History / Culture / Tour Spots in Around Kyoto Station Area

  • To-ji Temple (Kyo-o-gokoku-ji Temple)
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    4.5
    1646 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Minami-ku Kujouchou 1
    This Buddhist temple is the only remaining structure built during the days of the ancient capital of Heian-kyo (the former name of the city of Kyoto) and officially named Kyo-o gokoku-ji Temple. The temple was registered as a World Heritage site in 1994. The temple’s numerous National Treasures are worthy of note, such as its Kondo Hall (Main Hall), Daishido Hall (Miei House), and five tier pagoda, which is 55 meters (187 feet) tall and is the tallest wooden structure in Japan. Some of the temple’s many other historic and cultural assets include the southern gate and lecture hall, both registered as Important Cultural Properties.

    this place was absolutely gorgeous. It was established towards the end of the 8th Century, with it being the only remaining site from the original Heiankyo. (meaning that it existed since Kyoto...

  • Nishi Hongan-ji Temple
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    4.5
    788 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Shimogyo-ku Horikawa Nagaya-machi Town Down
    The head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji sect of Buddhism believed to have originally been built as the mausoleum of the priest Shinran Shonin in 1272. After repeated relocations including Osaka and Wakayama, the temple was moved to its current location in 1591 with a donation from Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1591. The Nishi Hongwanji Temple (officially Ryukokuzan Hongwanji Temple) is the site of numerous Azuchi-Momoyama period structures designated National Treasures, including the Goei-do hall, Amidado-hall, the Kitano Stage (Japan’s oldest Noh stage), and study. The study’s garden is a traditional dry landscape garden and is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty. In 1995, the entire grounds of the shrine were registered as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” World Heritage listing.

    We came to see this temple after visiting the Higashi Hongonji. There were rather a lot of tents, which rather spoiled the ancient ambience of the complex; also making photography...

  • Higashi Honganji Temple
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    4.0
    769 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Shimogyo-ku Karasuma-dori Seven Rises
    Higashi Honganji Temple is the head temple of the Otani sect of Shinshu Buddhism. The “Goeido” housing an image of sect founder Shinran is said to be one of the world’s largest wooden buildings with dimensions north-south of 76 meters, east-west of 58 meters, and a height of 38 meters. It was occasionally devastated by fire, and the current building is a reconstruction from the Meiji period. The gate outside Goeido, “Goeidomon,” is one of Kyoto’s three large gates.

    Our taxi driver dropped us off here while he waited. It was near closing time so we had to rush. The massive scale of this temple is quite impressive. The decor is beautiful and you really have a...

  • Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Otabisho
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Minami-ku Nishikujouikenouchichou 98
    Located about five minutes on foot from Kyoto Station in Minami Ward, Kyoto City, this is the spot where Fushimi Inari's mikoshi (portable shrine) is stored. Tourists and locals pour in for the annual Inari Festival from late April to early May when the precincts are lined with a variety of stalls. During this time visitors can receive a goshuin, the shrine's official stamp.
  • Kyoto Railway Museum
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Shimogyou-ku Kankijichou
    A museum dedicated to railways located on the western side of Kyoto Station. The museum features some 31 thousand square meters of exhibition space, which was the largest in Japan when the facility first opened. The facility displays 53 trains which helped lead the modernization of Japan. The museum is full of other interesting sights and activities, as well, including a giant railroad diorama, a train which visitors can ride pulled by a real steam engine, and a train simulator which shows what it's like to drive a train. The museum also provides a variety of cultural activities such as guided tours and workshops conducted by JR West Japan employees. Walk 20 minutes west from the central entrance of JR Kyoto Station.
  • Ichihime-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    44 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Shimogyou-ku Kawaramachigojou Below the First Level Nishijiru
    This was built in 795 by Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu under orders of Emperor Kammu. The enshrined deities are all goddesses, and as successive generations of empress believed in the shrine as a protector of women it is famous for helping with marriage, children and childbirth. The card-shaped charms are popular.

    great street food heading up to the shrine as well, more beautiful in person than any photos you see

  • Inabado (Byodoji Temple)
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    4.0
    49 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Shimogyou-ku Inabadouchou 728
    Located in Kyoto's Shimogyo Ward, Inabado, also known as Byodoji, is a temple of the Chisan branch of Shingon Buddhism, dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, one of the three major Buddhas revered in Japan. The national government has designated it an Important Cultural Property. Prayers said at this temple are said to be effective against cancer. On the eighth day of every month, cedar sticks are burned in a goma ceremony for purification, and prayers are offered.

