noun
the many temples of Kyoto; 808 temples
A poetic or historical expression referring to the great number of temples in Kyoto, literally '808 temples'. Not used in everyday counting; it evokes the cultural richness of the city.
京都は八百八寺と言われるほど、多くの寺がある。
Kyoto has so many temples that it is said to have 808 temples.
Similarly uses 八百八 to mean 'a great many', referring to the bridges of Osaka.
八百八 (happyaku-ya, '808') is a traditional Japanese expression for a large, indefinite number, combined with 寺 (tera, 'temple'). The reading やでら is a rendaku form.