogun (supreme military commander) during the early Edo (1600-1867) period, and was built by the master artisans of the day.

Higashiyama Ginkaku-ji is one of the Tatchu temples of Shokoku. Ginkakuji in the name derived from the Edo era, and it was built with Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Palace, in mind. Ginkaku-ji is called the Silver Pavillion, because like the Golden Palace, the intention was to coat the temple in silver. Howerver, that never came to be, but the name remains. The mountain villa Higashiyama hall that was built by Yoshimasa Ashikaga of Muromachi shogunate Yashiro Shogun and origin, after the death of Yoshimasa, was named Ginkaku-ji after the Hogo慈照Institute of Yoshimasa become a temple of the Rinzai sect.

Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyoto was first built in 778. Since then, it has been supported by huge public devotion as one of the biggest religious symbols. In other words, it has been a spiritual hometown for all Japanese people, which is really unique unlike most other temples in Japan. The name of Kiyomizu means clear and holy water which has never stoped in the waterfall named Otowa. Fortunately, the temple is now such a famous tourist spot that there are many visitors not only from Japan but also from all over the world. Hopefully, they have a moment to feel peaceful in their minds and hearts.