    A very well-known and popular temple for the Japanese Medicine (healing) Buddha. The bhaisajyaguru (Medicine) Buddha can heal all diseases including cancers, thus a lot of people came over this...

  • Costume Museum
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    4.0
    37 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto-shi, Shimogyo-ku Horikawa Don Shin-Hanaya Town Downtown Izuchi Left Beef Building 5F
    Opened in 1974, the Costume Museum features exhibits of Japanese clothing and customs around it dating from ancient to modern times. In 2012 they added a 1:4 scale exhibition on the early and middle Heian period. It lets visitors experience the world of the Heian period with the five senses and the transformations that took place over its 400 years.

    Very small. On 5th floor. So well done, no crowd, colorful and accurate. An oasis in contrast to larger exhibits. Especially kind representation of females.

  • Ryukoku University Ryukoku Museum
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    4.0
    40 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto Shirokyo-ku Horikawa Dori Front (Nishihonganji Temple in front)
    Ryukoku Museum is dedicated to Buddhism and based on the research of Ryukoku University. Visitors learn about Buddhist thought, history, and culture through easy to understand displays of authentic items. In addition, their special theme-based exhibitions and planned exhibitions held a few times a year are always interesting. The museum's first floor cafe and shop can be used without visiting the museum itself.

    We decided to stop at this Museum as it started to rain very hard after our visit of the Nishi Hongwangi Temple ( on the other side of the street ) .Lots of children around taking classes and...

  • Sumiya Motenashi Cultural and Art Museum
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    4.5
    50 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Shimogyou-ku Nishishinyashikiageyachou 32
    One often hears of geisha quarter “Shimabara” in Kyoto period dramas. Now it is Nishishinyashiki Ageya-cho, and what remains of that time is the Sumiya Motenashi Museum of Art and Culture. Sumiya was a high-class pleasure house built at the beginning of the establishment of Shimabara in 1641. The wide garden facing the tatami room has a tea house, and the place was used not only for parties but tea ceremonies and gathering of haiku poets too. In 1952 it was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan as a place retaining the culture of feasts and hospitality.

    This place is a real find and usually off the beaten tourist track for non Japanese. To get the best its advisable to have the benefit of an interpreter. We hired a Japanese tour guide for the day as...

  • Ryukoku University, Omiya Campus
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    4.5
    22 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Shimogyo Ward Shichyori Omiya Higashi-carpenter 125-1
    The Omiya Campus of Ryukoku University is a historic building located in Kyoto's Shimogyo Ward. At the beginning, it was a Buddhist seminary connected with Nishi Honganji Temple, but in 1879, built to contain lecture halls when Ryukoku became a university under the reforms of the educational system. It incorporates both Japanese and Western elements, and the Japanese government has designated it an Important Cultural Property. It is used for devotions, Buddhist lectures, other university activities, and Buddhist weddings.

    This is a private university and spreading with several campuses in the city center. Each campus has a nice and unique architectural design and is itself a landmark or icon. The university was setup...

  • Rokusonno-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    17 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Minami-ku Mibu-to Tsun Hangu-Horn
    Rokusonno-jinja Shrine was built during the Heian period to enshrine Minamoto-no-Tsunemoto, grandchild of Emperor Seiwa. It is said that if one crosses the popular vermillion arched bridge, also known as “the bridge of love,” they will be blessed by a good marriage partner. In the spring it is a beautiful place blooming with Oshima and Someiyoshino cherry blossoms.

    清和源氏発祥の地として有名な神社です。幼稚園(保育園?)が境内にあります。東寺の北総門を出て、左に進むと交差点にある神社です。狭い境内ですが、綺麗に整備されていて、往時が偲ばれる場所です。桜の季節が一番ですね。徒歩で東寺から羅城門跡へ行く途中に立ち寄りました。

  • Nyakuichi Jinja Shrine
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    3.5
    20 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoto-shi Shimogyo-ku Shichijogoshonouchihonmachi 98
    A shrine founded by Taira Kiyomori that is said to bring you good fortune and success in life. They offer a variety of amulets and voltive wooden plaques that will grant good fortune.

