Kyoto Things to Do

  • The Moss Garden (Koke-dera)
      The Moss Garden (Koke-dera)
    by shrimp56
  • The Moss Garden (Koke-dera)
      The Moss Garden (Koke-dera)
    by shrimp56
  • Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
      Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
    by Rabbityama

Most Viewed Things to Do in Kyoto

  • Gion (Geisha district), Kyoto

    1. Gion (Geisha district)

    It's not a long walk but it really holds a historical look. building looks new but in the old japanese style. Restaurants there are little above the average price wise. at the end of the road you will...   more
  • Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto

    2. Kiyomizu Temple

    Kiyomizu-dera Temple is perhaps the most beloved of Kyoto's temples and is a fixture in the minds of the Japanese people. The temple's veranda juts out of the side of a mountain supported by...   more
  • Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto

    3. Fushimi Inari Shrine

    Fushimi Inari Shrine is the most famous of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari across Japan. Inari is the Shinto god of rice, and foxes are thought to be his messengers. Therefore, many...   more
  • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Kyoto

    4. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

    So when someone has vision's of Japan you imagine 2 things ... first... the modern neon lights, crowded Japan and then the 2nd vision is the peaceful gardens with ancient temples ...... And the Golden...   more
  • Nijo Castle, Kyoto

    5. Nijo Castle

    Residence of the Shogun, this castle was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1601. The castle lacks the traditional keep of Japanese castles but contains a couple of palaces and large gardens in its expansive...   more
  • Arashiyama, Kyoto

    6. Arashiyama

    Now this was a great day escape from Kyoto. We took a nice ambling bus ride to Arashiyama, a little bit daunting when you don't really know where you are going, but stick with it and you will arrive....   more
  • Philosopher's Path, Kyoto

    7. Philosopher's Path

    The Philosopher's Walk is a pleasant stroll path that runs alongside a canal in the shadow of the eastern mountains between Ginkaku-ji Temple (the Silver Pavilion) and the Nyakuoji Bridge. It passes...   more
  • Kyoto Station, Kyoto

    8. Kyoto Station

    Not sure if this is a site that one must come to see but if you spend any time in Kyoto you'll eventually come thru here .... We got a huge introduction into this place as we came from Osaka during...   more
  • Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), Kyoto

    9. Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

    Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion) is the more common name for Jisho-ji Temple, a temple belonging to the Buddhist Shokoku School of the Rinzai Zen sect. Ginkaku-ji Temple (The Silver...   more
  • Kyoto Imperial Palace, Kyoto

    10. Kyoto Imperial Palace

    Kyoto Imperial Palace, which was the residence of the Imperial Family until the capital was moved to Tokyo in 1869, is located in Kyoto Gyoen Park. Within the Imperial Palace grounds, which are...   more
  • Heian Shrine, Kyoto

    11. Heian Shrine

    Heian Shrine is a big temple (colour is striking red) near the Kyoto Modern Art Museum and Kyoto National Art Museum. The whole environment at Heian Shrine was very zen, meaning, empty spaces are all...   more
  • Ryoanji Temple, Kyoto

    12. Ryoanji Temple

    It is Japan's most famous "hiraniwa" (flat garden void of hills or ponds) and reveals the stunning simplicity and harmony of the principles of Zen meditation. Ryoan-ji Temple is famous for its...   more
  • Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka, Kyoto

    13. Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka

    Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka are famous streets in Kyoto, because they have been preserved to keep the stone walkway and many of the buildings that allign them also remain traditional buildings....   more
  • Pontocho, Kyoto

    14. Pontocho

    Pontocho is a long, narrow alleyway lined with traditional buildings, mostly restaurants and teahouses. Pontocho is best experienced in the evening and at night after the sun has gone down. The...   more
  • Toji Temple, Kyoto

    15. Toji Temple

    Every month on the 21st Toji Temple hosts a huge flea market! The market is full of things from antiques to modern items and of course, many food options! As far as what you can buy, there is a wide...   more
  • Nanzenji Temple, Kyoto

