Other sights in Kyoto
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Heian-jingū
This impressive shrine complex was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto. The buildings are colourful replicas, reduced to two-thirds of the size of the Kyoto Gosho of the Heian period.
The spacious garden, with its large pond and Chinese-inspired bridge, is also meant to represent the kind of garden that was popular in the Heian period. About 500m in front of the shrine there is a massive orange torii (Shintō shrine gate). Although it appears to be entirely separate from the shrine, this is actually considered the main entrance to the shrine itself.
Two major events are held at the shrine: Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages), on 22 …
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Kurama-dera
This temple was established in 770 by the monk Gantei from Nara's Tōshōdai-ji. After seeing a vision of the deity Bishamon-ten, guardian of the northern quarter of the Buddhist heaven, Gantei established Kurama-dera just below the peak of Kurama-yama. Originally under the Tendai sect, Kurama has been independent since 1949, describing its own brand of Buddhism as Kurama Kyō.
The entrance to the temple is just up the hill from the Eiden Eizan main line's Kurama Station. A tram goes to the top for ¥100; alternatively, hike up by following the main path past the tram station. The trail is worth taking if it's not too hot, as it winds through a forest of towering old-growth…
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Jakkō-in
The history of Jakkō-in is exceedingly tragic. The actual founding date of the temple is subject to some debate (somewhere between the 6th and 11th centuries), but it gained fame as the temple that harboured Kenrei Mon-in, a lady of the Taira clan. In 1185 the Taira were soundly defeated in a sea battle with the Minamoto clan at Dan-no-ura. With the entire Taira clan slaughtered or drowned, Kenrei Mon-in threw herself into the waves with her grandson Antoku, the infant emperor; she was fished out – the only member of the clan to survive.
Unfortunately the main building of the temple burned down in May 2000 and the newly reconstructed main hall is lacking some of the cha…
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Byōdō-in
This Buddhist temple was converted from a Fujiwara villa in 1052. The Hōō-dō (Phoenix Hall), more properly known as the Amida-dō, was built in 1053 and is the only original remaining building. The phoenix was a popular mythical bird in China and was revered by the Japanese as a protector of Buddha. The architecture of the building resembles the shape of the bird, and there are two bronze phoenixes perched opposite each other on the roof.
The building was originally intended to represent Amida's heavenly palace in the Pure Land. This building is one of the few extant examples of Heian-period architecture, and its graceful lines make one wish that far more of its type ha…
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Sanzen-in
Founded in 784 by the priest Saichō, Sanzen-in elongs to the Tendai sect of Buddhism. The temple's Yusei-en is one of the most photographed gardens in Japan, and rightly so. Take some time to sit and enjoy the garden.
After seeing Yusei-en, head off to the Ojo-gokuraku Hall (Temple of Rebirth in Paradise) to see the impressive Amitabha trinity, a large Amida image flanked by attendants Kannon, goddess of mercy, and Seishi, god of wisdom. After this, walk up to the hydrangea garden at the back of the temple, where in late spring and summer you can walk among hectares of blooming hydrangeas.
To get to Sanzen-in, follow the signs from Ōhara's main bus stop up the hill past a …
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Jingo-ji
This is the best of the three temples in the Takao area. This mountain temple sits at the top of a long flight of stairs that stretch up from Kiyotaki-gawa to the temple's main gate. The Kondō (Gold Hall) is the most impressive of the temple's structures; it's roughly in the middle of the grounds, at the top of another flight of stairs.
After visiting the Kondō, head in the opposite direction along a wooded path to an open area overlooking the valley. Don't be surprised if you see people tossing small discs over the railing into the chasm below. These are kawarakenage – light clay discs that people throw to rid themselves of their bad karma. Be careful: it's addictive, a…
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Kōzan-ji
To get to Kōzan-ji you must walk back up to the main road and follow it north for about 10 minutes.
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Nishijin Textile Center
In the heart of the Nishijin textile district, this is worth a peek before starting a walk around the area. There are also displays of completed fabrics and kimonos, as well as weaving demonstrations and occasional kimono fashion shows. Unfortunately, these days, it's often overrun with large bus tours. It's on the southwest corner of the Horikawa-dōri and Imadegawa-dōri intersection.
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Saimyō-ji
This is the better of the two other temples. It's about five minutes' walk north of the base of the steps that lead up to Jingo-ji (follow the river upstream).
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Hosomi Museum
There are several places in Kyoto where you can see stunning examples of lacquerware, including maki-e lacquerware. The Hosomi Museum has an excellent collection of tea utensils, including some brilliant maki-e lacquerware pieces.
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National Museum of Modern Art
This museum is renowned for its compact collection of contemporary Japanese ceramics and paintings.
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Konchi-in
Just west of the main gate to Nanzen-ji (up some steps and down a side street), you will find Konchi-in, which has a dry garden designed by the master landscape designer Kobori Enshū. This garden is a good example of shakkei, or borrowed scenery; note how the mountains behind are drawn into the design.
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Tenju-an
This temple stands at the side of the San-mon. Built in 1337, the temple has a splendid garden and a great collection of carp in its pond.
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Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
The Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art organises several major exhibitions a year, including the excellent Kyoten exhibition, which showcases Japan's best living artists. It's held from late May until early June most years (check with the TIC for exact dates). Kyoto-related works form a significant portion of the permanent collection.
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