Best sights of Kyoto – city of 2000 shrines and temples

If you like temples and history, Kyoto is your place to go to for in this city you find over 2000 temples and shrines. For example, you will find Inari Shrine, one of the most pictured shrines in Japan which is lovely to stroll through with ist throusand orange gates. In addition, Kyoto houses Japan’s most beloved temple (Kiyomizudera) where you can stock up on good luck. But shrines arent the only sights of Kyoto, of course there is much more to see.

Here is a list to get some organization into the many sights of Kyoto

 

#1 Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha)

It is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, long before the capital’s move to Kyoto in 794. The hike to the summit of the mountain and back takes about 2-3 hours, however, you are free to walk just as far as you want before turning back. Along the way, there are multiple smaller shrines with stacks of miniature torii gates that were donated by visitors with smaller budgets. Walk through 1000 orange gates and count the fox statues which are the smart messengers of the Gods.

Watch a ceremony

At the bottom of the shrine, there is a stage where you sometimes can watch a Kagura ceremony and observe how pretty Japanese women play instruments, dance and serve tea. You could also pay something to receive a blessing by these women.

The walk through the orange gates

Behind the first plateau, the walk with the thousend orange gates starts. At the beginning, it’s incredibly crowded with tourists but it will get better, the further up you walk. It takes 30 to 40 min to reach a viewing plattform with blue benches and a few restaurants. You will also encounter a few restaurants along the way, which offer locally themed dishes such as Inari Sushi and Kitsune Udon (Fox Udon), both including pieces of aburaage (fried tofu), said to be a favorite food of foxes.

At the viewing platform, you can catch your breath and enjoy the view over Kyoto. If you decide to turn back now, you won’t miss much, as the trail doesn’t offer a lot of variety from here and the gates are further apart. If you decide to do the round course anyways, it will take you about 1 hour to get back to this point and you can enjoy some more views from the top.

Access

Fushimi Inari Shrine is located just outside JR Inari Station, the second station from Kyoto Station along the JR Nara Line (5 minutes, 140 yen one way from Kyoto Station, not served by rapid trains). The shrine can also be reached in a short walk from Fushimi Inari Station along the Keihan Main Line.

 

#2 Kiyomizudera (清水寺, literally “Pure Water Temple”)

This one of the most celebrated temples of Japan and one of the most famous sights of Kyoto. It was founded in 780 on the site of Otowa Waterfall. Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station by bus number 100 or 206 (15 minutes, 230 yen). Get off at Gojo-zaka or Kiyomizu-michi bus stop, from where it is a ten minute uphill walk to the temple. Alternatively, Kiyomizudera is about a 20 minute walk from Kiyomizu-Gojo Station along the Keihan Railway Line.

Otowa Waterfall

The source of good luck is located at the base of Kiyomizudera’s main hall. Its waters are divided into three separate streams, and visitors use cups attached to long poles to drink from them. Each stream’s water is said to have a different benefit, namely to cause longevity, success at school and a fortunate love life. Be careful, because drinking from all three streams is considered greedy. Unfortunately, nobody could explain to me which stream means what and everybody just drank out of one stream. In the end, they all are for good luck.

Stock up on good luck

Surrounding the temple, there are many more installations to collect some good luck or get rid of your worries. I had no idea that Japan was so superstitious! It was a lot of fun. All these little activities you can reach for free by walking up the path on the right, leading a bit away from the temple. If you walk up straight, you can fully experience the temple and will reach its main entrance.

The entrance fee for Kiyozumidera is 400 Yen and you should spend it if you want to get a short cut to the back of the temple, where Otowa waterfall and the other activities for good luck and love are located or if you are interested in this historical, religious temple and want to see it from the inside (to me, as a normal tourist, it wasn’t different to other temples, that were free and even prettier. However, it does offer a nice view from a small terrace. In addition, the temple’s outside was under construction when I was there).

 

#3 Higashiyama District

By the time you are back at the foot of the water temple you might be hungry. Luckily, you then can dive into the tourist food and souvenir street with a few historical buildings and explore Higashiyama district. Moreover, they are very generous with handing out free samples of traditional Japanese desserts and tea or coffee or spices. Meanwhile, if you need something more substantial, buy a seasoned cucumber on a stick.

