History / Culture / Tour Spots in Kyoto Area

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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Togetsukyo Bridge

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Ukyo-ku Arashiyama

This bridge with a total length of 155 meters spanning the Katsuragawa River offers a vantage point to see the fall foliage of Arashiyama. The bridge is said to have been started by the Jowa-period (834–848) monk Dosho, and the bridge in the current location was built by Suminokura Ryoui in the early Edo period. Togetsukyo Bridge’s name (meaning “the bridge of the passing moon”) is said to have come about when Emperor Kameyama saw a moon move above the bridge and remarked that, “It looks as if the clear moon were walking over the bridge.” The bridge is full of elegance which blends into the landscape of Arashiyama.
Jishu-jinja Shrine

4.0

183 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Kiyomizu 1-317

A Shinto shrine located just to the north of the main sanctuary in the Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto that is popular with young women and couples due to its dedication to a god of marriage. There are two love fortune-telling stones located 10 meters apart from each other on the grounds and it is said one will achieve true love if one is able to reach one stone from the other while your eyes are closed. The main shrine, front shrine, and main gate are nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. In 1994, due to certain historical details, it was registered as part of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple under the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site. The temple is also home to the famous Jishu Cherry, so beautiful it is said Emperor Saga turned his carriage around three times to view it again and also seen as the origin of the Japanese people’s love of cherry blossoms.

This is the best! I have been there 8 years ago and my wish came true.Thank God! I visited there again and the staff are nice. Atmosphere is good! you must try the Love stone :P
Byodoin Museum Hoshokan

4.5

234 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kyoto Uji-shi Uji Renge 116 (Byodoin Keidai)

This museum was opened in 2001 to preserve the collection from the former treasure house, which had deteriorated. The garden is designated as a famous historic landmark, and the building exterior is designed to blend perfectly with it, with special features like using natural lighting in the interior. In addition to being a registered National and Uji City Important Cultural Asset, it also displays a collection of Heian period onigawara gargoyle roof tiles excavated from archaeological sites.

A visit to the museum comes with the entrance price when visiting Byodoin Temple. I found the museum to be a great addition! The museum was pretty large with a lot of great artifacts and information...
Bishamon-do Temple

4.5

128 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Yamashina-ku Anshuinariyamachou 18

A Tendai Buddhist temple in Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City. The principle object of worship is a figure of Vaisravana, seen as one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, and the temple is believed to provide aid with achieving thriving business and safety and peace in the household. The temple was originally the Izumo-dera Temple, which was founded by the priest Gyoki at the request of Emperor Monmu in 703. After much hardship caused by repeated wars, the temple was eventually rebuilt in Yamashina. The “moving screen paintings” created by Kano Masunobu which decorate the Shinden hall are famous and make skillful use of reverse perspective to make it seem as if the viewer is seeing them on center regardless of the angle. Located at the foot of a hillside overlooking the Yamashina Basin, the temple is a well-known spot in Kyoto for viewing cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn.

This place is not very popular among tourist, unlike Kinkakuji which is known by everybody. And that also the reason I choose to visit this temple. After visit other popular temples crowded with...
Uji City The Tale of Genji Museum

4.0

146 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kyoto Ujishi Uji Higashiuchi 45-26

This museum located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture collects and displays materials pertaining to the Genji Monogatari (Tale of Genji), the full-length novel by Murasaki Shikibu. Inside, it is divided into video exhibition rooms including the Heian-no-Ma which introduces the world of the Genji Monogatari and the life of Japanese nobles with models and video, and the Uji-no-Ma, which takes the theme of Uji Jujo (The 10 Quires of Uji) in the third part of the Genji Monogatari, which was set in Uji. There are also a teahouse offering Japanese sweets and a shop selling merchandise related to the Genji Monogatari.

