Begin your journey at Kōdō (Kakudō), a small but beloved temple just south of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Once a community gathering place for the people of northern Kyoto, it remains a quiet sanctuary hidden within the city.

Next, visit Rokkakudō, a hexagonal temple said to be the spiritual “navel” of Kyoto. Its unusual shape is modeled after the island home of Kannon in Buddhist cosmology, making it a place of symbolic depth.

After that, head to Rokuharamitsu-ji, a temple rich in stories. One of its most famous legends tells of a monk who carried a Kannon statue through plague-stricken Kyoto on a cart, offering hope and healing. Your guide will share even more tales tied to this remarkable place.

Arrive at the iconic Kiyomizu-dera, famous for its wooden stage overlooking the hills. This too is a reflection of scripture—Kannon is said to dwell on a high cliff, watching over the world with compassion.

From there, continue to Sanjūsangen-dō, home to an awe-inspiring array of 1,000 golden statues of the Thousand-Armed Kannon. By this point in the tour, having encountered so many forms of Kannon, you may begin to see her not just as an image, but as a living presence.

Finally, visit Imakumano Kannon-ji, nestled in the forested foothills of eastern Kyoto. This temple has deep ties to the sacred Kumano region of southern Japan, and was built by a member of the imperial family who sought to recreate that spiritual atmosphere here in Kyoto.