Related Kyoto Favorites Tips

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Favorite thing: In 1994, 17 sites were together designated UNESCO Heritage sites under the title "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto". This includes two sites in Uji (Byodoin Temple and Ujigami Shrine) and one in Otsu (Enryakuji Temple on Mount Hiei).

The 14 sites found in Kyoto are:
-Kiyomizu Temple
-Shimogamo Shrine
-Kamigamo Shrine
-Koke-dera
-Nishi Honganji Temple
-Toji Temple
-Kinkakuji Temple
-Ryoanji Temple
-Ninnaji Temple
-Kozanji Temple
-Nijo Castle
-Daigoji Temple
-Ginkakuji Temple
-Tenryuji Temple

Anyone feeling overwhelmed by the number of sites may want to start by looking up these sites. Most of them are very popular, although some are actually less often visited by foreign tourists, such as Kozanji Temple, Kamigamo Shrine, and Daigoji Temple, but these are each great sites! I personally felt that Nishi Honganji Temple was the least impressive, but everyone has their own opinions!

At the very least, you can be confident that the sites have historical significance and most date back hundreds of years.

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Favorite thing: You can spend a lot of money in Kyoto visiting all of the various temples, but there are also many great places you can go for free! Here are some tips for touring Kyoto on a budget!

Firstly, visit shrines! Temples usually charge money, while shrines are typically free. This is true throughout Japan, but Kyoto has many of the nation's most famous shrines! Fushimi Inari Shrine is always very popular. Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine both have a lot of history and are quite unique and beautiful. Kitano Tenmangu is beautiful when the plum blossoms are in bloom and Hirano Shrine is a great place to see the cherry blossoms. There are a lot of great shrines, but these are the most famous and popular.

Another good option is to visit the Imperial Palaces and Villas. In order to do that, you need a reservation however, it is completely free! You can apply online or stop by the imperial office on the morning of the day you wish to tour to see if there are openings. There are four: Kyoto Imperial Palace, Sento Palace, Shugakuin Imperial Villa, and Katsura Imperial Villa.

Some other places: In Higashiyama, Maruyama Park and many surrounding attractions are free! You can visit Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Pontocho, and Chion-in Temple (except the "seven wonders") for free! In Arashiyama, you can see the famous bamboo forest, Nonomiya Shrine, the Togetsukyo Bridge, and walk along the river for free, as well! Nishi Honganji and Higashi Honganji Temples are both free, and you can reach them on foot from Kyoto Station.

Kyoto is actually a great place to visit for a budget traveler. Most people will still want to see some temples, museums, etc. that do cost money, but knowing that there are equally great free options is a great way to save money and still have an amazing time!

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Favorite thing: Although the spring cherry blossoms are given much more attention, Kyoto is an excellent place to visit in the autumn; the leaves are gorgeous! The leaves often last from October through early December.

Generally speaking, any place that is good for cherry blossom viewing is also good for viewing the autumn leaves, because cherry trees are deciduous. But there are also other famous places in Kyoto for seeing the fall leaves.

The outer parts of the city are all great places, such as the Takao area in Northwestern Kyoto, Ohara area in Northeastern Kyoto, Arashiyama in Western Kyoto, and the Oharano area in Southwestern Kyoto. Kurama is technically not in Kyoto, but it is very convenient from Kyoto and very famous for autumn leaves.

Some other famous places are Tofukuji Temple, Kiyomizu Temple, Ryoanji Temple, Daigoji Temple, Daitokuji Temple, and the Philosopher's Path.

There are autumn light-up events in Arashiyama and at various temples in Higashiyama, like Kodaiji and Kiyomizu Temples.

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Favorite thing: Cherry blossom viewing has been an important part of Japanese culture for hundreds of years, so naturally, many visitors to Japan want to experience this part of Japan and Kyoto is arguably the most popular place for foreigners to go! When the blossoms bloom always depends on the weather, but generally they begin to bloom around late March/early April and last for two weeks. In Kyoto there are light-up events the first week of April for you to view blossoms at night in specific places (mainly Arashiyama and Higashiyama areas).

Some of the best places to see the blossoms are:
In Higashiyama (Eastern Kyoto): Kiyomizu Temple, Heian Shrine (one of my personal favorites), Philosopher's Path (historic pathway alligned with blossoms), Nanzenji Temple, Maruyama Park (famous single tree), Okazaki Canal area

In Central Kyoto: Toji Temple (one of my favorites), Nijo Castle, Kyoto Imperial Park (northern part of the park)

In Western Kyoto: Arashiyama (the hillside is covered with cherry trees)

In Southern Kyoto: Daigoji Temple (this is one of the official "top 100" spots, although foreigners don't usually come here), Shojoji (nicknamed "cherry blossom temple), Kajuji Temple

In Northern Kyoto: Ninnaji Temple, Ryoanji Temple, Hirano Shrine (one of the most famous places for locals but foreigners don't visit as much), Kyoto Botanical Garden

For cherry blossom viewing, don't be afraid to go to a lesser known area with blossoms. It may be much better than an overcrowded site!

Favorite thing: "There are approximately 48,000 Machiya within Kyoto, and most of them are more than 100 years old. However, much like many other traditional architecture throughout the world, Machiya are rapidly disappearing.

Every year, around 1,000 Machiya are demolished and replaced by new buildings due to maintenance being difficult and expensive, and their style considered outdated and old-fashioned in the minds of many. Unfortunately, reconstruction of Machiya is extremely difficult under the current Japanese building regulations, and as a result the traditional townscape of Kyoto is currently left on an inevitable path to extinction."

Favorite thing: Kyoto is probably the most wanted city in Japan for tourist especially compare to its size. It is fantastic city for the tourist as it is not too big or crowded and of course most important, it has lots of temples and sites for the tourist who want to experience and learn a bit about Japanese history, culture and tradition.

Favorite thing: There is beautiful river across the city in Kyoto, depends of course on the time of the season how much water will be flooding there but it is was nice place to get a bit away from the city crowed and traffic and to stroll peacefully by the river bank.

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Favorite thing: The best thing I could do in Tokyo was simply getting lost in its small streets around Gyon.
In particular I can reccommend the street that goes from Kiyomizu temple to Gyon, to take this street, once you are out of the temple walk untill you find Shichimiya spices shop, then turn right and go down.

Fondest memory: The street is definitly a fondest memory as it's the first chance I had to meet the old Kyoto, the best time of the day to enjoy this street is the sunset and after, when the lights start giving colours to the windows and to the old houses.