Historic Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial palaces and palaces, and shrines are some of the unique sightseeing spots in Kyoto that you can visit on your trip to Kyoto.
1.Kiyomizu Temple (Gion, Higashiyama)
Kiyomizu Temple is a historic temple said to have been founded in 778 (9th year of the Hogoku era) and built in 798 (17th year of the Enryaku era). The main hall, known as the Kiyomizu-no-butai (stage of Kiyomizu), is the main attraction. It is designated as a national treasure, and the beauty of the scenery against the backdrop of cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall is a fascinating sight. The stage is 18 meters high from the cliff and offers a panoramic view of Kyoto City from the stage.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple also offers nighttime viewing three times a year in spring, summer, and fall. In spring, from early to mid-March and from late March to early April when the cherry blossoms are at their best, in summer around the time of the Bon Festival, and in autumn from mid-November to the end of November when the autumn leaves are at their best. The sight of the illuminated lights floating in the darkness of the night is fantastic.
2. Kinkakuji Temple (Imadegawa, Kitaoji, Kitano)
Although its official name is Rokuonji Temple, it is widely known by the nickname of Kinkakuji Temple. The Shariden, a hall with gold leaf inside and outside the building, is called Kinkakuji, and the entire temple, including the Shariden, is called Kinkaku-ji Temple.
The present Kinkakuji was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1950. In 1987, the gold leaf was replaced, and the beautifully shining Kinkakuji Temple was revealed.
The garden, which occupies more than half of the temple grounds, is designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and the reflection of Kinkakuji reflected in Kyokko Pond is well worth a visit.
3.Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (Fushimi)
This is the head shrine of the 30,000 Inari shrines in Japan and is said to be the most powerful power spot in Japan for increasing luck in money and success in life.
The name "Senbon-torii" is synonymous with Fushimi Inari-taisha, and although there are not actually a thousand torii in a row, the name was given to indicate the large number of them. In addition to the thousand torii gates, many other torii gates are dedicated to the shrine, and there are more than 10,000 torii gates of various sizes in the entire Fushimi Inari Taisha.
4.Togetsu Bridge (Arashiyama, Sagano, Uzumasa, Katsura)
This 155-meter-long bridge was built in the early Heian period (794-1185) as a passageway for temple visitors on the south side of the Katsura River. The name "Togetsu Bridge" is said to have come from a poem written by Emperor Kameyama during his boating trip in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), in which he recited, "It looks like a full moon crossing the bridge on a cloudless day. Arashiyama, Kameyama, and Mt. Ogura rise up behind the bridge, offering seasonal views.
During the "Arashiyama Hanatouro" held in December, the Wataratsuki Bridge, the foot of the mountains, and the waterfront are lit up! Visitors can enjoy the fantastic sight of Wataratsuki Bridge illuminated by lights, which is different from the beauty seen in the sunlight.
5. Bamboo Grove Road (Arashiyama, Sagano, Ohata, Katsura)
This is an elegant 200-meter pathway leading from Nomiya Shrine to Okochi Villa, lined with 5- to 10-meter-high bamboo trees.
During the "Arashiyama Hanatouro" held every year in early December, the path is lit up at night to create a fantastic atmosphere. It is also adjacent to the North Gate of Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage Site.
6. Ginkakuji Temple (Shimogamo, Kita Shirakawa, Heian Shrine)
The official name of this temple is Jishoji Temple. Originally built as Higashiyama-den, a villa of Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, Yoshimasa, who had a strong sense of beauty, spent his life pursuing the beauty of simplicity and simplicity of simplicity, and created the temple in its present form.
One of the highlights of the building is the Kannon-den, or Silver Pavilion. There was a theory that it was covered with silver leaf, but no such traces have been found.
The pond garden in front of the Ginkaku is a scenic spot designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and is said to have been modeled after the garden at Saiho-ji Temple (Koke-ji Temple).
7.Nijo Castle (Nijo, Karasuma, Kawaramachi)
Nijo Castle consists of the magnificent Ninomaru Goten (National Treasure) and Honmaru Goten (Honmaru Palace), which was moved from the former Katsura-no-Miya Palace. The Ninomaru Goten is a typical example of the samurai-style shoin-style building of the Edo period (1603-1867), and you can hear a squeaking sound as you walk down the corridors. This sound is called "Uguisu-bari," or "buzzing sound," to indicate when someone has snuck into the building.
The Ninomaru Palace contains more than 3,000 paintings, 1,016 of which are designated as National Important Cultural Properties (paintings). The three gardens, "Ninomaru Garden," "Honmaru Garden," and "Seiryuen Garden," which are also designated as national scenic spots, are also worth checking out.
8. Yasaka Shrine (Higashiyama/Gion)
Known as "Gion-san," this shrine is the site of the Gion Festival, one of the three major festivals in Japan, which takes place in July. It is the head shrine of all Yasaka shrines in Japan, and is especially famous for its blessings to ward off bad luck and bring good luck to couples.
The Nishiro-mon gate facing Higashioji-dori is lit up at night, and the lanterns hung around the main hall are also lit up.
9. Byodoin Temple (Uji, Nagaokakyo, Kizugawa)
Many people know that the Phoenix Hall, also a national treasure, is depicted on the 10-yen coin. But did you know that the phoenix (bird) of Byodoin is actually depicted on the 10,000 yen bill as well? The symmetrical red hall and the golden phoenix on the roof, which is also chosen for the design of money, are beautiful to see at least once.
Byodoin is also famous for the wisteria trellis near the Kannon Hall. The beautiful purple wisteria and the Phoenix Hall are popular as they can be photographed together.
