Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited two prominent Buddhist temples here on Sunday on the first full day of a five-day visit to Japan that will later him to Tokyo.

Modi first went to the Toji temple accompanied by his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, who flew down to Kyoto on Saturday specially to receive the Indian leader.

External affairs ministry officials said Modi went around the 57 meters tall eighth century shrine in the company of the chief monk who explained to him various features of the temple.

Modi and Abe "rinkindle ancient India-Japan civilisational bonds with visit to Toji temple", a tweet by a ministry spokesman said. The temple is a Unesco World Heritage site.

The Indian prime minister then visited another ancient temple. The Kinkaku temple, also in Kyoto, was built in 1397.

At both places, Modi waved to crowds — Indians and Japanese. Some had reached the temples for a glimpse of Modi who took office in May.