Top 40 Places to Visit in Kyoto

Tokyo, as we all know is the capital of Japan, but did you know that Kyoto was once the capital of Japan? Kyoto is located on the island of Honshu, being the capital of Japan in the past, Kyoto is filled with historically rich, stunning architectures. Many of Japan’s most famous Shrines and Temples are located in Kyoto. Shrines and Temples like Kiyomizu-dera, Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangen-do, and Kinkakuji are some of the beautiful heritages Kyoto has to offer. Apart from its stunning Shrines and Temples, Kyoto is also known for its beautiful natural scenery, those of which can be seen in places like Maruyama Park, Arashiyama, mt. Hiei and many more stunning scenery in Kyoto. Here we give you a list of 40 places you have to visit in Kyoto.

Daikakuji

Daikakuji is a temple with many things to see. Such as Japan’s oldest man made pond, the corridors of nightingale flooring which are floors which chirp when you walk on them, and the beautiful images painted on the sliding doors. It is also known as the birthplace of “ikebana” which is the Japanese art of flower arrangement. The temple is a safekeeping place for a handwritten sutra written by the Emperor, and is a temple that has long had a relationship with the Imperial family. It is a place which relays Japanese culture to future generations.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine is the headquarters of all the Inari shrines. It has served as a place of worship for the common people over 1,300 years. The tunnel consisting of 10,000 torii gates is something to see. Enjoy a stroll through the rolling land on the spacious grounds of the shrine.

Kinkakuji

Kinkakuji was established in 1397 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Kinkakuji is known for the dazzling appearance of its reliquary hall in the middle of the pond, decorated with gold leaf.

Kiyomizu-dera

Kiyomizu-dera is a Kannon temple where the goddess Kannon is worshipped. Kiyomizu-dera has a particularly long history among the temples of Kyoto and it is a registered World Heritage site. It is one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist attractions.

Sanjusangen-do

Sanjusangen-do was rebuilt in 1266 and has been maintained, repeatedly undergoing repairs, for more than 700 years. 1001 statues of Kannon are enshrined in the 120-meter long temple, made entirely of Japanese cypress.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle, constructed in the Edo period, is a registered National Historic Site. Ninomaru Palace is designated as a National Treasure, and other buildings and wall panel paintings are designated as Important Cultural Properties. (Ninomaru is the area that defends Honmaru, the control center in times of war.) Nijo Castle is also a United Nations World Heritage site.

Ginkakuji (Higashiyama Jisho-ji)

Ginkakuji was built in 1490 by Yoshimune Ashikaga, the Eighth shogun, who prospered in the Muromachi period. The first floor section is built in a domestic style, and the second floor section is built in the style of a Buddhist temple.

Eikan-do

The elegant temple scene is created by the beautiful architecture, the pond, and the garden, all covered in golden autumn leaves. This is one of the best places in Kyoto to see the autumn foliage.

Gion

Gion is very popular among tourists for its bustling downtown streets. The famous Yasaka Shrine is on the outskirts of Gion. Maiko and geisha (known locally as geiko or geigi) entertain guests with songs and traditional Japanese dances. The houses where you can enjoy the company of geisha are gathered together in this famous entertainment district.

Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market has 400 years of history. There is a festive atmosphere as you walk around the market. You can see foods that can only found in Kyoto.

Ninna-ji Temple

This temple was built in the year 888 by Emperor Uda. Ninna-ji, built in the style of Heian Era nobility residences, was recognized as a National Treasure and has also been registered as a World Heritage site. It is also a famous place to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

Toei Kyoto Studio Park

You can observe the filming of movies on the streets where the Edo Era has been recreated. This is a theme park that can be enjoyed by the whole family. You can even dress up in costumes from the Edo era.

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

A monkey park in the popular Kyoto tourist area?! Find this hidden nature park where you can enjoy hiking as well as the wild monkeys.

Arashiyama

Togetsukyo Bridge is an elegant bridge symbolizing Arashiyama. The trolley trains and the cruise down Hozu River lets you enjoy nature throughout the four seasons. This is the place where you can feel Kyoto’s elegant atmosphere unified with nature.

JR Kyoto Station

Kyoto Station is the gateway to the ancient capital, boasting a thousand years of history. In the Kyoto Station Building, there are plenty of restaurants and souvenirs symbolizing Kyoto. It has many attractions other than being a station.

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryu-ji Temple once possessed all of the Arashiyama area. It has a garden which hasn’t changed in 700 years and an ink painting 9 meters in diameter titled “Unryu-zu” that is a splendid World Heritage asset.

Tofuku-ji Temple

The temple has plenty of highlights including 25 sub-temples and a rock garden. It is also famous as a place to see the fall colors. The colors are especially beautiful at Tsutenkyo Bridge linking the main hall with Kaisan-do Hall.