This attractive modern museum reveals the ancient and elegant world of the Heian period of Japan through interactive displays, full screen sets and models. The focus? Just one:The Tale of Genji...
National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto

4.0

158 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Okazakienshoujichou

This art museum inside Okazaki Park in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City first opened its doors in 1963. The museum’s annex, a modern building of glass and gray walls, was completed in 1986. The museum collects and preserves modern art from both within Japan and around the world and boasts a collection of over 12,000 pieces. The museum places particular emphasis on art from Western Japan and the Kansai region with a focus on Kyoto and has a collection of many works from the Kyoto and Kansai art worlds. The museum also displays industrial art pieces. In addition to a permanent exhibit whose contents are changed periodically, the museum also holds special exhibitions. The adjoining authentic Italian café is also popular.

The museum is not a large building. I recall seeing 3 levels of exhibitions permanent and also special exhibition. The permanent exhibition was nice although there was no description in other...
Joruri-ji Temple

4.5

122 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kidugawashi Kamochounishio Futaba 40

This temple of the Shingon Risshu sect is located in Kamo Town, Kizugawa City, Kyoto. It is known as “Kutai-ji” (Nine-body Temple) due to the nine Amitabha Tathagata statues kept in the main hall. The garden, which represents the world of paradise, is a Jodo-style garden with Yakushi to the east, Amida to the west, and a pond in the center. The main hall has clay tiles laid laterally, and the interior pagoda houses a statue of Bhaisajyaguru. Both have been designated National Treasures. The standing statue of Kisshoten is famous as a Buddhist statue rarely shown to the public, and it is only displayed once each in spring, fall, and on New Year’s Day.

There is a bus no.112 going to this temple from JR Nara, only spending half hour, quite convenient. Suggest to buy one day bus pass, only ¥500 each. Moreover, the wooden pass is cute. The temple is...
Higashi Tennou Okazaki-jinja Shrine

4.0

112 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Okazakihigashitennouchou 51

This is one of the Shinto shrines built under imperial orders of Emperor Kanmu to protect the imperial palace during the relocation of the capital, Heiankyo, in 794. The enshrined deities Susano-no-Mikoto and Kushinada-Hime-no-Mikoto were blessed with many children, so many believers visit the shrine to pray for conception and safe child delivery. Since there are wild rabbits inhabiting the land around the shrine, it is said that the messenger of the enshrined deity is also a rabbit and there are cute images of rabbits all around including child conception rabbits, guardian rabbits and beckoning rabbits.

Lovely to see so many rabbits around. We reached here the last 15 minutes before its closing time. Check out the rabbit charms here, cant resist getting a few of them. Note:There are no real...
Kurumazaki-jinja Shrine

4.0

118 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Sagasahichou 23

A Shinto shrine located in the Saga area of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City dedicated to Kiyohara no Yorinari, a Confucian scholar who lived in the late Heian period. Kiyohara no Yorinari is seen as a god of luck with money, prosperous business, luck in finding marriage, and the warding away of evil. The shrine has a custom whereby visitors can purchase a stone from the shrine office and make a wish; the shrine piles the stones of successful wish-makers in front of the main shrine. The grounds also contain a shrine dedicated to Ame no Uzume, the goddess of performing arts, which is famous for the many performers and entertainers who come to visit it. On the third Sunday of May, the shrine holds the Three Boats Festival on the Oi River on Mt. Arashi, an event which recreates the boating the nobility would engage in during the Heian period.

I had chance to visit this shrine during Mantosai Festival (middle of Audust), and lanterns were really beautiful. You can also buy it for 500 yen and hang it by yourself.
Kono-jinja Shrine

4.0

182 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Miyadushi Ogaki 430

This ancient Shinto shrine has held the Aoi Festival every April for the past 2,500 years, and is formally recognized as the most important provincial shrine of the old Tango prefecture. The main enshrined deity is Hiko-Hoakari-no-Mikoto.

天橋立の観光船の発着場である一の宮桟橋から徒歩で2分程度のところにある神社です。現在、伊勢神宮外宮に祀られている『豊受大神』が、元はこの神社に祀られていることもあり、『元伊勢』とも称されていますが、神社そのものは小ぢんまりとしており、境内を周遊するだけであれば1時間も要さないくらいです。天橋立の南端に位置する智恩寺の方が、天橋立駅から徒歩で数分でアクセス出来るからか、智恩寺の方が参拝客が多く、その...
Ryozen-Kannon

4.0

156 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto-shi Higashiyama-ku Kodaiji Shimogawara-machi 526-2

This kannon statue is located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City. This kannon was erected in 1955 as a memorial to the victims of war after World War II. The eleven-faced kannon is enshrined beneath this kannon image. In addition to memorial and internment services, the temple hosts workshops to experience zazen, and hannya shingyo heart sutra transcription events.

