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Pontochō
There are few streets in Asia that rival this narrow pedestrian-only walkway for atmosphere. Not much to look at by day, the street comes alive by night, with wonderful lanterns, traditional wooden exteriors and elegant Kyotoites disappearing into the doorways of elite old restaurants and bars.
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Rakushisha
This building was the hut of Mukai Kyorai, the best-known disciple of illustrious haiku poet Bashō. Legend holds that Kyorai dubbed the house Rakushisha (literally 'House of the Fallen Persimmons') when waking one morning after a storm he found the persimmons he had planned to sell had fallen from the garden's trees and scattered on the ground.
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Reikan-Ji
Only open to the public in spring and autumn, Reikan-ji is one of Kyoto's great lesser-visited attractions. During the spring opening, you will find the grounds positively rioting with camellia. In autumn, the brilliant reds of the maples will dazzle the eye. The small collection of artworks in the main building is almost as good as the colours outside.
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Rokuharamitsu-Ji
An important Buddhist pilgrimage stop, this temple was founded in 963 by Kūya Shōnin, who carved an image of an 11-headed Kannon and installed it in the temple in the hope of stopping a plague that was ravaging Kyoto at the time.
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Ryōan-Ji
You've probably seen a picture of the rock garden here - it's one of the symbols of Kyoto and one of Japan's better-known sights. There is no doubt that it's a mesmerising and attractive sight, but it's hard to enjoy amid the mobs who come to check it off their 'must-see list'. An early-morning visit on a weekday is probably your best hope of seeing the garden under contemplative conditions.
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Ryōgen-In
Ryōgen-in is a fine subtemple in the Daitoku-ji complex. It's got two pleasing gardens, one moss and one karesansui. The karesansui has an interesting island in its midst that invites lazy contemplation. When you enter the Daitoku-ji complex via the east (main) gate, it's on the left, just before Obai-in.
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Saimyō-Ji
This fine little temple is another one of our favourite spots in Kyoto. See if you can find your way around to the small waterfall at the side of the temple. The grotto here is pure magic. Located about five minutes upstream from the base of the steps that lead to Jingo-ji temple.
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Sanjūsangen-Dō
The sheer number of Buddhist images at this temple make it among the more interesting and visually arresting sights in Kyoto. It makes a logical starting point to a full-day exploration of Southern Higashiyama.
The original temple, called Rengeō-in, was built in 1164 at the request of the retired emperor Go-shirakawa. After it burnt to the ground in 1249, a faithful copy was constructed in 1266.
The temple's name refers to the 33 sanjūsan (bays) between the pillars of this long, narrow building.
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Sanzen-In
Famed for its autumn foliage, hydrangea garden and stunning Buddha images, this temple is deservedly popular with foreign and domestic tourists alike.
Founded in 784 by the priest Saichō, Sanzen-in belongs to the Tendai school. Saichō, considered one of the great patriarchs of Buddhism in Japan, also founded Enryaku-ji.
The temple's garden, Yūsei-en, is one of the most photographed sights in Japan, and rightly so.
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Sentō Gosho
The Sentō Goshowas originally constructed in 1630 during the reign of Emperor Go-Mizunō as a residence for retired emperors. The palace was repeatedly destroyed by fire and reconstructed; it continued to serve its purpose until a final blaze in 1854, after which it was never rebuilt. Today only two structures, the Seika-tei and Yūshin-tei teahouses, remain. The magnificent gardens, laid out in 1630 by renowned landscape designer Kobori Enshū, are the main attraction.
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Shimogamo-Jinja
A long strip of forest sandwiched between the two rivers in the north of the city, Shimogamo-jinja is, like the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, a good place to go when you need some space and greenery. While it's not worth a special trip, it's a nice place for a stroll if you find yourself in this part of town.
Shimogamo-jinja dates from the 8th century and is a Unesco World Heritage site.
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Shisen-Dō
Most travellers to Kyoto don't venture beyond Ginkaku-ji when exploring the northern reaches of Higashiyama, but there are several other worthwhile temples in this part of town, including Shisen-dō and Manshu-in. These two temples make a nice combination and are usually ignored by the masses who descend on Kyoto's more popular temples. Note that it's too far to walk here from Ginkaku-ji; consider a taxi or the bus.
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Shōren-In
This temple is hard to miss, with its giant camphor trees growing just outside the walls. Fortunately, many tourists manage to do just that, leaving the lovely garden relatively quiet, even when nearby attractions are mobbed.
