Kyoto

Kyoto Imperial Palace

京都御所 Kyōto-gosho

The palace is a reconstruction (dating from 1855), though the Emperor doesn't spend much time there, and the guided tour doesn't enter the palace buildings, only peeking at them from the outside, but nevertheless, it provides interesting insight into the lives of the Imperial Court and it's the only Imperial site in Kyoto that offers English guides. Show up an hour before the tour at the Imperial Household Agency building (west of Kyoto Imperial Palace), and they'll let you join if there's space, or make a booking for another day if there isn't. If you don't want to chance it, advance bookings can also be made online through the Imperial Household Agency's official website.

English tours Mon-Fri at 10:00 and 14:00 (by appointment only) · Free · Built 1337

Kamigamo Shrine

Collectively, Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine are known as the Kamo Shrines, and they were highly favored by the Imperial Court during the Heian Period. The shrine is most famous for the tatesuna, the two large sand cones. Their origins and original purpose are unknown, but it has been speculated that they represent nearby mountains. Kamigamo Shrine is one of Kyoto's World Heritage Sites.

Mo-Su 08:30-17:00 · Free · Free entry · Heritage listed

Shimogamo Shrine

It was built prior to Kyoto becoming Japan's capital. Shimogamo is one of the first shrines built in Kyoto. Together with Kamigamo Shrine, they are known as the Kamo Shrines. These shrines were one of the most revered shrines by the Imperial Court, who made often made offerings here. The forest surrounding the shrine, known as Tadasu no Mori, is believed to be a natural forest, and legend has it that the secrets of those who enter the forest will be revealed. Shimogamo is also a great place to experience Japanese festivals, as many special events are held here, including the Aoi Matsuri, one of Kyoto's top three festivals.

Mo-Su 05:30-18:00 · Free · Free entry · Heritage listed

Kyoto Tower

京都タワー Kyōto-tawā

A source of bitterness of locals due to its futuristic feel, which counteracts the historic feel the city is known for, the Kyoto Tower is an overpriced viewing tower where you can observe Kyoto's urban sprawl at its finest. There is also a hotel and banquet hall at the tower.

Daily 09:00-20:30 · Free to visit lobby & hotel, charge for going to the top: adults: ¥770; students: ¥620; teens: ¥520; children: ¥150

Maruyama Park

円山公園 Maruyama Kōen

One of the most popular spot for cherry blossom viewing in Kyoto, and can get extremely crowded at that time of year. The park's star attraction is a weeping cherry tree (shidarezakura), which offers an ethereal vision lit up in the night. Outside of the season, a nice spot to rest yourself during travelling around the Higashiyama area. Main entrance to the park is through Yasaka Shrine.

Admission is free

Shinsen-en Garden

神泉苑

Although cherry blossom-viewing and festivals can be seen all over Japan today, Shinsen-en Garden is where the very first organized cherry blossom viewing festival took place.

Daily 09:00-22:00 · Free

Shūgakuin Imperial Villa

修学院離宮, Shūgakuin Rikyū

A beautiful villa commissioned by Emperor Gomizuno-o in 1655 and completed four years later. The area is separated into three separate villas. In the lower villa, you'll find a lovely garden with a stream running through it and the Jugetsukan, where the emperor relaxed before making his way to the upper villa. The middle villa is home to the Rakushi-ken, princess Akinomiya's home, and the Kyaku-den, which was also given to Akinomiya when the consort that it was built for died prior to its completion. These buildings contain some particularly beautiful artwork, and an interesting flat pine tree. After seeing all of that, you will finally be escorted to the upper villa. Upon entering the villa, you will ascend the stairs to discover a gorgeous view of the garden and Yokuryū Pond. The tour ends with a stroll along the outer edges of a pond, past a waterfall and the bridges. Princess Diana was once a guest here, a fact the tour guides love to share with visitors. The best time to visit is said to be the autumn when the leaves are changing. If you plan to visit, make your reservation 3 months in advance for the best chances. One-hour tours (in Japanese) start at 09:00, 10,00, 11:00, 13:30, 15;00.

