Must See Spots in Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Red torii gates and white foxes – the symbols of Fushimi Inari Shrine For more than 1,300 years, people have come to Fushimi Inari Shrine to wo...

Kinkakuji

Kinkaku glitters with gold Kinkaku is a three-story building made of wood. The first story is in the style of a Heian palace, the second story is in...

Kiyomizu-dera

Enjoy the National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties of Kiyomizu-dera Kiyomizu-dera was constructed on Mt. Kiyomizu (Mt. Otowa). The main t...

Ginkakuji (Higashiyama Jisho-ji)

The Appeal of the Ginkakuji Beyond the main gate of Ginkakuji, proceeding further inside is the Kannon-den, also called the Silver Pavilion. This has...

Gion

Experience Japan’s Traditional Arts in Gion If you say “Kyoto-esque,”many tourists probably imagine maiko and geisha. Even though t...

Arashiyama

A popular tourist spot Arashiyama is an area that includes Tougetsukyo Bridge which spans Katsura River and the mountain that soars up to command a v...

Tenryu-ji Temple

The beauty of a Japanese painting Founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, Arashiyama, Togetsukyo Bridge and Kameyama Park among other places were within...

Tofuku-ji Temple

Tofuku-ji, Kyoto’s leading group of temple buildings There are 5 famous temples in Kyoto which have been ranked as the Kyoto Gozan or the Five...

Yasaka Shrine

A venerable shrine for the Gion Festival Yasaka Shrine was established in 656, approximately 150 years before the transfer of the capital to Kyoto....

Sagano Railway (Torokko Trains)

The Sagano Scenic Railway running along the grand Hozu Gorge In 1989, the track had been abandoned due to the creation of a double line by the railw...

Philosopher’s Walk

Get a full appreciation of the rich natural beauty through the cherry blossoms of spring and the colors of autumn Philosopher’s Walk is a shor...

Shimogamo Shrine

A solemn holy ground evoking a long history The World Heritage site of Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo-mioya Shrine) is located in the triangular zone bracke...

Hozu River Cruise

The Hozu River Cruise, a tradition of 400 years From the old times, the waters of the Hozu River were used to transport goods downstream to the large...

Toji (Kyo-o-gokokuji)

Forever the landmark of Kyoto It is believed that Toji was built when Emperor Kanmu relocated to the ancient capital (the present day Kyoto, then ca...

Ohara

What is Ohara? Located in northeast Kyoto, Ohara is a quiet area with plenty of beautiful nature in a mountain valley. Since the temples and tourist...

Sanzen-in Temple

Sanzen-in’s association with the Imperial family When the monk Saicho built Enryaku-ji Temple in 788, the construction of a thatched hut undern...

Chion-in Temple

A temple that was developed with support from the Tokugawas Chion-in is the headquarters for the Jodo sect in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. In 1175, the...

Chikurin-no-Komichi

Aoi (Hollyhock) Festival

Kyoto’s oldest festival Alongside the Gion Festival and the Festival of the Ages, the Aoi Festival is one of the three main festivals in Kyoto...

Jidai Matsuri (Festival of Ages)

A festival that started as a revitalization project for Kyoto The Festival of Ages is one of Kyoto’s three great festivals which include the A...