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Overview
Kyōto (京都, Kyōto) (lit. “capital capital,” or “capital of capitals”),
which has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the
imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto
Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto
metropolitan area.
Kyōto (京都, Kyōto) (lit. “capital capital,” or “capital of capitals”),
which has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the
imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto
Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto
metropolitan area.
Get Around
The bus network is the only practical way of reaching many
attractions. Most city buses have a fixed fare of ¥220, but you
can also purchase a one day pass (¥500 for adults and 250
yen for children under 12) with which you can ride an unlimited
number of times within a one day period. The day passes can
be bought from the bus drivers or from the bus information
centre just outside the Kyoto Station. This is especially useful if
you plan on visiting many different points of interest within
Kyoto. You can also buy a combined unlimited train and bus
pass for ¥1200.
Unlike most Japanese buses, Kyoto's buses have
announcements and electronic signs in English. The municipal
The bus network is the only practical way of reaching many
attractions. Most city buses have a fixed fare of ¥220, but you
can also purchase a one day pass (¥500 for adults and 250
yen for children under 12) with which you can ride an unlimited
number of times within a one day period. The day passes can
be bought from the bus drivers or from the bus information
centre just outside the Kyoto Station. This is especially useful if
you plan on visiting many different points of interest within
Kyoto. You can also buy a combined unlimited train and bus
pass for ¥1200.
Unlike most Japanese buses, Kyoto's buses have
announcements and electronic signs in English. The municipal
transport company publishes a very useful leaflet called Bus Navi. It contains a
route map for the bus lines to most sights and fare information. You can pick it up
at the information center in front of the main station.
route map for the bus lines to most sights and fare information. You can pick it up
at the information center in front of the main station.
The City Split Up
The city can be split into 5 sections. When planing a trip to Kyoto it would be best
to plan to take at least 1 day to see each section that way you do not miss as
much.
Northern Kyoto
Daitokuji Temple (大徳寺). A small and understated temple complex, boasting
several small, secluded subtemples. Daitokuji is the quietest of the temples in
north-western Kyoto.
Kinkaku-ji Temple (金閣寺). The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, formally known as
Rokuonji (鹿苑寺) is the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto, and the crowds
that constantly surround it reflect this. The pavilion was originally built as a
retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 12th century, and
converted into a temple by his son. However, the pavilion was burnt down in 1950,
by a young monk who had become obsessed with it. The pavilion was rebuilt in
the Fifties to look even more garish than before - extending the gold leaf covering
it to the lower floor. Visitors follow a path through the moss garden surrounding
the pavilion, before emerging into a square crowded with gift shops.
Ryōan-ji Temple (竜安寺). Famous for its Zen garden, which is considered to be
one of the most notable examples of the "dry-landscape" style. Some say it is the
quintessence of Zen art, and perhaps the single greatest masterpiece of
Japanese culture.
Arashiyama 嵐山 (Western Kyoto)
The Arashiyama (嵐山) area to the west of the city is dismissed in most Western
guidebooks in a brief paragraph suggesting "other attractions". However, the area
is rightfully very popular with Japanese tourists, and is well worth a visit. To get
here, take the JR Sagano line from Kyoto station to Saga Arashiyama.
* The walk through a forest of bamboo to Nonomiya Shrine and Okochi Sanso (a
traditional house, previously occupied by a Japanese silent screen legend), is a
real highlight of a visit to Kyoto. No admission fee for the shrine, ¥1000 for Okochi
Sanso (price includes a cup of matcha (traditional Japanese tea, in the tea
garden).
* Feeding the macaque monkeys atop the mountain in Iwatayama Monkey Park, to
the south of the river, is worth the entrance fee (and the demanding climb!). ¥500
admission fee to enter the park.
* Just outside Saga Arashiyama station is the 19th Century Hall - a museum
covering the unlikely combination of steam locomotives and pianos. Probably best
to look at it from the outside, and listen to the amusing tinny music it blasts out.
Daitokuji Temple (大徳寺). A small and understated temple complex, boasting
several small, secluded subtemples. Daitokuji is the quietest of the temples in
north-western Kyoto.
Central Kyoto
Kyoto Station, will be the hub for your stay in Kyoto. From here you can go
anywhere in the area using the local bus system.