Free

Fushimi Inari Taisha

伏見稲荷大社

Another of Kyoto's jewels, located just south of Higashiyama in the Fushimi area. Dedicated to Inari, the Japanese fox goddess, Fushimi-Inari-taisha is the head shrine (taisha) for 40,000 Inari shrines across Japan. Stretching 230 meters up the hill behind it are hundreds of bright red torii (gates). A visitor could easily spend several hours walking up the hillside, taking in the beautiful views of the city of Kyoto and walking through the torii, which appear luminescent in the late afternoon sun. Countless stone foxes, also referred to as Inari, are also dotted along the path. Watch your fingers as you go - the fox spirits are said to be able to possess people by slipping through their fingernails.

No opening or closing times are listed, but if you arrive before 08:00 you'll beat most of the crowds · Admission is free · Heritage listed

Imamiya Shrine

今宮神社, Imamiya-jinja

Although the current structure dates back to 1902, the original was built during the Heian Period. At the time, the city was being plagued by illness and disease, so Imamiya Shrine was built to appease the gods. Even today, many visitors come to pray for good health and to ward off illness.

Free

Higashi Honganji

東本願寺 Higashi Honganji; Eastern Temple of the Original Vow

Higashi Honganji was established in 1602 by the Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu when he split the Shin sect in two (Nishi Honganji being the other) in order to diminish its power. Today it is the headquarters of the Ōtani branch of Jōdo Shin-shū. The Founder’s Hall (Goei-dō) is said to be the second-largest wooden structure in Japan. With a capacity for 5,000 people, it's majestic. Check out the massive coil of hair rope, donated by a group of female devotees and used to haul the massive timbers for the reconstruction of the temple in the 1880s.

Mar–Oct 05:50-17:30; Nov–Feb 06:20-16:30 · Free

Nishi Honganji

西本願寺; “Western Temple of the Original Vow”

One of many World Heritage Sites in Kyoto, Nishi Honganji is one of two temple complexes of the Buddhist sect, Jōdo Shinshū (the other being Higashi Honganji). It was founded in 1602, and has gates dating back to 1573.

Sep Oct Mar Apr 05:30–17:30; May-Aug 05:30–18:00; Nov-Feb 06:00–17:00 · Free

Oharano Shrine

大原野神社 Ōharano jinja

The shrine is believed to have been moved to Nagaokakyo at the bidding of Empress Kammu, who made it the shrine of the Fujiwara family's guardian god. The Imperial Court made annual offerings at this shrine. The pond within the shrine precincts was once a popular place for writing poetry. The Sengan-zakura tree in the precincts is nicknamed "phantom cherry blossom", because it only blooms for just 2-3 days. Some say if you see it in bloom, it will bring you good luck. Because the area is removed from the inner city, the shrine is quite peaceful; it is not unusual to have the entire place to yourself.

Always open · Free

Shōseien Garden

渉成園; Kikoku-tei; Karatachi tei

Shosei-en Garden was commissioned by Prince Minamoto no Tōru. He designed the Ingetsu Pond to resemble the Shiogama Coast in Miyagi Prefecture. During the Tokugawa Period the garden was given to Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, restoring the old sections and adding on to the garden. It's a stroll garden with buildings dating back to the 19th century.

Daily 09:00-16:00 (last entry 15:30) · Free

Yasaka Shrine

八坂神社

At the eastern end of Shijō-dōri, at the edge of Gion, is the shrine responsible for Kyoto's main festival - the Gion Matsuri, which takes place in July. The shrine is small in comparison with many in Kyoto, but it boasts an impressive display of lanterns.

Always open · Admission is free

Yoshida Shrine

吉田神社

Most famous as the site of the Setsubun Festival held in February, this small shrine was very highly revered during the Heian Period, and the court made offerings here.

