Photo= A screen view of the audio-guidance app that has been adopted by 26 temples and shrines (Myoman-ji Temple, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto)

"Kyoto Rakuhoku Mori to Mizu no Kai," or an association consisting of temples and shrines in Kita and Sakyo Wards, Kyoto, announced on July 26 that its 26 member temples and shrines would introduce an English audio-guidance system for their precincts. Guidance is provided through a smartphone app, which became available on August 1.

The audio-guide has adopted a system developed by a Tokyo-based company. When tourists download the special app to their smartphone, they can listen to an approximately one-minute English summary of each temple or shrine they visit.

Along with the summaries, some temples and shrines have information segments of 40-seconds to one-minute each describing between eight and twenty sites, including buildings and famous places, in their precincts. When tourists select the information, they can enjoy the history and teachings of location. The summaries are free. There is a 360 yen charge for the precinct information per temple or shrine. Communication charges apply.

An association director shared their expectations, saying, "Up until now some temples and shrines have only provided an English flyer for foreign visitors. We hope that the introduction of this app will create better publicity for the northern part of Kyoto City."

The app is compatible only with iOS. There are future plans to introduce an Android version, as well as Chinese and Korean versions.

The temples and shrines that have adopted the app are as follows:

▽Kita Ward= Kamigamo Shrine and Ota Shrine ▽Sakyo Ward= Shimogamo Shrine, Manshuin Temple, Kifune Shrine, Yukijinjya Shrine, Kurama-dera Temple, Konpuku-ji Temple, Sagimori Jinja Shrine, Shisen-do, Kochidaniamida-ji Temple, Jakko-in Temple, Sudo Shrine, Enko-ji Temple, Jikko-in Temple, Tanukidanisan Fudoin Temple, Myoman-ji Temple, Hosen-in Temple, Miyake Hachiman Shrine, Raiko-in Temple, Hachidai-jinja Shrine, Sekizan Zen-in Temple, Tanaka Jinja Shrine, Shorin-in Temple, Nembutsu-ji Temple and Kawai Shrine