Ryozen Kwan-on is a magnificent 24 m high monument of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Godess of Mercy). The monument was erected in 1955 to honor all soldiers who died during World War II. Regardless...
Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art

4.0

151 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kyoto Prefecture Otsumi-gun Oyamazaki Town 5-3

Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art is located in the town of Oyamazaki, Otokuni County, Kyoto Prefecture. Industrialist Shotaro Kaga designed and built the original building, Oyamazaki Villa, which was later remodeled and converted to a museum. It holds exhibits and displays collections of artists associated with the folk art movement. Located on the slopes of Mount Tennozan, it offers a beautiful panoramic view of the confluence of three rivers: the Kizu River, the Uji River, and the Katsura River.

This relatively small villa museum offers a look at a Western-style residence in Japan along with much decorative art and a few Monet paintings. We made a day trip here from Kyoto with a friend, and...
Nison-in Temple

4.0

164 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Saganisoninmonzenchoujinchou 27

A Tendai Buddhist temple located in the Sagano area of Ukyo Ward in Kyoto City. The temple is called the Nison-in, meaning “Hall of Two Buddhas,” because its principle objects of worship are two standing figures of Gautama Buddha and Amitabha. The temple is said to have been founded by the priest Ennin at the behest of Emperor Saga during the early Heian period. In addition to the main temple nave, the grounds are dotted with the graves of court nobles and distinguished families. Famed for its autumn foliage, the temple is visited by numerous worshipers each year in fall. The temple path extending from the main gate, once the Yakuimon gate at Fushimi Castle that was moved here, is nicknamed the “Autumn Foliage Horse Riding Grounds” on account of the beauty of the scenery during the season.

Nison-in is known as the place where Fujiwarano Teika redacted “Hyakunin Isshu”, an anthology of traditional Japanese poem. In the premises of the temple, there are graves of some celebrities such as...
Place of Scenic Beauty: Murin-an

4.5

152 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Nanzenjikusagawachou 31

This is a villa built over a period of two years from 1894 by the Meiji and Taisho period politician Aritomo Yamagata. It is comprised of an extensive garden and three buildings, a main building, a Western-style house, and a tea house, and the garden in particular was created by Jihei Ogawa VII under Yamagata’s instructions and is well-known as an open space full of abundant nature. It was designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty in 1951. The garden unfolds against the backdrop of the Higashiyama Mountains, and in autumn visitors can enjoy the appearance of the trees filled with red and yellow colors.

I have been to Japan many times and have now learnt that if a temple or garden has a well designed English website, chances are it will be packed with tourists. I came across Murinan in an English...
Doshisha University

4.5

62 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City, Kamigyo-ku Imadegawa-ku Karasuma East Entrance

Doshisha University was established as Doshisha English School” in 1875 by Niijima Jo (English name, Joseph Hardy Neesima), who defied the policy of national isolationism when it was in effect to travel to America and become Japan’s first graduate of a Western university (Amherst College, Massachusetts). Today, this Christian university also has a campus located in the city of Kyotanabe. The Imadegawa Campus is the site of numerous historic buildings, including the red brick Shoueikan, Yushukan, American gothic chapel, Clark Memorial Hall, and Harris Science Research Institute, all Important Cultural Properties, as well as the Tangible Cultural Property-designated Keimeikan and Amherst House.

