Founded in 1319, Daitoku-ji Temple is a large walled temple complex in northern Kyoto that encompasses Zen gardens and more than 20 sub-temples. It’s the head temple of the Rinzai sect’s Daitoku-ji school of Zen Buddhism and the spiritual center of the Japanese tea ceremony. The complex is a great place to experience and learn about Buddhism in Japan.
Founded in 888, Ninna-ji Temple maintained a centuries-long status as a royal temple. Members of the Imperial Family served as the temple’s head priest, bringing prestige that lasts to this day. Today, it’s the center of the Omuro sect of Shingon Buddhism and houses structures relocated from Kyoto’s former Imperial Palace.
The Japanese royal family lived in Kyoto Imperial Palace(Kyoto Gosho) until 1868, when the capital moved to Tokyo. It’s located within the Kyoto Imperial Park, which also houses other palaces and shrines. This must-visit attraction allows visitors to gain a greater understanding of Japan’s rich history and culture while enjoying landscaped gardens.
On the outskirts of Kyoto, the tranquil area of Sagano encompasses some of the city’s most stunning landscapes. This rural residential area boasts views of the mountains dotting the horizon, colorful fields, and, most famously, a dense bamboo forest that may just be one of Japan’s prettiest spots.
Built in 1164, Sanjusangen-do Hall impresses with its 1,001 golden Buddhist statues flanking the giant seated Kannon (goddess of mercy). It’s considered one of the world’s top collections of wooden statuary. The 400-foot (122-meter) hall gets its name from the 33 spaces between its columns.
Yasaka Shrine–called Yasaka Jinja in Japanese and sometimes still referred to by its old name, Gion Shrine–is a popular and important Shinto shrine in Kyoto’s Gion neighborhood. Thought to have been founded in the 7th century, the shrine has patronized local arts for centuries and is home to the lively Gion Matsuri (festival) in July.
Jojakko-ji Temple is a small Buddhist temple in Kyoto’s popular Arashiyama District, west of the central city. Dating from the late-16th century, the temple is set on the side of Mt. Kokura and offers sweeping views across the city. While the Arashiyama district is very popular with tourists, this small temple is usually tranquil.
Situated near the famous Geisha district of Gion, Kennin-ji Temple attracts Buddhist monks on pilgrimage as well as religious locals, tourists, and curious explorers. Dating to 1202, it’s one of the most important Zen temples in Kyoto, with rooftops that curve upwards toward the sky, as if in prayer.
Among Kyoto’s collection of UNESCO-listed temples, Ryoan-ji Temple stands out for its mysterious 15th-century zen rock garden. No matter where you stand gazing out over the rock garden, at least one rock is hidden from sight, and the meditative spot is said to represent ‘infinity’ or an ‘endless sea.’
Best known for its riot of colorful foliage each autumn, this celebrated Buddhist temple—part of the Jodo sect of Japanese Buddhism—is considered an indispensable stop on any Kyoto itinerary. With roots dating back to the 8th century, here you’ll find a variety of traditional buildings and a tranquil garden with a tree-lined pond, all open to visitors year-round.
Kyoto’s main waterway, the Kamogawa River (Kamo River) runs from the north to the south of the city. As well as being a favorite local haunt for riverside walks, bike rides, picnics, and people-watching, the banks are also buzzing with restaurants and nightlife options—most notably, around the geisha districts of Pontocho and Gion.
In the early 14th century, Japanese Emperor Hanazono abdicated to become a monk, turning his palace into what is now the Myoshin-ji Temple. This large complex houses a main temple and 50 sub-temples. Nearly all of the buildings were destroyed in a war in the 15th century and rebuilt over the next 150 years. The reconstructions stand today.
If you’ve had a taste of Japanese sake and want to know more about how this rice liquor is produced, make sure to visit Kyoto’s Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum. Run by one of Japan’s most famous sake-producing companies, the Gekkeikan Sake Company, the museum is housed in an old sake brewery from the early 20th century.
Named after a renowned Japanese philosopher who was said to have walked this path for his daily meditation, the Philosopher’s Path (Tesugaku-no-michi) is a scenic, stone-paved walkway along a tree-lined canal. Popular with locals and visitors alike, it’s one of the best places in the city to view cherry blossoms.
When Sapporo residents want to relax, play, or soak up nature, they head for Maruyama Park (Maruyama Koen). On the western side of the city, the park’s sprawling grounds include the Maruyama Wild Forest, a designated natural treasure, and several attractions including the Hokkaido Shrine, the Maruyama Zoo, and the Maruyama Baseball Stadium.