    神社そのものはどこにでもあるような平凡なものですが、ここは平家の総帥、平清盛に因む縁起のために有名になった神社です。若一と書いて「にゃくいち」と読ませます。清盛が白拍子など愛妾を住まわせていたのがここ西八条であり、愛妾を入れ替わりさせる等、昔は普通でも今では考えられないような行いをしていた場所です。でも、六波羅蜜寺近辺に居住していた清盛がよくもここまで通えたものですね、相当な距離があるのに。女性の...

  • Kyoto School History Museum
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    4.0
    23 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Kyoto-shi Shimogyo-ku Gokochimachidori Bukkoji Sagaru Tachibanacho 437

    特定の日は無料で開放されます。2020年11月14日と15日は無料です。他の日でも建物の中へ入らなければ、この写真に写っているグランド、建物前までは無料で入れます。特別展とか建物内は有料となります。日本で最初に開設された小学校、幼稚園(開智)の跡地です。興味ある人には良いけど、こう云う古いだけの歴史的建造物には興味が無い(江戸時代以前は別にして)と云う私みたいな人間には有料で入る気はしませんでした...

  • Kouenji Temple
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    4.0
    18 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Shimogyou-ku Ayakoujiomiya Nishinari Shijo Omiya Machi 37
    A Pure Land Buddhist Temple founded in 1613 and branch temple of the Chion-in temple. The temple nave houses a figure of Amitabha. The temple was closely connected to the Shinsengumi, the shogunate police, and many people connected to the force are buried here. It is also the gravesite of many warriors, such as Yamanami Keisuke and Kawai Kisaburo.

    Beautiful gardens and a great ambience. A great place to meditate or just absorb the culture and spiritual aspects of this lovely nation.

  • Doso Jinja Shrine
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    3.5
    14 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoto-shi Shimogyo-ku Aburakoji Shiokoji Sagaru Minami Fudodo Cho 5-4
    A shrine that enshrines the wedded spirits of Sarutahiko-no-Okami and Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto. The figure of the two gods embracing draws people to the shrine praying for marriage related blessings.

    正月の松の内は「無人」神社じゃなくてちゃんと人が居て、ご朱印対応も拝受品の販売もやっているみたい。前の道路は主に観光客が往来するだけで、地元の人はあまり居ない。大きなスーツケースをゴロゴロ引いて歩いているインバウンド?外人さんが多い。京都駅西側のリーズナブルホテル「アパホテル」とかも至近であり、比較的若いカップルが多い。道祖神は猿田彦大神と天鈿女命の夫婦の2神で、縁結びの神としても信仰されているみ...

  • Shijo-ohashi Bridge
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nakagyou-ku Kashiwayachou Saito-machi, Shimogyo-ku, Kawabata-cho, Higashiyama Ward
    This bridge runs between Nakagyo Ward and Shimogyo Ward in Kyoto City. Since it connects two parts of downtown Kyoto, it gets a lot of traffic. Originally built in 1142, it was constructed in its current steel girder form in 1942. Eastbound there are three lanes including a right-turn lane, and westbound there are two lanes. The sidewalk is wider than those of other nearby roads.
  • Bukkoji
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoto-shi Shimogyo-ku Shinkaicho 397
  • Museum 'EKi' KYOTO
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Kyoto Kyoto-shi Shimogyo-ku
    An art museum on the 7th floor of the JR Kyoto Isetan building. It is popular for its easy accessibility including from the grand open staircase that first opened in 1997. Exhibitions cover a wide variety of genres including paintings, photography, picture books, handicrafts, animation, and fashion and include both domestic and foreign pieces of art.
  • Rajomon Gate Ruins
    Travel / Tourism
    Kyoto Kyoto-shi Minami-ku Karahashirajomoncho
    "This is the ruin of Rajomon gate, built in 794 when the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo, at the southern end of Suzaku-oji Avenue. It is now a children's playground with a stele of ""Rajomon Ruins."" This gate was the setting of Ryunosuke Akutagawa's novel Rashomon."

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.

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