Kyoto attractions

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.

Folklore says that Sojobo, the mythological King of the Tengu, inhabits Kurama, a rural temple town in the foothills of the northern Kyoto mountains. Less than an hour from Kyoto, Mt. Kurama is a popular choice for a day trip, famous for its hot springs and mountain top temple.

A 700-year-old pine tree welcomes visitors to Hosen-in Temple, a lodging site for Buddhist pilgrims since the 11th century. Part of this temple’s ceiling is made from blood-stained wooden floorboards from Fushimi Castle, which was invaded in 1600, resulting in a mass Samurai honor suicide.

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.

With its central shinbashira (pillar towering 180 feet (55 meters over downtown Kyoto, To-ji Temple is Japan’s tallest wooden structure. Built in 796, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple is also one of the oldest in the city and among Kyoto’s most beloved landmarks. It also hosts a popular flea market.

The Kyoto Handicraft Center is an easy one-stop-shop for browsing and purchasing local handicrafts, ranging from kimonos and decorative fans to pottery and dolls, and much more. Spanning three floors, a huge variety of traditional arts and handicrafts are available here, and the center also runs classes and rents kimono.

The only pilgrimage route besides the Camino de Santiago to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kumano Kodo is a network of trails through Kansai. In use for more than 1,000 years, the pilgrimage routes developed as a way to travel between sacred areas, a practice that tourists and pilgrims alike continue today.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.