Spots in Kyoto Area

  • Shoren-in Temple
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    4.5
    776 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Awataguchisanjoubouchou 69-1
    Together with the Sanzen-in Temple and Myoho-in Temple, the Shoren-in Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple. Because it served as a temporary Imperial palace in the Edo period, it is also called the “Old Kurita Imperial Palace.” This highly formal temple is deeply tied to the Imperial household—since ancient times, the temple’s head priest was a member of the Imperial household or a line of Imperial regents and advisors. The entire spacious approximately 33,000 square meter grounds are a nationally designated Historic Site. The highlights of the grounds are the temple’s two gardens which give visitors the chance to enjoy beautiful, seasonal scenery. One is a traditional circular strolling garden with a central pond created by Soami in the Muromachi period. The other, the Kirhishima-no-niwa, was created by Kobori Enshu (formally, Masakazu). Each year in spring and autumn, the gardens are lit up at night by approximately 1,000 lights large and small, creating magical sights.

    This temple looks more like a traditional Japanese home with tatami mats and open walls into garden. This is a must do if you want a glimpse into historical Japan.

  • Maruyama Park
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    4.0
    678 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Maruyamachou
    Established in 1886, Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto City and is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty. A strolling garden built around a central pond created by the famed Ogawa Jihei VII, the graceful design makes use of natural hills. The garden vicinity is dotted with buildings such as a traditional Japanese ryotei restaurant, tea house, and the Maruyama Park Concert Hall as well as numerous other points of note, including Basho’s Hermitage and bronze statues of Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro. Also famous for its “Gion weeping cherry trees,” the beauty of the park’s cherries illuminated at night have become a must-see symbol of Kyoto. Gion-Shijo Station is the closest station to the park.

    It’s a pretty nice park and has a few shrines in or around it. Definitely a little creepy at night though, wife and I took a stroll and decided to leave. Lol

  • Kyoto International Manga Museum
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    4.0
    609 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Karasuma-ku Ikegami Le, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
    This manga museum in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto, is Japan's largest manga museum. It first opened in 2006. Including valuable works from the Meiji period and the post-WWII period as well as popular modern titles and foreign works, they have almost 300,000 pieces in their collection. One of their showcases is a ''Manga Wall'' with 50,000 volumes of manga arrayed on bookcases that visitors can freely read. The spacious building is the former Tatsuike Elementary School and people can be found everywhere inside or outside on the lawn reading manga. This is a popular location for foreign tourists and couples.

    This is a museum just for manga, a must for lovers of manga and subcultures. As long as you pay the admission fee, you can immerse yourself in the world of manga all day long. The museum has a...

  • Katsura Imperial Villa
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    4.5
    479 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nishikyou-ku Katsuramisono
    This is the Katsura Imperial Villa, established in 1615 after taking 50 years to complete. With a beauty that could be called the culmination of Japan’s gardens, the grounds are a chisen-kaiyushiki garden covering an area of 69,400 square meters. The main buildings include the Koshoin (Old Shoin), Chushoin (Middle Shoin) and Shingoten (New Palace), while also around the pond are four teahouses each with a different feel. It is a garden where one can enjoy the four seasons of Japan from spring’s cherry blossoms to autumn’s changing leaves. Though same day booking is possible, one should book in advance to be guaranteed entry.

    The tranquility and beauty of this villa will make you want to sit on the grass and just relax in the atmosphere - beautiful

  • The funaya of Ine
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    4.5
    326 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Prefecture Yosa-gun Ine-cho
    In the town of Ine-cho on the eastern tip of the Tango Peninsula, a boat garage is called a “Funaya.” These homes that lie in between the road and the sea have a unique construction where the first floor is where the residents prepare for fishing and store their tools, while the second floor is used as a living room and bedroom, etc. The sight of the some 230 funaya lying in a row is unusual even in Japan, and the area has been designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

    It is a quiet area on the Sea of Japan side of Kyoto. Houses for fishing unique to Japan are built facing the sea. And that fishing method continues today. From the sea, you can see the rows of...