All day · Free

Kyoto Station

京都駅

Even if you are not travelling by train, it is worth spending an hour or so wandering around the station, which is an outstanding example of modern architecture. The station, with its futurist architecture designed by Hiroshi Hara, opened in 1997 to commemorate Kyoto's 1,200th anniversary. There are two tourist information centers in the building on the 2nd and 9th floors. Take one of the many escalators or stairs to the top, where you will find a rooftop garden with views over the city, and if you have a head for heights, walk across the skywalk on the 11th floor. Actually the views from the levels in between might be better than the rooftop view through shaded glass.

Free

Nishi-Hongan-ji

Nishi Hongan-ji (西本願寺) is a Buddhist temple in Shimogyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan. It serves as the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha subsect. It is one of two Jōdo Shinshū temple complexes in Kyoto, the other being Higashi Hongan-ji, which is the head temple of the Ōtani-ha subsect.

Mo-Su 05:30-17:00 · Free entry · Built 1591 · Heritage listed

Nyakuoji Shrine

若王子神社 Nyakuōji-jinja; 熊野若王子神社 Kumano Nyakuōji-jinja

Established in 1160, a nice shrine to visit in the autumn when the leaves are changing. It's a worthwhile stop for those travelling along the Philosopher's Path, but probably not worth making the trip just to see this shrine.

Free

Bamboo Forest

This is the reason why most people head into this area, all taking the same looking pictures. You should visit when the sun is at its highest point, because the forest is quite dark and will only let in a few sun rays — don't wait until the afternoon. Note, the bamboo forest is free, but you might get the impression that you have to cross through the Tenryū-ji temple and gardens to reach it, don't or it will cost you ¥500. Just take the walkway route just south of the railway tracks, which begins at the upper end of the main road leading north from the Randen tram terminal.

Free

Saimyōji Temple

西明寺

A former sub-temple of Jingoji. While it is not worth making a special trip to see this temple, those touring the Takao area might as well visit, as it is located on the path connecting Jingo-ji to Kōzan-ji. The bridge leading to the temple and the lanterns outside the entrance are quite nice.

Free

Hirano Shrine

平野神社

A small shrine, which is an especially popular destination during the cherry blossom season, setting up amusement and food stalls. A small park of cherry trees next to the shrine is hung with lanterns and drawings by local schoolchildren.

Daily 06:00-17:00 · Free

Shugaku-in Imperial Villa

The Shugaku-in Imperial Villa (修学院離宮, Shugaku-in Rikyū), or Shugaku-in Detached Palace, is a set of gardens and outbuildings (mostly teahouses) in the hills of the eastern suburbs of Kyoto, Japan (separate from the Kyoto Imperial Palace). It is one of Japan's most important large-scale cultural treasures; its gardens are one of the great masterpieces of Japanese gardening. Although styled as a "detached palace", often translated as "imperial villa", there were never any large-scale buildings there, as there are at the Katsura Imperial Villa.

Free entry · Built 1659

Karahashi Saiji Park

Sai-ji (西寺, Sai-ji) or the West Temple was a Buddhist temple located in the Karahashi neighborhood of the Minami ward of the city of Kyoto, Japan. The temple no longer exists, and its ruins were designated a National Historic Site in 1921, with the area under protection expanded in 1966.

Free entry · Built 1926

Kyoto art center

The Kyoto Art Center (京都芸術センター, Kyōto Geijutsu Sentā) is a venue for promoting the arts which is located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. The center, a three-story reinforced-concrete building, occupies the site of the former Meirin Elementary School (founded by the people of Kyoto during the Meiji era). It has a studio, gallery, auditorium, Japanese-style hall, free space, library, an information corner, Japanese-style tea room, the Maeda Coffee Meirin coffee shop, a common room and shops.

Tu-Sa 10:00-18:00 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Umekōji Park

下京区

24/7 · Free entry

Kimono Forest

20-2 Sagatenryuji Tsukurimichicho

24/7 · Free entry

Ikebana Museum

中京区

Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00; Sa-Su off; PH off · Free entry

KYOTO MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY Gallery Japanesque

374-2 堀池町

Free entry

Studios Ghibli shop

Mo-Su 10:00-17:00 · Free entry

京都市立考古資料館

Free entry