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Jikkō-In
This small temple is often praised for its lovely garden and fudan-zakura cherry tree, which blossoms between October and March. Jikkō-in is worth the visit if you want to escape the crowds that often plague Sanzen-in. Located about 50m north of Sanzen-in.
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Jingo-Ji
This mountain-top temple is one of our favourites in all of Kyoto. It sits at the top of a long flight of stairs that stretch from the Kiyotaki-gawa to the temple's main gate. The Kondō (Gold Hall) is the most impressive of the temple's structures, located 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. Here you'll see people tossing small disks over the railing into the chasm below.
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Jizō-In
While this temple does not boast any spectacular buildings or treasures, it has a nice moss garden and is almost completely ignored by tourists, making it a great place to sit and contemplate.
From the parking lot near Saihō-ji, there is a small stone staircase that climbs to the road leading to Jizō-in (it helps to ask someone to point the way, as it's not entirely clear).
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Jōjakkō-Ji
This temple sits atop a mossy knoll and is famed for its brilliant maples, which turn a lovely crimson red in November, and its thatched-roof Niō-mon gate. The Hondō was constructed in the 16th century out of wood from Fushimi-jō.
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Kaleidoscope Museum Of Kyoto
This one-room museum is filled with unexpected wonders. Frankly, we had no idea of the variety and complexity in the field of kaleidoscopes. We don't know who will enjoy this more, children or the adults trying to keep them entertained. It's right behind the Museum of Kyoto.
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Kamigamo-Jinja
Kamigamo-jinja is one of Japan's oldest shrines and predates the founding of Kyoto. Established in 679, it is dedicated to Raijin, the god of thunder, and is one of Kyoto's 17 Unesco World Heritage sites. The present buildings (more than 40 in all), including the impressive Haiden hall, are exact reproductions of the originals, dating from the 17th to 19th centuries.
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Katsura Rikyū Imperial Villa
Katsura Rikyū, one of Kyoto's imperial properties, is widely considered to be the pinnacle of Japanese traditional architecture and garden design. Set amid an otherwise drab neighbourhood, it is (very literally), an island of incredible beauty and well worth the troublesome application process required to make a visit.
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Kawai Kanjirō Memorial Hall
This small memorial hall is one of Kyoto's most commonly overlooked little gems; it's worth a look, though, especially if you have an interest in Japanese crafts such as pottery and furniture. The hall was the home and workshop of one of Japan's most famous potters, Kawai Kanjirō (1890-1966).
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Kennin-Ji
Founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, Kennin-ji is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto. It's an island of peace and calm on the border of the boisterous Gion nightlife district and it makes a fine counterpoint to the worldly pleasures of that area. The highlight is the fine and expansive karesansui garden. The painting of the twin dragons on the roof of the Hōdō hall is also fantastic; access to this hall is via two gates with rather puzzling English operating instructions (you'll see what we mean).
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Kinkaku-Ji
Second only to Mt Fuji as Japan's most famous sight, this temple is famous for its dazzling gold-covered main hall, which floats like an apparition over its surrounding pond. It's a stunning vision and most people find it to their liking, although some prefer the more subdued appearance of its counterpart, Ginkaku-ji. Needless to say, the temple receives masses of visitors; as usual, we recommend an early-morning or late-afternoon visit.
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Kitano Tenman-Gū
This shrine is a great spot for a lazy stroll and the shrine buildings themselves are beautiful. It's particularly pleasant here in the plum-blossom season of March and is the site of Tenjin-San Market, one of Kyoto's most popular flea markets.
Kitano Tenman-gū was established in 947 to honour Sugawara Michizane (845-903), a noted Heian-era statesman and scholar.
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Kiyomizu-Dera
Along with Nijō-jō, Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's most popular sights and is almost always swarming with Japanese and foreign tourists. Fortunately, it's a large complex and it can absorb a lot of visitors. It's worth a visit for the views over the grounds and the city, and the fascinating features scattered around the main hall.
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Kizakura Kappa Country
Kizakura is a sake brewery worth a look while you're in the neighbourhood. The vast complex houses both sake and beer breweries, courtyard gardens and a small gallery dedicated to the mythical (and sneaky) creature, Kappa. The restaurant-bar is an appealing option for a bite and a bit of fresh-brewed ale. Located a short walk from its competitor, Gekkeikan.