Kyoto Tower, just north of Kyoto Station. A sightseeing tower that provides good
views of Kyoto's urban sprawl.
Nijō Castle (二条城). Certainly one of the highlights of Kyoto. The series of ornately-
decorated reception rooms within the Ninomaru complex is particularly impressive,
and known for its "nightingale floors" - wooden flooring which makes bird-like
squeaking sounds when stepped on.
Pontocho (先斗町) is one of the traditional entertainment and nightlife district of
Kyoto. It is just a narrow street running between Sanjo-dori and Shijo-dori
Avenues, just west of the Kamo river.
Shijō Kawaramachi (四条河原町) is a vibrant, if somewhat touristy, part of central
Kyoto, Japan where Shijō and Kawaramachi Streets intersect. Kawaramachi-dōri
runs parallel to the Kamo River on the eastern side of Kyoto
Higashiyama 東山 (Eastern Kyoto)
Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺 Kiyomizudera). This temple complex, with a spectacular
location overlooking the city is a deservedly popular attraction in the city,
approached by either of two tourist-filled souvenir-shop-lined streets, Kiyomizu-
zaka or Chawan-zaka.
Yasaka Shrine, at the eastern end of Shijo-dori, 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.
Maruyama Park, is the main center 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). Main entrance to the park is through Yasaka Shrine.
Path Of Philosophy, is the name given to a 2km-long path through north-eastern
Kyoto, along which a philosophy professor, Kitaro Nishida, used to frequently
walk. It is a surprisingly pleasant and relaxing walk even today, though you will
undoubtedly share it with more tourists than Kitaro did.
Ginkakuji Temple (銀閣寺, the Silver Pavilion). At the northern end of the
Philosopher's Walk, approached along a street lined with shops selling tacky
souvenirs. Much like its golden counterpart, the Silver Pavilion is often choked
with tourists, shuffling past a scrupulously-maintained dry landscape Zen garden
and the surrounding moss garden, before viewing the Pavilion across a pond.
Chionin Temple (知恩院) is the headquarters of the Jodo-Shu (Pure Land Sect)
founded by Honen (1133-1212), who proclaimed that sentient beings are reborn
in Amida Buddha's Western Paradise (Pure Land) by calling gout nembutsu,
Amida Buddha's name. The vast compounds of Chion-in include the site where
Honen settled to disseminate his teachings and the site where he closed his life.
Kodai-ji Temple, Formally known as the Kodaijusho-zenji Temple, is located in the
Higashiyama mountains of Kyoto. It was established in 1605 by the noblewoman
Kita-no-Mandokoro in memory of her late husband.
Ryozen Kwanon - A Tribute to the Unknown Soldier Killed in WWII
Southern Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社 Fushimi-Inari-taisha). Another of Kyoto's often-
overlooked jewels, about twenty-minutes to the south of Kyoto. Dedicated to Inari,
the Shinto god of cereals.
The city can be split into 5 sections. When planing a trip to Kyoto it would be best
to plan to take at least 1 day to see each section that way you do not miss as
much.
Northern Kyoto
Daitokuji Temple (大徳寺). A small and understated temple complex, boasting
several small, secluded subtemples. Daitokuji is the quietest of the temples in
north-western Kyoto.
Kinkaku-ji Temple (金閣寺). The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, formally known as
Rokuonji (鹿苑寺) is the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto, and the crowds
that constantly surround it reflect this. The pavilion was originally built as a
retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 12th century, and
converted into a temple by his son. However, the pavilion was burnt down in 1950,
by a young monk who had become obsessed with it. The pavilion was rebuilt in
the Fifties to look even more garish than before - extending the gold leaf covering
it to the lower floor. Visitors follow a path through the moss garden surrounding
the pavilion, before emerging into a square crowded with gift shops.
Ryōan-ji Temple (竜安寺). Famous for its Zen garden, which is considered to be
one of the most notable examples of the "dry-landscape" style. Some say it is the
quintessence of Zen art, and perhaps the single greatest masterpiece of
Japanese culture.