母校の同志社大学には年に一度以上訪れます。落ち着きま、す。卒業した今、やはり日本一の大学、新島襄は最高だと思っています。
Hogon-in Temple

4.5

167 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Saga Tenryuji Susukino Baba-cho, 68

A sub temple of the Rinzai Tenryu-ji Buddhist Tenryu-ji Temple located in the Arashiyama area in Kyoto City. The temple’s spectacular garden incorporates the surrounding scenery of Arashiyama. A traditional circular strolling garden built around a central pond and arrayed with huge boulders such as “Shishi-iwa (Lion-Dog Rock),” the garden was even included in the Edo period Miyako rinsen meisho zue, a publication which noted various famous sights and locations of scenic beauty in Kyoto. The garden is only opened to the general public on special days in spring and autumn. At night, the garden is lit up in a manner befitting the wondrous scenery of this historical garden.

We have visited here twice before for autumn colors. Each time the temple does not disappoint. If you walk along the temple wall before entering you can see the tree tops and gauge if the colors...
Fujimori-jinja Shrine

4.0

96 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Fushimi-ku Fukakusatorisakichou 609

A Shinto shrine located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. There are various theories regarding its establishment, but it is said that this is the site where Empress Jingu buried and enshrined an array of armaments in 203. During the Fujimori Festival held on May 5, an event called the Kakeuma Shinji is held—horseback riders perform stunts such as head stands and riding sideways, attracting throngs of visitors. Known as a shrine dedicated to luck in victory, scholarship, and horses, the shrine is frequently visited by people with an interest in horse racing.

On the last day of the Fujimori Festival, there was a cantering horse ritual. It was a day of spectacular and impressive performances. The sense of urgency and excitement of performing the technique...
Teradaya

3.5

200 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Fushimi-ku Minamihamachou 263

This is an inn where Shimazu Hisamitsu tried to purge the Satsuma shishi, who were advocates in the Satsuma clan of the return to imperial rule, during the latter years of the Edo period (the Teradaya Incident). It was learned that the hero of Tosa, Sakamoto Ryoma, visited this inn regularly, and Teradaya became the scene of a plot to assassinate Ryoma, who just barely managed to escape thanks to the quick-wittedness of his lover, Oryo. Although the building was destroyed by fire during the battle of Toba-Fushimi, it was reconstructed after that and is a facility that offers accommodation as well.

Toba-Fushimi Battle was the end of a series of epoch-making struggles in Kyoto. The struggles had started with Terada-ya Inn incident. Terada-ya was a port-town inn along Goh-kawa Canal in Fushimi...
Uji-jinja Shrine

3.5

157 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Ujishi Uji Yamada 1

This Shinto shrine is dedicated to Ujinowaki Iratsuko-no-Mikoto, son of Emperor Ojin. The enshrined deity had made this land his home when, according to the legend, he got lost on the way to Uji from Kawachi province. A divine messenger in the form of a rabbit called a “Mikaeri Usagi” (turning back rabbit) guided him back by hopping along a little way and then looking back as if to say, “Follow me,” before hopping on a little further. As such the omikuji fortunes are contained in cute little ceramic rabbits.

Not worth a visit although its on route to the Genji museum and Ujigami shrine. However the Ujigami shrine is also not worth it. Havent visited the museum though. Its free so no loss except your...
Kawai-jinja Shrine

4.0

128 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Shimogamoizumigawachou

This Shinto shrine is dedicated to the guardian deity of women, Tamayori-Hime-no-Mikoto. From time immemorial it has been known as a place to govern female beauty and is a place to pray for beauty, safe delivery or marriage. The votive card with a face depicted on it has makeup applied from a makeup set on the front, and on the rear wishes and names are written. This so called “mirror votive card” is rare, and it is a popular shrine for female visitors.

鏡絵馬を奉納する女性の為の神社。下鴨神社の入り口にあります。鏡絵馬は800円。色鉛筆で可愛く描きます。お子様連れでも楽しいかも知れないです。

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Kyoto Areas

Its wooden tea houses, shuffling geisha, and spiritual sights have seen Kyoto hailed as the heart of traditional Japan, a world apart from ultramodern Tokyo. Despite being the Japanese capital for over a century, Kyoto escaped destruction during World War II, leaving behind a fascinating history which can be felt at every turn, from the fully gold-plated Kinkakuji Temple down to traditional customs such as geisha performances and tea ceremonies, which are still practiced to this day.