  • Kurama-dera Temple
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    4.5
    402 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Kuramahonchou 1074
    A Buddhist temple whose origin dates back to 770 when Gantei (Jiàn zhēng) shonin, the leading disciple of the Chinese priest Ganjin (Jiàn zhēn) wajyo, enshrined a statue of Bishamonten (Vaisravana: the guardian god of Buddhism) here. Thereafter, in 796, Chief of Temple Construction Fujiwara no Isendo had an additional temple building constructed here enshrining a figure of Senju Kannon (Thousand-armed Buddhist Goddess of Mercy). The temple is known for its legends regarding a tengu (long-nosed goblin) and Ushiwakamaru (young Minamoto no Yoshitsune), and there are sites along the mountain trail leading to the inner sanctuary from behind the main temple building connected to him. The “path of 99 bends,” which famed author and court lady Sei Shonagon described as being “short yet long” in her Pillow Book, extends for approximately one kilometer between the main temple gate and the main temple building, but visitors may also ride a cable car up to the temple’s two tier pagoda. A renowned “power spot,” this popular site is visited by great numbers of people each year.

    Beautiful walk up the mountain. You pass shinto shrines, and Buddhist temples in which the priests chant the Heart Sutra, up to the main complex with beautiful view over the green valley. If you have...

  • Amanohashidate View Land
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    4.0
    457 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Miyadushi Monju
    This is an amusement park at the summit of Mt. Monju, Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture with a viewing platform from which one can see Amanohashidate. Along with attractions including go karts, merry go rounds and a Ferris wheel, the view from the viewing platform restaurant is stunning. There are seven “fork peepholes” that allow one to look between the forks of Amanohashidate, and the Hiryukan through which one can see what looks like a dragon ascending to heaven. There are monorail and lift services to and from the foot of the mountain.

    I have wanted to go to this place for a long time, to complete the Japan 3 View. I was visiting some local friends near Fukuchiyama and we decided to drive there. I was lucky that the weather...

  • Seimei-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    334 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto-shi, Kamigyo-ku Horikawa Tsushin Ichijo Le Rui Mihacho 806
    This is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Abe no Seimei, a diviner active in the mid Heian period, built in 1007 by Emperor Ichijo in order to appease the diviner’s spirit. The shrine helps ward off evil and danger, and many visitors come to escape misfortune. The shrine has a distinct Onmyodo mystical atmosphere, from the pentagrams depicted on the tori gate, paper lanterns and votive pictures to the diviner stone statues.

    Seimei Shrine is dedicated to Abeno Seimei, a famous diviner of Heian Time. He was also a specialist of astronomy. The place now the shrine is located used to be his residence. Now this shrine is...

  • Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
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    4.5
    30 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kamigyou-ku Bakurochou
    Popularly known as “Kitano no Tenjin-san,” this Shinto shrine is located in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City. The shrine was founded in 947. It is also the head shrine of all 12 thousand Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines throughout the country dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of scholarship. The shrine is frequented by students and test-takers not only during entrance exam season in winter but throughout the year. The main shrine, erected in 1607, is a National Treasure and a magnificent example of Momoyama architecture. Famed for its Japanese apricot blossoms, a gorgeous open air tea ceremony is performed by Kamishichiken geisha at the shrine during the Plum Blossom Festival on February 25. The shrine also bustles with numerous street stalls and people during the Tenjin Market, opened every month on the 25th.

    It was actually pouring down rain the day we went to this flea market but we still had a great time. There were tons of booths with lots of interesting and different things to purchase at a...

  • Yasaka Hall Gion Corner
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    3.0
    522 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Gionmachiminamigawa 570-2 Inside the Yakinikan
    Here you can enjoy seven of Japan's traditional arts in the space of about an hour including Kyomai traditional Kyoto dance, Kyogen comedy theater, Gagaku traditional court music, Bunraku puppet theater, koto music, tea ceremony, and ikebana flower arranging. It is located inside the Yasaka Hall in Gion, Kyoto City, nearby the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo theater. In the lobby you'll find pictures of annual festivals held in ''Kyoto Gokagai (five districts)'' (Gion Kobu, Miyagawa-cho, Ponto-cho, Kamishichiken, Gion Higashi) as well as a Maiko gallery showing the ornamental flower pins worn by the Maiko, their hairstyles, and other small items. This is a famous place for seeing the character of Japan and is popular amongst students on school trips and foreign visitors. It is a five-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Line.

    This is supposed to be an assortment of Japanese cultural presentations or acts. Frankly watching the tea ceremony from afar and watching someone arrange flowers for 5+ minutes (all with no...

