Kyoto Sights

  1. Adashino Nembutsu-Ji

    This rather unusual temple is where the abandoned bones of paupers without kin were gathered. More than 8000 stone images are crammed into the temple grounds, dedicated to the repose of their spirits. The abandoned souls are remembered with candles each year in the Sentō Kuyō ceremony held here on the evenings of 23 and 24 August. The temple is not a must-see attraction, but it's certainly interesting and the stone images make unusual photographs.

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  2. Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

    If you want to spend some quality time with our simian cousins or entertain restless children, this park might fit the bill. Just be warned: it's a steep climb up the hill to get to the monkeys. If it's a hot day, you're going to be drenched by the time you get to the spot where they gather.

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  3. Byōdō-In

    If you happen to have a 10 Yen coin in your pocket, dig it out now and have a look at it. The building depicted on the coin is the main hall of this lovely temple in the centre of Uji. Overlooking a serene pond, the hall is one of the loveliest Buddhist structures in Japan.

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  4. Chion-In

    The most impressive single sight in Southern Higashiyama, Chion-in is a must-see for those with a taste for the grand and glorious. It was built by the monk Genchi in 1234 on the site where his mentor, Hōnen, had taught and eventually fasted to death. Today it is still the headquarters of the Jōdo school, which was founded by Hōnen, and it's a hive of religious activity.

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  5. Daigo-Ji

    Daigo-ji was founded in 874 by Shobo, who gave it the name Daigo (meaning 'the ultimate essence of milk'). This refers to the five periods of Buddha's teaching, which were compared to the five forms of milk prepared in India - the highest form is called daigo in Japanese.

    The temple was expanded into a vast complex on two levels, Shimo Daigo (lower) and Kami Daigo (upper). Kami Daigo is atop Daigo-yama, behind the temple.

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  7. Daikaku-Ji

    Daikaku-ji was built in the 9th century as a palace for Emperor Saga, who then converted it into a temple (one of Kyoto's less-commonly visited temples). The present buildings date from the 16th century and are palatial in style; they also contain some impressive paintings. The large Osawa-no-ike pond was once used by the emperor for boating and is a popular spot for viewing the harvest moon. Located a 25-minute walk northeast of Nison-in

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  8. Daisen-In

    The two small Zen gardens in this subtemple of Daitoku-ji are elegant examples of 17th-century karesansui (dry-landscape rock garden) style. Here the trees, rocks and sand are said to represent and express various spectacles of nature, from waterfalls and valleys to mountain lakes. It's one of the more popular subtemples here, but not as rewarding as Kōtō-in or Obai-in.

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  9. Daitoku-Ji

    Daitoku-ji is a separate world within Kyoto - a world of Zen temples, perfectly raked gardens and wandering lanes. It is one of the most rewarding destinations in this part of the city, particularly for those with an interest in Japanese gardens.

    Daitoku-ji, the headquarters of the Rinzai Daitoku-ji school, contains an extensive complex of 24 subtemples - including Daisen-in, Kōtō-in, Obai-in, Ryōgen-in and Zuihō-in. If you want an intensive look at Zen culture, this is the place to visit.

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  10. Eikan-Dō

    Perhaps Kyoto's most famous (and most crowded) autumn foliage destination, Eikan-dō should probably be avoided in November, but is worth a visit at other times of year.

    This temple is made interesting by its varied architecture, its gardens and works of art. A fabulous spot for viewing the autumn colours, the temple was founded as Zenrin-ji in 855 by the priest Shinshō, but the name was changed to Eikan-dō in the 11th century to honour the philanthropic priest Eikan.

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  11. Funaoka Onsen

    Funaoka Onsen is our favourite sentō in Kyoto. This old bath boasts outdoor bathing and a sauna, as well as some museum-quality woodcarvings in the changing room (apparently carved during Japan's invasion of Manchuria). To find it, head west from Horikawa-dōri along Kuramaguchi-dōri. It's on the left, not far past the Lawson convenience store. Look for the large rocks out the front.

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  13. Fureai-kan Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts

    For a break from temple-gazing, pop into the excellent Fureai-kan Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts. Exhibits include wood-block prints, lacquerware, bamboo goods and gold-leaf work. It's in the basement of Miyako Messe (Kyoto International Exhibition Hall).

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  14. Fushimi-Inari-Taisha

    With seemingly endless arcades of vermilion torii (shrine gates) spread across a thickly wooded mountain, this vast shrine complex is a world unto its own. It is, quite simply, one of the most impressive and memorable sights in all of Kyoto.

    The shrine was dedicated to the gods of rice and sake by the Hata family in the 8th century. As the role of agriculture diminished, deities were enrolled to ensure prosperity in business.