    16. Nanzenji Temple

    Standing in the foothills of the eastern hills, Nanzen-ji Temple is one of Kyoto's most important temples. Its massive front gate drives this point home yet the structures and gardens on the grounds...   more
  • Food Specialties, Kyoto

    17. Food Specialties

    I have to say at first it didn't appeal to me, but as soon as I had one I was upset that I didn't have one before !!!! wow they are soooooo good !!!!! and they are sold everywhere ..... they usually...   more
  • Kyoto Tower, Kyoto

    18. Kyoto Tower

    ¥ 770 to observatory (at 100m). On a clear day you should be able to see almost all Kyoto from the top. The 131m structure itself, built to withstand strong wind and earthquake, shaped according to...   more
  • Nishiki Market, Kyoto

    19. Nishiki Market

    Shopkeepers at the Nishiki Food Market rise early to sell fish, meat, dried foods, side dishes, yuba (tofu skin), and Kyoto vegetables on the 400 meter path from Teramachi to Takakura. The market is...   more
  • Toei Movie Village, Kyoto

    20. Toei Movie Village

    A film-culture hall with a western-style, academic appearance is a genuine museum of Japanese cinema. Here you can review the careers of the great actors, actresses and directors of Japanese cinema,...   more
  • Sanjuusangen-do, Kyoto

    21. Sanjuusangen-do

    One of my favourite temples. It houses some 31 national treasures which are all statues of buddhist gods and goddesses. This is a Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) Temple. The statues are : 1 Kannon...   more
  • Nishi Honganji Temple, Kyoto

    22. Nishi Honganji Temple

    Nishi Honganji is the older of Kyoto's Honganji temples, built in 1591. It is also the head temple of the Honganji sect of the Jodo sect of Buddhism. The main draw of the temple is simply its size....   more
  • Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto

    23. Kyoto National Museum

    These rooms are my favorites. The paintings are huge. Some paintings were taken from walls of individual Japanese houses before. In these rooms, you see the Buddhist paintings, ink paintings, and...   more
  • Tenryuji Temple, Kyoto

    24. Tenryuji Temple

    Tenryuji Temple, i think a must see specially if you are near by. "Ranked among Kyoto's five great Zen temples, Tenryuji is the largest and most impressive temple in Arashiyama. Founded in 1339 at...   more
  • Higashi Honganji Temple, Kyoto

    25. Higashi Honganji Temple

    The Higashi Honganji complex is the head temple of the Otani-ha branch of the Jodo Shin denomination of Buddhism, which is popularly known as Ohigashi-san. This was built on donated land, which the...   more

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Kyoto Things to Do

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As the capital for much of Japan's history, Kyoto flourished for centuries with many important temples and shrines being built around the imperial city.

While many of the nation's great...

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Kyoto is a must see for every tourist in Japan!

 Kyoto is one of the most beautiful places I have been. So, if you are interested in going to Japan, you must consider going to Kyoto City. Plan to stay there for at least three days to be able to... 

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Cultural Capital Kyoto

 Kyoto became the nation's capital in 794, ushering in the Heian Period. The city was modeled after the Chinese capital Chang-an in a grid and called Heian-kyo. Toji Temple (East Temple) and Saiji... 

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WORLD OF ITS OWN (Kyoto,Nara,Osaka,Himeji & Kobe)

 I*T*I*N*E*R*A*R*Y DAY 1 Kyoto (Kiyomizu Dera Temple and Gion Area) DAY 2 Kyoto (Sanjusangendo Temple, Heian Shrine, Nanjenji, Ginkajuji Temple and Karawamachi Area) DAY 3 Kyoto (Kinkajuji Temple,... 

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Kyoto

 In July 2009 we visited Kyoto for few days and had wonderful time exploring this city and its major sites. To most sites you can just walk or take a short bus trip, join me in a city tour as I walk...... 

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KYOTO - THE HEART OF JAPAN

 In my opinion Kyoto is one of the most magnificent cities is the world - from what Ive seen so far! Its a beautiful vibrant city where modern life meets old traditional Japan. Twice I have been to... 

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