Spots in Kyoto Area

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Kyoto
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Category

Higashi Honganji Temple

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...
Kyoto Aquarium

4.0

546 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Shimogyou-ku Kankijichou 35-1 (in Umekoji Park)

"This inland aquarium is located in Umekoji Park, about a 15-minute walk from Kyoto Station. It consists of 10 areas, including the area of giant salamanders that inhabit the Kamo River, a huge tank filled with artificial seawater that recreates the Kyoto Sea, dolphins, penguins, etc. In July 2020, ""Jellyfish Wonders"" opened, exhibiting 5,000 jellyfish of about 30 species, the largest number in western Japan."

The Kyoto Aquarium is definitely worth a visit if you are in Kyoto. It is large and well laid out. There are maps that make it easy to navigate around. It is one of the places in Kyoto that is...
Kyoto International Manga Museum

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...
The funaya of Ine

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...
Katsura Imperial Villa

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
Kurama-dera Temple

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

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...
Kyoto Gyoen National Garden

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.
Seimei-jinja Shrine

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...
Yasaka Hall Gion Corner

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

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...
Hozu-gawa River Boat Ride

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.
Tenryu-ji Temple

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...
Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

4.5

291 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Sagatorimotofukatanichou 2-5

A Tendai Buddhist temple located in Sagano in Kyoto Prefecture that has attracted many faithful since the Heian period (794–1185) for providing protection against misfortune. The temple gained its name, Otagi Nenbutsu-ji, from the priest Senkan, who was ordered to restore the temple after it was damaged by the flooding of the Kamo River and who constantly intoned the nenbutsu prayer. The temple’s principle object of worship is a thousand-armed figure of Kannon warding away evil. The grounds are filled with 1,200 arhat figures, each with a differing expression. Surrounded by Japanese irises in spring and autumn foliage in fall, the sight of these friendly statues brings comfort to visitors.

Located a bit away from the center of Arashiyama, maybe 15-20 minutes walk, but it is totally worth it. Such a calm place, without crowds of tourists.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

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...
Kyoto Tower

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...
Kyoto Imperial Palace

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kamigyou-ku Kyoutogyoen

The Kyoto Imperial Palace is located in the northern side of the Kyoto Imperial Gardens. The palace is surrounded by a roofed mud wall and channel of clear running water 250 meters long east to west and 450 meters long north to south. The current palace was rebuilt in 1855 and includes such facilities as six gates scattered around all four sides, the old palace’s state chamber where successive generations of emperors were enthroned, and a hall of state built in the Imperial residence style located in the center of the compound where the Imperial throne is placed. The small old palace, built in the traditional shoin-zukuri style, is located on the north side of the compound, and from here visitors can view an elegant garden with a large pond. Once, viewing the Kyoto Imperial Palace required an application to be made beforehand, but today no such reservation is required and the palace may be viewed freely by anyone year round (note that a bagger inspection will be performed prior to allowing visitors entry).
Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

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...
Saiho-ji Temple (Kokedera / Moss Temple)

4.5

271 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nishikyou-ku Matsuojingatanichou 56

Saiho-ji Temple was first opened by Gyoki in the Nara period and then restored in 1339 by Muso kokushi (Muso Soseki). Covered by 120 kinds of beautiful green moss, it has acquired the name “Koke-dera” (moss temple). The two level garden, designated as one of Japan’s special areas of scenic beauty, is separated into an upper dry landscape garden and lower garden with central pond. In the autumn season, visitors’ hearts are stolen by the sight of red and yellow leaved trees contrasted against the green moss. Note that visits require booking in advance.

The temple grounds were overrun with tourists in 1977, so the monks established an elaborate system of reserving a space for a 10:00 a.m or 1:00 p.m. visit. You write a request to the monastery with...
Iwashimizu-Hachimangu Shrine

4.5

220 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Yawatashi Yawata Takabou 30

Considered one of the greatest Hachiman shrines, Shinto shrines dedicated to Hachiman, in the country, this shrine was established in 859 when the deity of Usa Hachimangu in Kyushu was ceremonially divided and transferred here to protect an Imperial castle built in southwestern Heian-kyo (the former name of the city of Kyoto), considered an unlucky area due to the tenets of feng shui. Today, believers come to the shrine for protection from evil and calamity, and has come to be affectionately known as “Yawata no Hachiman-sama.” The Shrine’s vermillion-lacquered main building was rebuilt with donations from Tokugawa Iemitsu in the Edo period, and it, together with structures such as the inner shrine, outer shrine, two tier gate, are all registered as Important Cultural Property.

The main building is designated as a National Treasure a couple of years ago. This is the home of Hachiman shrines which spreads all over Japan. I bought a good luck charm years ago and it was so...

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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.