THE BEST THINGS TO DO KYOTO SIGHTSEEING

Kyoto (京都) is one of the must-visit places in Japan. There are lots of traditional shrines and temples.　Visitors are not enough to stay for a week to fully enjoy Kyoto. In this article, we picked up special recommendations from many tourist attractions.

Access Kyoto from Tokyo

Tokyo and Kyoto are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido Shinkansen. Nozomi trains require about 140 minutes to reach Kyoto from Tokyo, Hikari trains about 160 minutes and Kodama trains about four hours.

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Yasaka Shrine Hours? Price? Love? At night?

Yasaka shrine (八坂神社) is well known as a goddess of love helping you become beautiful or find love in a relationship. It is one of the famous shrines in the Gion area. The red outer wall is symbolic and vivid. During the Gion Festival (Kyoto’s biggest annual festival) throughout July, many events are held at the shrine. And Yasaka shrine is beautiful is light-up at night! Opening hours are 24 hours and entrance fee is free. (without a garden)

Chion-in Temple Hours? Entrance fee?

Chion-in Temple (知恩院) is a large and cool temple in Kyoto. The massive front gate is one of the largest of this kind in Japan. In the cherry blossom season is beautiful to contrast black and pink. In the autumn season, it is a light-up and special entrance at night. Usually, opening hours are 8:00~16:00 and the entrance fee is free. (without a garden)

Kinkaku-Ji Temple (The Golden Pavilion) Hours? Entrance fee? Closing time?

Kinkaku-Ji Temple (金閣寺) is one o the most popular buildings in Japan, attracting a lot of visitors annually. It is registered as a World Heritage Sites, Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Actually Kinkaku-Ji Temple was burned down in 1950 by 22 years old novice monk. This shocking happening was written “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion” by Yukio Mishima. Opening hours is 9:00~17:00 and the entrance fee is 400yen.

Ginkaku-Ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) Hours? Entrance fee?

Probably visitors can feel the most traditional Japanese atmosphere to compare other temples and shrines in Kyoto. Ginkaku-Ji Temple (銀閣寺) is neither flashy nor big. But all visitors should write a checklist of sights to see while in Kyoto. Opening hours are 8:30~17:00(March-November), 9:00~16:30(December-February) and the Entrance fee are 500 yen.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Hours? Senbon Torii?

Probably the Senbon Torii in Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) is the most well-known sightseeing spot in Japan. The Senbon Torii means that there are about a thousand Shinto Shrine’s gate. Opening hours is dawn to dusk and the entrance fee is free! Fushimi Inari Taisha is the most important shrine in Kyoto!

Kamogawa River

Kamogawa (鴨川) is the river while 23 km. There is a promenade along the Kamogawa. In addition, the cherry blossom tree cue are beautiful in the spring season. And Kamogawa is a famous spot to gather couples. Please come and sit with girlfriend or boyfriend and talk while watching the river.

Kyoto Station Night View

Kyoto Station is one of the biggest buildings in Kyoto. At night, Kyoto Station’s night view is beautiful. If you have a little time at Kyoto Station, please look to this landscape.

Kyoto bamboo forest

Bamboo forest (竹林の森) is located in Arasiyama mountain. The way is about 300 meters from Nomiya Shrine to Okawauchi Sanso. Every the middle of December, the bamboo forest is light-up in the “Kyoto-Arashiyama Hana-toro” event. The light-up bamboo forest is subtle and profound and mysterious.