Arashiyama 嵐山 (Western Kyoto)
The Arashiyama (嵐山) area to the west of the city is dismissed in most Western
guidebooks in a brief paragraph suggesting "other attractions". However, the area
is rightfully very popular with Japanese tourists, and is well worth a visit. To get
here, take the JR Sagano line from Kyoto station to Saga Arashiyama.
* The walk through a forest of bamboo to Nonomiya Shrine and Okochi Sanso (a
traditional house, previously occupied by a Japanese silent screen legend), is a
real highlight of a visit to Kyoto. No admission fee for the shrine, ¥1000 for Okochi
Sanso (price includes a cup of matcha (traditional Japanese tea, in the tea
garden).
* Feeding the macaque monkeys atop the mountain in Iwatayama Monkey Park, to
the south of the river, is worth the entrance fee (and the demanding climb!). ¥500
admission fee to enter the park.
* Just outside Saga Arashiyama station is the 19th Century Hall - a museum
covering the unlikely combination of steam locomotives and pianos. Probably best
to look at it from the outside, and listen to the amusing tinny music it blasts out.
Daitokuji Temple (大徳寺). A small and understated temple complex, boasting
several small, secluded subtemples. Daitokuji is the quietest of the temples in
north-western Kyoto.
Central Kyoto
Kyoto Station, will be the hub for your stay in Kyoto. From here you can go
anywhere in the area using the local bus system.
Kyoto Tower, just north of Kyoto Station. A sightseeing tower that provides good
views of Kyoto's urban sprawl.
Nijō Castle (二条城). Certainly one of the highlights of Kyoto. The series of ornately-
decorated reception rooms within the Ninomaru complex is particularly impressive,
and known for its "nightingale floors" - wooden flooring which makes bird-like
squeaking sounds when stepped on.
Pontocho (先斗町) is one of the traditional entertainment and nightlife district of
Kyoto. It is just a narrow street running between Sanjo-dori and Shijo-dori
Avenues, just west of the Kamo river.
Shijō Kawaramachi (四条河原町) is a vibrant, if somewhat touristy, part of central
Kyoto, Japan where Shijō and Kawaramachi Streets intersect. Kawaramachi-dōri
runs parallel to the Kamo River on the eastern side of Kyoto
Higashiyama 東山 (Eastern Kyoto)
Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺 Kiyomizudera). This temple complex, with a spectacular
location overlooking the city is a deservedly popular attraction in the city,
approached by either of two tourist-filled souvenir-shop-lined streets, Kiyomizu-
zaka or Chawan-zaka.
Yasaka Shrine, at the eastern end of Shijo-dori, 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.
Maruyama Park, is the main center 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). Main entrance to the park is through Yasaka Shrine.
Path Of Philosophy, is the name given to a 2km-long path through north-eastern
Kyoto, along which a philosophy professor, Kitaro Nishida, used to frequently
walk. It is a surprisingly pleasant and relaxing walk even today, though you will
undoubtedly share it with more tourists than Kitaro did.
Ginkakuji Temple (銀閣寺, the Silver Pavilion). At the northern end of the
Philosopher's Walk, approached along a street lined with shops selling tacky
souvenirs. Much like its golden counterpart, the Silver Pavilion is often choked
with tourists, shuffling past a scrupulously-maintained dry landscape Zen garden
and the surrounding moss garden, before viewing the Pavilion across a pond.
Chionin Temple (知恩院) is the headquarters of the Jodo-Shu (Pure Land Sect)
founded by Honen (1133-1212), who proclaimed that sentient beings are reborn
in Amida Buddha's Western Paradise (Pure Land) by calling gout nembutsu,
Amida Buddha's name. The vast compounds of Chion-in include the site where
Honen settled to disseminate his teachings and the site where he closed his life.
Kodai-ji Temple, Formally known as the Kodaijusho-zenji Temple, is located in the
Higashiyama mountains of Kyoto. It was established in 1605 by the noblewoman
Kita-no-Mandokoro in memory of her late husband.
Ryozen Kwanon - A Tribute to the Unknown Soldier Killed in WWII
Southern Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社 Fushimi-Inari-taisha). Another of Kyoto's often-
overlooked jewels, about twenty-minutes to the south of Kyoto. Dedicated to Inari,
the Shinto god of cereals.
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