  • Yasui Konpiragu Shrine
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    4.0
    283 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Shimobentenchou 70
    A Shinto shrine located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City popularly known as Yasui no Konpira-san. Fujiwara no Kamatari established the shrine during the reign of Emperor Tenchi. He planted purple wisterias and named it Fuji-dera (the Temple of Wisteria) in prayer for the prosperity of his clan and the perpetuation of his descendants. The shrine is principally dedicated to Emperor Sutoku, who excised all desire from himself and became a monk in the Konpiragu in the former Sanuki Province; accordingly, the temple has attracted faithful seeking to excise all bad attachments and make good ones since ancient times. It is believed that spouses and couples who have a good relationship and come here will not see their relationships ended but rather find them growing deeper.

    良縁を結び、悪縁を断ち切ることで有名な神社です。有名な神社ではありますが、境内は広くなく、周遊するだけであれば30分程度で済みます。しかも周囲はマンションに囲まれており、住宅街に埋没しているような佇まいで、意識してアクセスしようとしなければ通り過ぎてしまうかもしれません。 札・お守り・絵馬の購入や授与、祈祷受付は営業時間が設けられていますが(9時-17時30分)、神社そのものは夜間でも開いており...

  • Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
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    4.5
    289 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kamigyou-ku Kyoutogyoen 3
    A 65 hectare garden surrounding Kyoto Gosho and Sento Gosho (Imperial Palaces) which can be freely visited at any time. Before the capital was moved to Tokyo, the area was filled with mansions for imperial household members and court nobles, but after the move, these were demolished and the area was refurbished as grounds for the palace. Later, it was opened up as a public garden. Home to such historic sites as, of course, the palace, Kujo Pond, and the Shu Sui Tei (Tea-ceremony House), the garden is also filled with trees, small rivers, and an abundance of natural beauty. There are tennis courts, sports grounds, and other exercise facilities, and people of all ages can come here to relax and refresh themselves.

    Here in the middle of Kyoto is an urban oasis, perfect for a stroll on a winter’s day. Bikes have to be left at the perimeter.

  • Hozu-gawa River Boat Ride
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    4.5
    388 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kameokashi Hoduchou Shimonakajima 2
    This thrilling riverboat ride travels approximately 16 kilometers from Kameoka in Tamba to scenic Arashiyama in Kyoto over a period of about two hours. The boat course was originally used as a means to transport materials down the Hozu River to Kyoto and Osaka. The natural and seasonal beauty of the gorge through which the river travels, however, was so great that this section of the river was turned into a boat ride course for tourists in 1895. Veteran boatman use pole, rudder, and oar to guide the vessel, impressively squeezing through rocky stretches. The boat continues to operate even on rainy days, when a tent is erected for the comfort of riders.

    Due to a capsizing accident that left two employees dead, this cruise is cancelled until an investigation is completed. Cancelled at least through the end of June 2023.

  • Kyoto Tower
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    3.5
    79 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, Shimogyo-ku Karasuma through seven under article le Higashishiokoji-cho 721-1
    A 131-meter-tall tower located in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. Visitors can gaze out over a 360-degree panorama of the streets of the ancient capital of Kyoto from the observation deck 100 meters above the ground. “Tawawa-chan Shrine,” the tower’s cute shrine-cum-mascot, can also be found in the observation deck. The building at the tower’s base contains a hotel, café, restaurants, and sky lounge. There’s also a day trip bath house which opens at 7 am and which is popular with travelers arriving via the night bus. (Note: Due to remodeling, the shops on the first floor are scheduled to be closed until spring 2017.)

    Great location across from Kyoto Station in basement of Kyoto Tower; open from 0700 to 2130, with price including small towel under¥1000, and cheaper with JAF Membership. Very friendly staff who...

  • Nonomiya-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    301 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Saganonomiyachou 1
    A Shinto shrine located in the Sagano area of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City. The shrine is dedicated to gods of scholarship, love, children, and easy childbirth, and is particularly renowned for aiding in finding marriage. The shrine was the setting of the Sakaki chapter of the famed Tale of Genji and is also the subject of the classic Noh song Nonomiya; the grounds contain numerous informational signs noting key points mentioned in these works. It is said that if one rubs the Kame-ishi (Tortoise Stone) next to the shrine dedicated to the marriage god Nonomiya Daikokuten, one’s wish will be granted within the year, and many visitors come to this popular Kyoto “power spot.”

    nonomiya shrine is famous because of its associations with imperial princesses (who traveled here to purify themselves before proceeding to serve at the Ise shrine) and also the Tale of Genji. for...