Designed by renowned architect Hiroshi Hara, Kyoto Station is the second-largest station in Japan. In addition to being the main transportation hub of Kyoto, the futuristic steel and glass structure houses a hotel, museum, theater, several shopping malls, and plenty of food options, making it a popular attraction in its own right.
If you only have time for a single day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, make it Himeji Castle, which is widely considered one of Japan’s most beautiful surviving feudal castles. Also known as the White Heron Castle, thanks to its striking white exterior, the UNESCO World Heritage–listed complex features a five-story central tower with surrounding moats, walls, and pagodas. The castle grounds are flanked by the ponds and tea rooms of Koko-en Gardens, a welcome retreat for a stroll or lunchtime stop.
Built in 1884 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto’s birth, the Heian Shrine is hailed as one of the city’s most attractive landmarks. The multi-tiered Shinto shrine is characterized by its distinctive red color, and being featured in the film Lost in Translation cemented its status as a must-see Kyoto landmark.
Nanzen-ji Temple is a large 13th-century Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. There are many components to the grounds, including a dry stone formal Japanese garden, a European-style 19th-century aqueduct, a traditional tea house, and more. Visitors can climb the steep stone steps to the Sanmon Gate for views across Kyoto.
The Nakasendo Way is an ancient 331-mile (534-kilometer trail connecting Kyoto and Tokyo that was once frequented by samurai and traders. These days, a shorter 5-mile (8-kilometer walking trail connecting the villages of Tsumago and Magome, through the Kiso Valley in Nagano Prefecture, is a popular day hike. This shorter section offers visitors an opportunity to experience history, culture, and beautiful nature on an easy hike.
The classically curved eaves, ceremonial steps, and oversized two-story gateway mark Chion-in as something special, even in temple-filled Kyoto. As the main temple of the Jodo school of Buddhism—the largest school of Buddhism in Japan—Chion-in is a very grand affair. Highlights include its huge main hall and its image of the sect’s founder, Honen.
One of Japan's designated “three most scenic views,” Amanohashidate is a pine-covered sandbar that connects the two sides of Miyazu Bay. Amanohashidate, which translates to "bridge in heaven," got its name for its beauty: it is said to look like a pathway between heaven and earth.
If you think this classic furled-roof temple looks familiar, take a look at a 10-yen coin and you’ll see why. One of Japan's most famous temples—and an UNESCO World Heritage Site—the temple’s 11th-century Phoenix Hall graces both the 10-yen coin and 10,000-yen note. It’s also one of the best examples of Heian-era architecture.
The 16th-century Nishi Hongan-ji Temple offers insight into ancient Japanese Buddhist history. This temple, along with its sibling-temple, Higashi Hongan-ji, represent two factions of the Jodo Shinshu sect.
On the banks of the Takano and Tamo Rivers, the bright orange buildings of the Shimogamo-jinja Shrine stand in stark contrast to its natural backdrop. More than 2,000 years old, Shimogamo-jinja is Kyoto’s oldest shrine and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kodai-ji, founded in the early 1600s, is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district famous for its lacquerware style. It contains the mausolea of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a critical Japanese historical figure, and his wife, Nene. Visitors come to admire the elegant traditional architecture and the formal gardens, particularly the raked rock garden that represents the ocean.
A manga lover’s dream, the Kyoto International Manga Museum is home to over 300,000 manga-related items, including Edo-period caricature woodblock prints, historical magazines, and manga books from around the world. A highlight is the Wall of Manga—an open-access library with 50,000 publications that visitors can browse and read on-site.
A shopaholic’s paradise, Teramachi Street is a covered shopping arcade in the heart of downtown Kyoto. The name translates to “Temple Town” in English due to the street’s 16th-century origins when the area was abundant with temples and shrines. Today, shoppers can find clothing stores, tea shops, art galleries, bookstores, and plenty of great souvenirs.
A welcome escape from the bustle of Kyoto and located off the main tourist trail, Shoren-in Temple is a 12th-century temple complex at the foot of the Higashiyama mountains. Part of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Shoren-in is also a monzeki temple, the special name given to temples that historically had priests from imperial or high-ranking families in Japan.
The tallest structure in a city known for its traditional architecture and ancient temples, Kyoto Tower rises 430 feet (131 meters). Take in the panoramic city views from the observation deck, located 328 feet (100 meters) off the ground and then browse the shopping and dining options at Kyoto Tower Building.
