Name: 10 Best Places to Visit in Kyoto! | Japan Travel Guide
Uploaded: 2024-10-28T09:07:07.000Z
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Kyoto was the capital of Japan for over a millennium, and it still carries a reputation as the nation's most beautiful city.

The countless temples, shrines, and historical structures are both fascinating and overwhelming.

To make your trip even more enjoyable, Japanesquest presents you with 10 of the very best places to visit in Kyoto.

Number 1 Arashiyama District Arashiyama in the western outskirts of Kyoto is a popular destination for Japanese tourists, especially in spring for the cherry blossoms and in the autumn for the fall colors.

The major attractions are Togetsukyo Bridge spanning the Katsura River, Bamboo Forest the symbol of Arashiyama, the scenic Sagano Romantic Train, Hosugawa River Cruise with seasonal scenery and thrilling rapids, Monkey Park Iwatayama, home of over 100 snow monkeys.

When you're all templed out in Kyoto City, Arashiyama can be a great escape.

Number 2 Roanji Temple Roanji has a famous garden that is considered the best example of Kare-sensui, a Japanese rock garden.

There are 15 stones in the garden, but no more than 14 can be seen from any single viewpoint.

It is said that in order to see all the stones from the same viewpoint, you need to attain enlightenment.

The Roanji Temple also offers an exquisite restaurant that specializes in boiled tofu.

You can enjoy this typical Buddhist cuisine while looking out across a traditional Japanese garden.

Number 3 Kinkakuji Temple Kinkakuji is a Zen temple built in 1397 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate.

It is the leading symbol of the flamboyant Kitayama culture, which was prevalent from late 14th century to early 15th century.

The golden pavilion, called Kinkaku, has three floors, each one built in a different architectural style.

Kinkaku shows its most exquisite beauty at sunset, when it sparkles orange as if it is on fire.

Number 4 Ginkakuji Temple Ginkakuji is a Zen temple founded in 1490 by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the eighth shogun of the Muromachi shogunate.

The temple and its garden are one of the best examples of wabi-sabi.

The idea behind these Japanese unique aesthetics is the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

In other words, wabi-sabi consists of the ideas of less is more, beauty in simplicity, and perfectly imperfect.

The more you get to know Kyoto, the more you will come to enjoy and appreciate Ginkakuji Temple.

Number 5 Philosopher's Path Philosopher's Path is a pleasant narrow path located in the eastern side of Kyoto city that runs along a canal.

The name drives from a leading Japanese philosopher, Nishida Iktaro.

When he needed to ponder on his work, he would stroll along this path experiencing the rich nature while deep in thought.

A relaxing experience with the one-and-a-half-kilometer walk may bring you one step closer to becoming a philosopher.

Number 6 Gion District Gion is a geisha district that still has the rich atmosphere of old Kyoto city.

It is one of the liveliest areas of Kyoto and has various sightseeing spots.

Kenin-ji, the oldest Zen temple in Japan.

Yasaka Shrine, the symbol of the Gion District.

Hanami Koji Street, home of tea houses and traditional Japanese restaurants.

Minamiza, a primary kabuki theater in Kyoto founded in 1610.

If you are lucky, you may also manage to catch a glimpse of geisha on their way.

Number 7 Kiyomizudera Temple Kiyomizudera is a Buddhist temple founded in 778 and is one of the most popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto.

The temple's magnificent wooden stage is a must-see for all travelers.

There are many other sights, such as the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to the god of love and matchmaking, and a Toa Waterfall, whose water streams are believed to have wish-granting powers.

Number 8 Sanju Sangendo Temple Sanju Sangendo is a Buddhist temple built in 1165.

The 120-meter-long temple hall houses numerous Japanese national treasures, such as the statues of Fujin and Raijin, the gods of wind and thunder, 1,000 life-size statues of the Thousand-Armed Kanon, the goddess of mercy, a gigantic seated statue of the Thousand-Armed Kanon, 28 statues of guardian deities who protect Kanon and all pious Buddhists' followers of Kanon.

Number 9 Nijo Castle Nijo Castle is a flatland castle that was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Ninomaru Palace is one of the central buildings of the castle.

It was used as the shogun's office and also a place of residence.

Over 3,000 paintings by prominent artists from the Kano school are on the palace's walls and ceilings.

The Ninomaru Garden is also in the castle grounds, built by prominent garden designer Kobure Enshu in 1626.

Number 10 Fushimi Inari Shrine Fushimi Inari Shrine is the main shrine of Inari, which is the Shinto god of rice, agriculture and business.

There are about 10,000 torii gates in the shrine and on the surrounding Mount Inari.

The Senbon Torii area is the most picturesque area, where approximately 800 torii gates with very narrow intervals stand.

Yotsuji, a rest area on the mountainside, is also very pleasant with a spectacular view of Kyoto city as a backdrop.

At night, the paths and torii gates are lit up, giving the shrine an eerie but also fairytale-like aspect.

Fushimi Inari Shrine is definitely a must-see spot in Kyoto.

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