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  15. Gekkeikan Sake Ōkura Museum

    The largest of Fushimi's sake breweries is Gekkeikan, the world's leading producer of sake. Although most of the sake is now made in a modern facility in Osaka, a limited amount is still handmade in a Meiji-era sakagura (sake brewery) in Fushimi.

    The Gekkeikan Sake Ōkura Museum houses a collection of artefacts and memorabilia tracing the 350-year history of Gekkeikan and the sake-brewing process.

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  16. Ginkaku-Ji

    With a sublime wooden hall overlooking an impressive stroll garden, Ginkaku-ji is easily one of Kyoto's most beautiful sights. Unfortunately, the beauty of the place guarantees that it is almost always swamped with bus loads of visitors from all over the world. We recommend visiting just after it opens, ideally on a weekday morning. Failing that, try coming just before it closes, as the setting sun casts its golden light over the hills above the temple.

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  17. Giō-Ji

    This quiet temple was named for the Heian-era shirabyōshi (traditional dancer) Giō, who committed herself here as a nun at age 21 after her romance ended with Taira-no-Kiyomori, the mighty commander of the Heike clan. She was usurped in Kiyomori's affections by a fellow entertainer, Hotoke Gozen (who later deserted Kiyomori to join Giō at the temple).

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  19. Gion District

    Gion is the famous entertainment and geisha quarter on the eastern bank of the Kamo-gawa. While Gion's true origins were in teahouses catering to weary visitors to Yasaka-jinja, by the mid-18th century the area was Kyoto's largest pleasure district. Despite the looming modern architecture, congested traffic and contemporary nightlife establishments that have cut a swathe through its historical beauty, there are still some places left in Gion for an enjoyable walk.

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  20. Gokō-yu

    Gokō-yu, a popular bath, is a great spot to sample the joys of the sentō. It's a large two-storey bath with a wide variety of tubs. There's also a giant sauna with two rooms; one is merely hot, the other is incendiary! We also like the TV fish tank in the entrance (you'll see what we mean). Note that Gokō-yu is a little hard to find - turn north off Gojō-dōri at the store that sells charcoal and gas burners.

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  21. Heian-Jingū

    Takigi Nō is a picturesque form of nō performed in the light of blazing fires on the evenings of 1 and 2 June at Heian-jingū. Tickets cost ¥2000 if you pay in advance at local ticket agencies or ¥3300 at the entrance gate.

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  22. Hiei-Zan & Enryaku-Ji

    A visit to 848m-high Hiei-zan and the vast Enryaku-ji complex is a good way to spend half a day hiking, poking around temples and enjoying the atmosphere of a key site in Japanese history.

    Enryaku-ji was founded in 788 by Saichō, also known as Dengyō-daishi, the priest who established the Tenzai school. This school did not receive imperial recognition until 823, after Saichō's death; however, from the 8th century the temple grew in power.

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  23. Higashi Hongan-Ji

    A short walk north of Kyoto Station, this temple is the last word in all things grand and gaudy. Considering the proximity to the station, the free admission, the awesome structures and the dazzling interiors, this temple is an obvious spot to visit if you find yourself in the area.

    In 1602 when shōgun Tokugawa Ieyasu engineered the rift in the Jōdo Shin-shū (True Pure Land) school of Buddhism, he founded this temple as a competitor to Nishi Hongan-ji.

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  25. Hōmotsukan Treasure House

    The Hōmotsukan Treasure House contains the original temple bell and door paintings and the original phoenix roof adornments. Allow about an hour to wander through the grounds.

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  26. Hōnen-In

    One of Kyoto's hidden pleasures, this temple was founded in 1680 to honour the priest Hōnen. It's a lovely, secluded temple with carefully raked gardens set back in the woods. The temple buildings include a small gallery where frequent exhibitions featuring local and international artists are held. If you need to escape the crowds that positively plague nearby Ginkaku-ji, come to this serene refuge.

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  27. Hōsen-In

    The main tatami room offers a view of a bamboo garden and the surrounding mountains, framed like a painting by the beams and posts of the building. There is also a fantastic 700-year-old pine tree in the garden. The blood-stained Chi Tenjō ceiling boards came from Fushimi-jō castle. Located just down the path west of the entry gate to Shōrin-in temple.

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  28. Imperial Household Agency

    Permission to visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace is granted by the Kunaichō - the Imperial Household Agency, which is inside the walled park surrounding the palace, a short walk from Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma line. You have to fill out an application form and show your passport. Children can visit if accompanied by adults more than 20 years of age but are forbidden entry to the other three imperial properties of Katsura Rikyū, Sentō Gosho and Shūgaku-in Rikyū.

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  29. Jakkō-In

    Jakkō-in is reached by a very pleasant walk through a quaint 'old Japan' village. It's a relatively small temple that can't compete with the beauty of its popular neighbour (the more famous Sanzen-in temple), but it does make an interesting end point to a fine walk in the country.

    The history of the temple is exceedingly tragic.

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