Shōren-in, commonly called Awata Palace after the road it faces, was originally the residence of the chief abbot of the Tendai school. Founded in 1150, the present building dates from 1895 and the main hall has sliding screens with paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries.
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Shōrin-In
This temple is worth a look, even if only through its admission gate, to admire the thatched-roof of the main hall. It's also a good option if you're trying to avoid crowds.
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Shōsei-En
This garden is a nice green island in a vast expanse of concrete. While it's not on par with many other gardens in Kyoto, it's worth a visit if you find yourself in need of something to do near the station, perhaps paired with a visit to the temple. The lovely grounds, incorporating the Kikoku-tei villa, were completed in 1657. Bring a picnic (and some bread to feed the carp) or just stroll around the beautiful Ingetsu-ike pond. Located about five minutes' walk east of Higashi Hongan-ji temple.
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Shūgaku-In Rikyū Imperial Villa
Lying at the foot of Hiei-zan, this superb villa was begun in the 1650s by Emperor Go-Mizunō, following his abdication; work was continued by his daughter Akeno-miya after his death in 1680. It was designed as a lavish summer retreat for the imperial family. The gardens here, with their views down over the city of Kyoto, are worth the trouble it takes to visit.
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Sumiya Pleasure House
Shimabara, a district northwest of Kyoto Station, was Kyoto's original pleasure quarters. At its peak during the Edo period (1600-1867) the area flourished, with more than 20 enormous ageya - magnificent banquet halls where artists, writers and statesmen gathered in a 'floating world' ambience of conversation, art and fornication. Geisha were often sent from their okiya (living quarters) to entertain patrons at these restaurant-cum-brothels.
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Taizō-In
This subtemple is in the southwestern corner of the grounds of Myōshin-ji. The karesansui garden depicting a waterfall and islands is well worth a visit.
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Takara-Ga-Ike-Kōen
This expansive park is an excellent place for a stroll or picnic in natural surroundings. Far from the throngs in the city centre, it is a popular place for bird-watching and has spacious gardens. There is a 1.8km loop around the main pond, where rowing boats can be hired.
In the northeast of the park, the Kyoto International Conference Hall is an unfortunate attempt at replicating Japan's traditional thatched-roof gasshō-zukuri style in concrete.
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Takiguchi-Dera
The history of this temple reads like the romance of Romeo and Juliet . Takiguchi-dera was founded by Heian-era nobleman Takiguchi Nyūdō, who entered the priesthood after being forbidden by his father to marry his peasant consort Yokobue. One day, Yokobue came to the temple with her flute to serenade Takiguchi, but was again refused by him; she wrote a farewell love sonnet on a stone (in her own blood) before throwing herself into the river to perish. The stone remains at the temple.
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Tenju-An
A subtemple of Nanzen-ji, Tenju-an is located on the south side of San-mon, the main gate of Nanzen-ji. Constructed in 1337, Tenju-an has a splendid garden and a great collection of carp in its pond.
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Tenryū-Ji
This fine temple has one of the most attractive stroll gardens in all of Kyoto, particularly during the spring cherry-blossom and autumns-foliage seasons. The main 14th-century Zen garden, with its backdrop of the Arashiyama mountains, is a good example of shakkei . Unfortunately, it's no secret that the garden here is world class, so it pays to visit early in the morning or on a weekday.
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Teradaya Museum
Famed as the inn of choice for rebel samurai Sakamoto Ryōma (1834-67), today Teradaya operates as a museum. Fans of Ryōma faithfully make the pilgrimage here to see the room where he slept.
You might have to ask a passer-by for directions, as the way is poorly marked. There is a sign out the front in English that reads: 'The site of the Teradaya Feud'.
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Tetsugaku-No-Michi (Path Of Philosophy)
The Tetsugaku-no-Michi is one of the most pleasant walks in all of Kyoto. Lined with a great variety of flowering plants, bushes and trees, it is a corridor of colour throughout most of the year. The path takes its name from one of its most famous strollers: 20th-century philosopher Nishida Kitarō, who is said to have meandered lost in thought along the path. Follow the traffic-free route along a canal lined with cherry trees that come into spectacular bloom in early April.
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Tō-Ji
One of the main sights south of Kyoto Station, Tō-ji is an appealing complex of halls and a fantastic pagoda that makes a fine backdrop for the monthly flea market held on the grounds.
This temple was established in 794 by imperial decree to protect the city. In 823 the emperor handed it over to Kūkai (known posthumously as Kōbō Daishi), the founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism. Many of the temple buildings were destroyed by fire or fighting during the 15th century.
