Otani Hombyo Temple is like the perfect starting point for your Gion shrine-hopping adventure. While it might not make the front of tourist pamphlets (15,000 tombstones isn't exactly pulling in all the tourists), its location makes it an ideal gateway to exploring the bigger, more famous shrines in the Gion area.

The temple itself is surprisingly peaceful, especially compared to the tourist crowds you'll find at other Kyoto spots. You've got your classic temple features - nice main hall, statue of Shinran Shonin (the Buddhist monk who started the whole Jodo Shinshu thing), and this really cool Nitenmon Gate. But the real value here is using it as your launching pad into the heart of Gion's shrine district.