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Kōdai-Ji
Kōdai-ji is one of Kyoto's more popular and 'trendy' temples, attracting visitors with a variety of events including seasonal night 'light-ups'. It's a lovely spot but you'll often find yourself jostling with hoards of other visitors who are lured by the temple's unique attractions.
This temple was founded in 1605 by Kita-no-Mandokoro in memory of her late husband, Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
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Konchi-In
This fine subtemple of Nanzen-ji has a wonderful garden designed by Kobori Enshū. If you seek a good example of the technique of shakkei, look no further. Located just southwest of the main precincts of Nanzen-ji.
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Konnichi-an library
The Konnichi-an library has more than 50,000 books (about 100 in English) plus videos on tea and its associated ceremonies, which can be viewed on site. Located in the Urasenke Chadō Research Center.
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Kōryū-Ji
A bit out of the way, Kōryū-ji is easily paired with nearby Myōshin-ji to form a half-day tour for those with an interest in Japanese Buddhism. It's notable mostly for its collection of Buddhist statuary and so a visit with a knowledgeable guide is a good way to learn about the different levels of beings in the Buddhist pantheon.
Kōryū-ji , one of the oldest temples in Japan, was founded in 622 to honour Prince Shōtoku, who was an enthusiastic promoter of Buddhism.
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Kōtō-In
On the far western edge of the Daitoku-ji complex (you may have to ask directions to find it), this sublime garden is one of the best in all Kyoto and it's worth a special trip. It's located within a fine bamboo grove that you traverse via a moss-lined path. Once inside there is a small stroll garden which leads to the centrepiece: a rectangle of moss and maple trees, backed by bamboo. Take some time on the veranda here to soak it all up.
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Kōzan-Ji
Hidden amid a grove of towering ceder trees, this temple is the least accessible of the three temples in Takao Area. It's famous for the chuju giga scroll in its collection, an ink brush depiction of frolicking animals that is considered by many to be the precursor of today's ubiquitous manga. The temple is reached by following the main road north from the Yamashiro Takao bus stop or, more conveniently, by getting off the JR bus at the Toga-no-O bus stop, which is right outside the temple.
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Kurama-Dera
Located high on a thickly wooded mountain, Kurama-dera is one of the few temples in modern Japan that still manages to retain an air of real spirituality. This is a magical place that gains a lot of its power from its brilliant natural setting.
The temple also has a fascinating history: in 770 the monk Gantei left Nara's Toshōdai-ji in search of a wilderness sanctuary in which to meditate.
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Kyoto Botanical Gardens
One of Kyoto's most underappreciated sights, this vast garden, opened in 1914, occupies 240,000 sq m and features 12,000 plants, flowers and trees. It is pleasant to stroll through the rose, cherry and herb gardens or view the rows of camphor trees and the large tropical greenhouse. Pack a picnic and bring a Frisbee or a ball to toss and you've got the makings of a very pleasant afternoon on a warm day in Kyoto.
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Kyoto City Zoo
Those with children might want to stop by the Kyoto City Zoo. The zoo is home to about 1000 animals and has some decent gardens and groves of cherry trees.
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Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Kyoto Imperial Palace is the heart of Kyoto, both spatially and metaphorically. It was built in 794 and has undergone numerous rebirths after destruction by fires. The present building, on a different site and smaller than the original, was constructed in 1855.
Ceremonies related to the enthronement of a new emperor and other state functions are still held here.
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Kyoto Imperial Palace Park
The Imperial Palace is surrounded by a spacious park with a welcome landscape of trees and open lawn - it's Kyoto's very own Central Park. It's perfect for picnics, strolls and just about any sport that doesn't require retrieving balls over walls. Best of all, it's free. Take some time to visit the pond at the park's southern end, with its gaping carp. The park is most beautiful in the plum- and cherry-blossom seasons (early March and early April, respectively).
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Kyoto International Manga Museum
This brand new museum has a collection of some 300,000 manga (Japanese comic books). Set in an atmospheric building that used to house an elementary school, the museum is the perfect introduction to the art of manga. While most of the manga and the displays are, naturally, in Japanese, the collection of translated works is growing.
