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Kyoto (京都)

Tokyo has continued to Kyoto is one of Japan’s leading tourist destinations, with over 2000 shrines and temples and 17 World Heritage Sites. The city flourished as the capital of Japan for approximately 1,200 years, from 794 when the capital was relocated to Heian-kyo in 1868. Many places where you can still feel the atmosphere of those times exist today, and the city is popular both at home and abroad as a place where you can feel the uniqueness of Japan. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, as you can enjoy temples and shrines together with cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. 

kyoto

Table of Contents

Places to visit in Kyoto

1. Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

One of Japan's leading historical buildings with a history of over 1,200 years

Best time to visit: All year

In front of the main hall is a 13-metre-high stage that juts out into the cliff, and when you stand on it you will be overwhelmed by its height and the wonderful view. There is a story that people in the past jumped off the stage to make a wish. Kiyomizu-dera Temple has a long history and is said to have been built before the capital was relocated to Heian-kyo. In 1994, it was registered as a World Heritage Site as a cultural asset of the ancient capital of Kyoto. The Otowa Falls in the precincts of the temple are also known as a power spot, where wishes for love, studies and health are said to come true.

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2. Kinkaku-ji Temple (金閣寺)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

One of the landmarks of Kyoto, famous for its golden appearance

Best time to visit: All year

Kinkaku-ji Temple is famous for its Shariden, a tower building with approximately 200k sheets of gold leaf applied inside and outside the building. Built in 1397 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, the shining exterior of the Shariden is a sight to behold for visitors, as it shines beautifully against the surface of the pond in the surrounding Japanese garden. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1994 as one of the ‘Cultural Properties of Ancient Kyoto’ and is a must-see sightseeing spot along with Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Byodoin Temple.

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3. To-ji Temple (東寺)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

Temple with the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan

Best time to visit: All year

To-ji Temple is famous as the site of the famous five-storey pagoda, which was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The five-storey pagoda is approximately 55 m high, making it the tallest old wooden pagoda in Japan. Its beauty and solemnity are overwhelming. Kondo, designated as a National Treasure, is the main hall of To-ji Temple and houses the principal images of Yakushi Nyorai, Nikko Bosatsu and Gekko Bosatsu, which are statues of Buddha. On the pedestal are the Twelve Divine Generals who protect the Nyorai and enhance the majesty of the statue.

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4. Gion (祇園)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

The leading downtown area of Kyoto, both now and in the past.

Best time to visit: Spring ~ Summer

Gion is a typical downtown and entertainment area in Kyoto, located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. Many people associate Gion with maiko (apprentice geisha) and geisha. The present Yasaka Shrine, where Susanowo-no-mikoto is enshrined, was called Gion Shrine before the Meiji era, and the area came to be known as Gion. Hanamikoji Street is lined with teahouses and ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) and has the atmosphere of old Kyoto, with its lattice-door buildings. There are also many places where you can experience traditional arts and temples and shrines, making it a popular destination not only for Japanese tourists but also for foreign visitors.

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5. Arashiyama (嵐山)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

Full of attractive spots with a different look in each season

Best time to visit: All year

Arashiyama is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kyoto, known for its cherry blossoms and autumn colours. The area around the Togetsu Bridge over the Ooigawa River is called Arashiyama and the area behind Arashiyama is called Sagano, and is famous for the Hozu River cruise, trolley trains and the Arashiyama Maple Festival. In particular, the 155 m long Togetsu Bridge over the Katsura River is the symbol of Arashiyama and attracts many tourists. There are many places of interest such as Tenryu-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site with a pond garden named Sogen-ike, the Shoryu-en Garden and the Bamboo Forest Path, where you can also enjoy eating and walking.

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6. Nijo Castle (二条城)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

Castle of great historical value, with elegant palaces, gardens and gorgeous wall paintings

Best time to visit: Spring, Autumn

Nijo Castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The Ninomaru Palace Garden is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and six buildings of the Ninomaru Palace, with their corridors lined with Japanese nightshade that make a distinctive sound when walked on, are National Treasures. 22 buildings and a total of 1016 paintings on the walls of the Ninomaru Palace are designated as National Important Cultural Properties. The Nijo Castle was the venue for events deeply related to Japanese history, such as the meeting between Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyori in 1611 (Nijo Castle Conference) and Tokugawa Yoshinobu in 1867.

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7. Ginkaku-ji Temple (銀閣寺)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

Temple with elegant gardens and tranquility

Best time to visit: All year

The area attracts many tourists from all over Japan and abroad, and is always bustling with activity. In addition to the old famous spots such as Shibuya 109 and Scramble Crossing, there are many sophisticated and fashionable shops and cafés, and in recent years the area has evolved into a highly sensitive town that attracts adults as well. Harajuku, which is close to Shibuya and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Tokyo, is not only the centre of Japanese pop culture, but is also an attractive area full of nature.

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Potential Itineraries

A day trip to Osaka (大阪)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

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A day trip to Shibuya (渋谷)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

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Best things to do in Shibuya
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A day trip to Kamakura (鎌倉)

Our Recommendation
★★★★★ 4.5/5

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Getting to Tokyo

Getting to 〇 by Train

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Getting to 〇 by Bus

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