八はっ百ぴゃく八や寺でら

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.

• 京きょう都とは八はっ百ぴゃく八や寺でらと言いわれるほど、多おおくの寺てらがある。

  Kyoto has so many temples that it is said to have 808 temples.