Kyoto is one the most visited cities in Japan and for good reasons. The only city not destroyed during the bombing raids of world war II, because of its rich cultural heritage, it is filled with beautiful architecture, temples and gardens.
The imperial capital for over 1200 years, Kyoto retains some of its quaint atmosphere, by a well thought out urbanism plan. New modern marvels like the Kyoto station building live in harmony with century old temples like Kiyomizu-dera.
If you like religious buildings, you will be served in Kyoto with its 1600 Buddhist temples (many are the headquarters of their sects) and 400 Shinto shrines.
But Kyoto has other things to offer. With such a long history, it has become a cultural center and both traditional culture, with its Kabuki theater, Gion district, numerous handicraft shops and museums; and the modern culture, like the manga museum, are well represented in this city.
Be sure to visit the old Japanese-style houses called machiya (町家) or townhouses, typical of Kyoto. There are also numerous palaces and gardens to visit.
Among all the locations to visit in the city, the Kamo Shrines (Kami and Shimo), Kyō-ō-Gokokuji (Tō-ji), Kiyomizu-dera, Daigo-ji, Ninna-ji, Saihō-ji (Kokedera), Tenryū-ji, Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji), Jishō-ji (Ginkaku-ji), Ryōan-ji, Hongan-ji, Kōzan-ji and the Nijo Castle, primarily built by the Tokugawa shoguns are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list and are national treasures.
With so much beauty, you could spend a month visiting Kyoto and you would still not have seen everything. This is why a good guide is indispensable.
The imperial capital for over 1200 years, Kyoto retains some of its quaint atmosphere, by a well thought out urbanism plan. New modern marvels like the Kyoto station building live in harmony with century old temples like Kiyomizu-dera.
If you like religious buildings, you will be served in Kyoto with its 1600 Buddhist temples (many are the headquarters of their sects) and 400 Shinto shrines.
But Kyoto has other things to offer. With such a long history, it has become a cultural center and both traditional culture, with its Kabuki theater, Gion district, numerous handicraft shops and museums; and the modern culture, like the manga museum, are well represented in this city.
Be sure to visit the old Japanese-style houses called machiya (町家) or townhouses, typical of Kyoto. There are also numerous palaces and gardens to visit.
Among all the locations to visit in the city, the Kamo Shrines (Kami and Shimo), Kyō-ō-Gokokuji (Tō-ji), Kiyomizu-dera, Daigo-ji, Ninna-ji, Saihō-ji (Kokedera), Tenryū-ji, Rokuon-ji (Kinkaku-ji), Jishō-ji (Ginkaku-ji), Ryōan-ji, Hongan-ji, Kōzan-ji and the Nijo Castle, primarily built by the Tokugawa shoguns are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list and are national treasures.
With so much beauty, you could spend a month visiting Kyoto and you would still not have seen everything. This is why a good guide is indispensable.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
The Philosopher's Walk in Kyoto
A scenic walk along a cherry-tree-lined canal connecting three of Kyoto's great temples
A scenic walk along a cherry-tree-lined canal connecting three of Kyoto's great temples
Easy
1.7 mi/
2.8 km
2.8 km
Arashiyama Walking Tour
Togetsukyo Bridge, Horinji Temple, Hogonin Garden, Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Road, Nonomiya Shrine
Togetsukyo Bridge, Horinji Temple, Hogonin Garden, Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Road, Nonomiya Shrine
Easy
2.9 mi/
4.7 km
4.7 km
Kyoto Family Fun
Kyoto Tower, Kyoto International Manga Museum, Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, Kyoto Aquarium, Umekoji Park
Kyoto Tower, Kyoto International Manga Museum, Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, Kyoto Aquarium, Umekoji Park
Easy
9.9 mi/
15.9 km
15.9 km
Higashiyama Walking Tour
Kiyomizu Temple, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, Kodai-ji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, Chion-in Temple
Kiyomizu Temple, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, Kodai-ji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, Chion-in Temple
Moderate
1.8 mi/
2.9 km
2.9 km
Highlights of Kyoto
Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), Philosopher's Path, Kiyomizudera
Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), Philosopher's Path, Kiyomizudera
Moderate
10.6 mi/
17.1 km
17.1 km
Guides
The Vermilion Torii of Fushimi-Inari
Gion. The gem of Kyoto.
A scenic walk along a cherry-tree-lined canal connecting three of Kyoto's great temples
Daigo-ji, World Heritage Site.
Number-five of the fifty most visited sights in Kyoto, Japan.
Togetsukyo Bridge, Horinji Temple, Hogonin Garden, Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Road, Nonomiya Shrine
Kiyomizu Temple, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, Kodai-ji Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park, Chion-in Temple
"Nihonshu" - Japanese Sake
Kyoto Tower, Kyoto International Manga Museum, Umekoji Steam Locomotive Museum, Kyoto Aquarium, Umekoji Park
Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion), Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion), Philosopher's Path, Kiyomizudera
Community Trips
I was on a business trip to Tokyo and our hosts took us to Kyoto for a day trip. Kyoto is the ancient captial of Japan and some of the most beautiful temples anywhere in the world can be found in Kyoto. Our host took us to the Kyoto - Visit Kiyomizudera, Ginkakuji, and Ryoanji Temples. We took taxis from the train station and each of the temple...
Walk through the gardens of the Ginkaku-Ji temple in Kyoto. The gardens are probably the most impressive ones I have seen on our 1-week visit to Japan.
Following the Ginkaku-Ji we walked the Philosopher's walk.
On our second day in Kyoto, we visited the temples and shrines on the east side of the city and walked the cherry tree lined Philosopher's Path that runs along a branch of the Lake Biwa Canal. Curious as to the origin of the name of the path, I found the Kyoto University website which said that prior to World War II, Kyoto Imperial University gave rise to a group of academics...
This contains the pictures of autumn of Kyoto, the night illuminations of whole Tokyo from sky and the snow of Aizu.This trip is the sightseeing of Kyoto and the way to my home(Aizu).You can see the various site of small island - Japan.Most of the picture is in Kyoto. The last two us Aizu snow and thenight view of Tokyo.In Kyoto, I went to the one of most famous spot in Kyoto...
<Schedule>9:00 nanzen-temple12:00 kyoto station14:00 Sanjyuusangendou15:00 Kinkaikoumyou-temple16:00 Kinkaku-temple23:00 Ponto-city24:00 Chion-temple25:00 Gion<Sanjyuusangendou(meaning:33spaces temple)>Sanjyuusangendou means 33 spaces temple. It is built by 34 huge pillars, so there are 33 spaces. The length is about 120m. The first was built in 1164, but it was lost by the earthquake. The current temple was rebuilt in 1266 in the Kamakura period.In this temple, there are just 1001 bodys of Senjyu-Kannon who have eleven faces and one thousand...
Visit to one of Kyoto's tallest pagodas. Nice gardens and ponds with great views on the Toji Pagoda.
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