  • Kegon-ji Temple (Suzumushi-dera Temple)
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    4.0
    307 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nishikyou-ku Matsumurojikechou 31
    A Rinzai Buddhist temple in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City. Some 50 thousand bell crickets are bred on the temple grounds annually, and due to their songs, audible not just in autumn but throughout the year, the temple has come to be known as the Suzumushi-dera (Bell Cricket Temple). In addition to a figure of Dainichi-nyorai (Voirocana), the main object of worship, the temple also enshrines a statue of Jizobosatsu (Kshitigarbha), and the temple attracts Kshitigarbha worshipers from around the nation as well as persons seeking aid with university entry, attaining better fortune, and finding a suitable partner. The temple is famous for its “Happy Kshitigarbha,” the only one in Japan to be depicted wearing straw sandals and said to grant a single wish, as well as its Suzumushi-seppo (Bell Cricket Sermons) given by priests, and the temple actively welcomes worshipers.

    Because there are many crickets, this temple is called Suzumushidera. When you go inside, you are obliged to take a seat and listen to a discourse of a bonze for a half hour. It smells a little bit a...

  • Tenryu-ji Temple
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    4.5
    17 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Sagatenryujisusukinobabachou 68
    The head temple of Rinzai Tenryuji Buddhsim. The temple is one of the foremost sightseeing locations in the Saga Arashiyama area. The temple was founded in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji to memorialize Emperor Go-Daigo. The temple was founded as the first of the five Kyoto Gozan premier temples and the spacious grounds encompassed over 150 sub-temples, but these were all lost in a series of later fires. The various temple buildings standing today were reconstructed in the Meiji period; the abbot’s chamber enshrines a seated figure of Gautama Buddha created in the Fujiwara period. The temple’s circular garden, built around a central pond, is a designated Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty and makes use of Mt. Arashiyama and Mt. Kameyama in the background. The garden looks the same as it did approximately 700 years ago when it was first created by Muso Kokushi.

    Walking quietly through these gardens can lead you to a deep need for meditation! The gardens are incredibly intricate and I expect, offer something different in each season. This is the kind of...

  • COMPLEX ENTERTAINMENT GEAR (administration office ART COMPLEX 1928)
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    5.0
    436 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Sanjodori Gokomachi Higashiiri Benkeiishicho 561928 Building 3F

    Definitely worthy of the high praise and positive reviews. This was so unique and magical and impressive. Great performers, storyline…our 7 YO and 13 YO were laughing and having a great time...

  • Yasaka-jinja Shrine (Gion Shrine)
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Gionmachikitagawa 625
    Popularly known as Gion Shrine, this Shinto shrine is the head shrine of all 3,000 some Gion shrines in Japan. The main shrine building, a designated Important Cultural Property, is actually comprised of the separate shrine sanctuary and worship hall combined under one roof in an architectural style called Gion-zukuri. The shrine’s famed Gion Matsuri festival in summer got its start as a ceremony to pray for the end of a great plague in 869. From New Year’s Eve through New Year’s Day, the shrine is visited by a great many worshippers come to perform the “okera-mairi” ceremony. The ceremony involves lighting a lucky rope from sacred fire of burning “okera” (Atractylodes japonica) roots to bring the fire home and start one’s first home fire of the new year, thus bringing good luck for the rest of the year. The Ota-sha Shrahige-jinja Shrine located on the grounds of Yasaka Shrine is believed to provide grant divine favor to those seeking to improve in the performing arts and, as such, the shrine is visited by Gion geisha and maiko.
  • Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
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    4.0
    326 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Fushimi-ku Minamihamachou 247
    A museum dedicated to the Gekkeikan sake company located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. A remodeled sake brewery standing on the birthplace of Gekkeikan on the edge of the Hori River, the museum presents information on sake brewing in Fushimi and the history of the Gekkeikan company. Sake brewing implements designated Tangible Folk Cultural Properties by the city of Kyoto are on permanent display and visitors can also learn how sake is made. In addition, traditional sake brewing songs are played in the museum, recreating the atmosphere of a real sake brewery. In the sake tasting room, popular with tourists, visitors can sample Gekkeikan Retro-Bottle Ginjyoshu and Tama no Izumi Daiginjyo as well as Plum Wine. Tours of the Sakekobo facility require an advance reservation.

    Loved this sake museum tour and tasting. We love history and sake, so this visit made a lot of sense. You can read about how sake is made and the history of Gekkeikan Okura Sake, but you did not get...

Kyoto Areas

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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.

Kyoto Photo Album

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