THE BEST Sights and Attractions in Kyoto

🏛️ Sights and Attractions in Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari Shrine — A Shinto shrine famous for thousands of vermillion torii gates winding up Mount Inari.
• Kinkaku-ji — The Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple whose top floors are covered in gold leaf.
• Kiyomizu-dera — A historic wooden temple with a stage overlooking and cherry blossoms.
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove — A serene path through towering bamboo stalks on the western.
• Nijo Castle — A shogun residence with nightingale floors and elaborate wall paintings.
• Gion District — The famous geisha quarter with wooden machiya, tea houses, and lantern-lit alleys.
• Nishiki Market — A long covered market with pickles, tofu, seafood, sweets, and street food.
• Ryoan-ji — A Zen temple famous for its rock garden of raked white gravel.
• Sagano Scenic Railway — A sightseeing train along the Hozu River gorge with seasonal views.
• Philosopher’s Path — A cherry-tree-lined canal walk between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji.
• Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion — Same as Kinkaku-ji, the gold-leaf-covered pavilion reflected in a pond.
• Ginkaku-ji — The Silver Pavilion, a Zen temple with a famous sand garden and moss garden.
• Fushimi Sake District — A historic sake-brewing district with canal-side warehouses and tasting rooms.
• Imperial Palace — The former residence of the Imperial family, with gardens open to the public.
• Heian Shrine — A large shrine with a red torii gate and gardens representing the Heian period.
• To-ji Temple — A Buddhist temple with a five-storey pagoda, the tallest wooden tower.
• Kurama-dera — A mountain temple in the north, the start of a popular hike to Kibune.
• Sanjusangen-do — A temple hall with 1,001 golden statues of Kannon.
• Yasaka Shrine — A colourful shrine at the edge of Gion, famous for the Gion Matsuri.
• Ninen-zaka — A preserved stone-paved street with traditional shops and teahouses near Kiyomizu-dera.