The walk between Kiyomizudera and Yasaka Shrine is only about two kilometers long and could be done in half an hour, or you could easily spend half a day or more in the area, visiting the various temples, shrines, shops and cafes along the way. If you walk further via Nanzenji  you will eventually reach the Philosopher’s Path to Ginkakuji Temple. Furthermore, you can find many samll statues spread all over Higashiyama and if you rub them somewhere, you will also collect more good luck.

#4 The Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道, Tetsugaku no michi)

This is a nice stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The path follows the river which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees. Therefore, early April is the best time to walk the Philosopher’s Path. Then, the landscape will be a dream of pink and white.

 

#5 Tempel Byodo-in (Uji)

Have a look at this pretty temple which is imprinted on the back of the 10 Yen coin.

Address :16 Renge, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture (Get off at JR Uji Station or Keihan Uji Station). Opening hours: 8.30 am – 5.30 pm. Admission: 600 Yen.

 

#6 The Fushimi Sake District (伏見)

This is a charming, traditional sake brewing district along Horikawa River in southern Kyoto. The region is home to nearly 40 sake breweries thanks to the soft water that flows plentyful in from underground springs. Therefore Fushimi has become the leading sake brewing district along with Kobe’s Nada district.

Visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum (Opening Hours: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (last entry at 4 pm), 300 Yen). Gekkeikan is a leading sake brewer and one of the oldest family-owned companies in the world,founded in Fushimi in the early 1600s. Furthermore, the museum is well-done and shows the tools and procedures of sake production. The explanations are even in good English unlike in other museums. At the end of the self-guided tour a tasting is included.

 

#7 Shimogamo Shrine (下鴨神社, Shimogamo Jinja, “Lower Kamo Shrine”)

You can find it at the junction of the Takano and Kamo rivers. The shrine is surrounded by Tadasu no Mori, a forest which was kept in its natural state even during the modernization of the city. It contains trees that are up to 600 years old. Shimogamo Shrine is a 15 minute walk from Demachi-Yanagi Station on the Keihan Line. Alternatively, Kyoto City Bus number 4 towards Kamigamojinja-mae can be taken. Get off at Shimogamojinja-mae bus stop (5 minutes, 230 Yen) directly next to the shrine.

 

#8 Matcha Shops

In Kyoto you will see a lot of green due to all the Matcha specialty shops. Try a matcha cake, ice cream or a drink with matcha and buy some green souvenirs for the people at home. There are many shops opposite of Kyoto train station, near Kyoto Tower or in all the other busy shopping streets.

 

#9 Watch how candy is made

In the busy shopping archade near Gion there is a candy shop with a live show corner. During their candy showtimes you can watch how small, colorful bonbons are created. They even work smileys and well wishes into the candy. This is incredibly interesting. The best thing is that you get to taste a freshly made sweet.

Address: 〒605-0074 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto, 東山区祇園町南側573-5, Opening hours: 10 am to 8 pm

 

#10 Rent a Kimono

While sightseeing in Kyoto you will notice many Asian people who dress prettily as if it was their wedding day. They are walking around in wonderful kimonos. Apparently, it’s a thing to rent a Kimono in Kyoto. Afterward they go and take pictures dressed-up in front of all the sights of Kyoto. You can rent a Kimono for $30 to $40 per day.

 

#11 Gion (祇園)

Gion is Kyoto’s most famous geisha district. You find Gion area around Shijo Avenue between Yasaka Shrine in the east and Kamo River in the west. It is clustered with restaurants, tea houses (ochaya) and shops. In the tea houses you get the chance to see a geisha (geiko) or their apprentice (maiko) doing their magic. Meanwhile, a more touristy place to see how the Geishas entertain is the theater at Gion Corner (end of Hanami-koji street). You will see several traditional Japanese arts during the show and a reak maiko will perform some of them. Careful, the show always sells out quickly and should best be reserved in advance. Check out their webpage here.

#12 Where to eat in Kyoto?

We found that after 7 pm pretty much everything in Kyoto seems to be closed except the area around the train station. There, you find a whole variety of restaurants and bars, most of them offering dishes with meat. Even more choices you find on the top floor of the mall one street behind the bus station, next to HUB pub. We loved the all you can eat Shabu Shabu restaurant.

 

#Visit Nara, Kobe or Osaka

All these cities are close together and you can easily make a day trip to Nara, Kobe or Osaka from Kyoto.

What is your favorite point of interest in Kyoto?

Book your hostel in Kyoto here and receive a special price. We stayed in an airbnb one JR stop from Kyoto in Nishioji. This was fine and it made us feel like locals.