Kifune Shrine

The Kifune Shrine is situated upstream from the Yodo and Kamo Rivers. It was said that the main building of the 1500 year old Kifune Shrine was built in an area gushing with water. It is a famous Shinto shrine, giving blessings in marriage, visited by historical figures for this reason.

Maruyama Park

Maruyama Park is a famous place for sakura or the cherry blossoms. It is a popular spot to take a stroll in the beautiful Japanese garden, free of admission fee. There are also teahouses and a ryotei restaurant recommended for good food.

Yasaka Shrine

A shrine located close to Hanamachi , the origin of Kyoto’s Gion district. It is popular as a place to earn the grace of the gods for protection against evil, warding off of disease, business success, matchmaking, and beauty among other things.

Ryoan-ji

Hosokawa Katsumoto established Ryōan-ji in 1450 during the Muromachi period, when Zen sects flourished. “Karesansui” or dry landscape gardens represent water using stones and sand. The rock garden of Ryōan-ji is famous for this. The garden is listed as a World Heritage Site.

Shoren-in

Shoren-in has a history of being of used as a temporary Imperial Palace. The Kacho-den guesthouse has a beautiful view of the garden and pond.

Ponto-cho

Ponto-cho is located in the center of Kyoto. In the teahouses that occupy the townhouses there, you can see maiko and geisha. A highlight is the Kamogawa Odori performed by the geisha twice a year in spring and autumn.

Nanzenji

Nanzenji was built as a temple of prayer for the prosperity of the country. It was built by Emperor Kameyama in 1291 during the Kamakura period. It is one of the most popular locations to see the beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn colors in fall.

Okochi Sanso (Mountain Villa)

Denjiro Okochi, famed for his roles in period dramas, created the garden and villa for Okochi Sanso. You can fully enjoy the beautiful Japanese garden boasting an area of about 6000 tsubo (19835 sq. m.) and a view of Arashiyama that cannot be seen elsewhere

Philosopher’s Walk

Philosopher’s Walk is an approximately 1.5km walking path along the foot of Mt. Higashiyama. On the western end of a canal built in the Meiji Era lies the stone-paved path which has also been selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Streets.

Higashiyama

Higashiyama or “east mountain”, located on the east side of Kyoto, is called this because of the many mountains there. There are many temples with beautiful gardens, like Ginkakuji temple, since they were former health resorts for the nobles and samurais.

Nijo Jinya

The building was used as a rice exchange and also as an inn. For those reasons, it had undergone special construction to prevent fire and is highly praised and valued in terms of its architecture.

Shimogamo Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine, known for one of Kyoto’s 3 Great Festivals, the Aoi Festival, is among the oldest shrines in Kyoto. While enjoying that walk through the woods in the huge grounds, you will want to share in the benefits of the various gods.

Byodoin Temple

Byodoin Temple was made in the image of heaven by an aristocrat of the Heian period. It is a valuable building that shows the prosperity of the Fujiwara clan. The temple’s Phoenix Hall is brilliant following the recent completion of its restoration.

Mt. Takao

Mt. Takao, which has been recognized in the Michelin Guidebook, is popular as a holiday resort near the capital. It is also a sacred place for the Shingon brand of Esoteric Buddhism with its high number of miracles to be enjoyed for its nature and its historical cultural properties.

Mt. Hiei

Enjoy a walk in the sky with a superb view by cable car and ropeway, and after viewing French paintings and seasonal flowers, visit the World Heritage site of Enryaku-ji Temple, a sacred place for Japanese Buddhism which boasts an area of 500 hectares.

Saiho-ji Temple (Koke-dera)

This is a moss garden that is a lush green thanks to the rainy season. The contrast of red leaves and the green moss during fall is beautiful. Reservations are necessary to see Koke-dera, a place which has been said to have been visited by Steve Jobs many times incognito.

Toji (Kyo-o-gokokuji)

Roughly about a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station. Surrounded by modern buildings of the city center, Toji exudes an atmosphere as though time stopped flowing at some point. Established 1,200 years ago, it is the first Esoteric Buddhist temple in Japan. Experience the unusual and distinctive world views expressed at this temple

Kurama

Kurama is in the middle of a thickly forested mountain. Go on a hike in the crisp mountain air and visit Yugi Shrine, famous for its Fire Festival, and the Kurama-dera Temple known as a power spot.

Ohara

Ohara is surrounded by the lush green of Mother Nature. Aside from the famous Sanzen-in Temple, there is Hosen-in Temple where you can see pines in the shape of Mt. Omi-Fuji that are spectacular Natural Monuments, the legendary Otonashi-no-Taki waterfall and plenty of other places.

Sanzen-in Temple

This temple is so beloved that whenever Ohara is mentioned, people always think of Sanzen-in. In the beautiful mossy garden, smiling child jizo statues show their faces charming the hearts of visitors.