Kyoto Travel Guide
Here, we have collected information on various popular tourist attractions in Kyoto. Please make use of it when gathering information for your tour.
We also have a variety of Kyoto sightseeing information and local guide of the neighboring area around the inn.
English-speaking staff will be made available at the inn to guide you through the tourist information so please feel free to seek assistance.
Kinkaku-Ji (Temple of Golden Pavilion)
The most popular tourist spot in Kyoto formally known as Rokuon-Ji, it is an architectural masterpiece that represents the early Muromachi period when the governance of the Ashikaga Shogunate was established in the Muromachi area of Kyoto in 1336. Registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994, you can stroll through the relaxed atmosphere of the temple precinct while enjoying the gold-coated temple and its reflection on the pond, and the surrounding Japanese gardens.
Gion District/Gion Corner
Gion Corner, located in the eastern part of Kyoto, is a popular night spot where tourists can appreciate a digest of traditional performing arts all on one stage. You will truly be enchanted when you see the world of 7 traditional performing arts that are the pride of Japan, and have been diligently passed on for generations. Also, you will be able to appreciate the scenic townscape rich in flavor while walking along the stone-paved streets, which is one of the enjoyable aspects of this area.
Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
A historic temple registered under World Cultural Heritage List. The narrow uphill road leading to the temple is filled with many eateries and souvenir shops, and there is also a spot known as the 'stage of Kiyomizu' in the temple precinct that presents a magnificent panoramic view of Kyoto's townscape. There's an old Japanese saying to describe an act of taking the plunge and making a decision as 'Jumping from the stage of Kiyomizu', and apparently between 1694 and 1864, there were some people who actually did.
Kyoto Station Building
The train station at the heart of Kyoto. Apart from train-related facilities there are commercial facilities such as hotel and department stores, cultural facilities such as an art gallery, as well as concert and event hall, making it one of the biggest terminal stations in Japan. Kyoto Tower is also nearby and it is the starting point for various sightseeing spots in Kyoto.
Nijo Castle
A castle built as an official accommodation facility by Tokugawa Ieyasu who established Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603 in Tokyo, then known as Edo, during his stay in Kyoto. This is a must-see for those who want to appreciate the beauty of authentic Japanese-style gardens. There is the Nino-maru garden constructed during Edo Period (1603 ~), the Hon-maru garden during Meiji Period (1868 ~), and the more recent Seiryu Garden constructed in 1965, allowing the visitors enjoy different styles of Japanese garden that reflects the time they were built.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is an imperial palace which the Emperor resided until 1868, when the Emperor was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo. If you submit request for a visit to the Imperial Household Agency, you can tour inside the palace free of charge. The rectangular grounds surrounding the palace known as Kyoto Gyoen are open to public, and you are allowed to stroll around the palace precinct.
Ginkaku-Ji (Temple of Silver Pavilion
Popularly known as 'Ginkaku-Ji', the 'Silver Pavilion', the official name of temple is Touzan-Jisho-Ji. The temple was constructed by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th Shogun of Muromachi Shogunate in 1490. In contrast to Kinkaku-Ji, where walls are coated in pure gold leaf, Ginkaku-Ji does not have silver foil covering its exterior.
Heian Shrine
A shrine marked by huge torii gate, the shrine is dedicated to Emperor Kanmu, who transferred the capital from Nara to Kyoto, and Emperor Komei, the last emperor to reside here. Many cherry blossom trees are planted with green Japanese gardens spreading through in the Shin-En garden located inside the shrine. The surrounding area is set up as cultural area with a library, an art gallery and a zoo all located in a relaxed townscape where Shirakawa River runs through it quietly.
Sanjusangen-do
Construction of Sanjusangen-do was funded by the powerful warrior-politician Taira-no Kiyomori under order of Emperor Go-Shirakawa in 1164. It is called the Sanjusangen-do, or the Hall of thirty-three bays, because there are 33 bays between each pole of the temple. It is also famous for having 1001 statues of Kannon, where they say there would be a statue that looks like the person you desperately want to meet. It is a valuable cultural heritage that you must see if you are in Kyoto.
Ryoan-ji (Temple of Peaceful Dragon)
The temple famous for its stone garden known as the 'Zen Garden'. This truly artistic garden consists of a rectangle area 22m long, 10m wide filled with white stones, where stones are raked to create flow, and 15 boulders are placed at 5 locations. It is a World Cultural Heritage site that is strongly recommended to visit if you are in Kyoto.
Arashiyama
Arashiyama is the famous district in Kyoto for cherry-blossom and autumn leaves. Since it became a place of vacation for the noble class during the Heian Period when the capital was located in Kyoto, it has been one of the most notable sightseeing spots in Kyoto. Many souvenir shops and eateries stand on the main street, where it is always bustling with tourist from other parts of Japan and abroad. Recommendable spots are; the scenery from Togetsukyo, the 'Moon Crossing Bridge' that stands across the Katsura River which runs through the centre of Arashiyama, Sagano bamboo forest, the famous spot of healing and relaxation, and the tram ride through the vast wilderness of Arashiyama.
Fushimi-Inari Taisha
Fushimi-Inai Taisha is the head shrine of Inari, which is said to have as many as 30,000 sub-shrines throughout Japan during its 1300 years of presence. The shrine sits at the base of Inari Mountain, and thousands of vermilion torii gates line up on the 4km of track leading to the shrine. The shrine has a truly mystical atmosphere, and is worshipped as the patron for successful harvest and business, family safety and improvement in performing arts.
Uji District
Uji is an area on the southern outskirts of the city of Kyoto, famous for World Heritages sites such as Ujigami Shrine and Byodo-In, and Uji green tea. The image of Byodo-In is placed on the 10 yen coin, and it is a rare cultural heritage where its architecture, Buddhist statues, paintings and gardens comes from 11th century AD. Uji green tea well known in Japan as the top quality tea, and you can taste the fresh flavor of tea here at Uji district.