Uncover Kyoto’s extraordinary historical value with the help of our guides. From getting around the city, to what to do, where to eat and what to see, including the famous Arashiyama bamboo grove, the thousand red torii gates of the Fushimi Inari Shrine and side trips to Osaka, Nara or Himeji Castle.
The Ginkakuji Temple is also known as the Silver Pavillion, although, curiously, it is not coated in silver plating as one would expect from the name, although that was indeed the original intention of its designer.
A Rinzai Zen temple located in Kyoto, Ginkakuji is situated in the Higashiyama eastern mountains in the city’s Sakyo ward and also goes by the name Jishō-ji, which means the Temple of Shining Mercy.
The Philosopher’s walk, also known as Tetsugaku no Michi, is a pedestrian route located in the Northern Higashiyama district of Kyoto that stretches for around 2 kilometers along the Lake Biwa Canal among stunning natural scenery.
The path was named for Kyoto University professor and influential 20th-century Japanese philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who is said to have used the route for a daily meditative walk, and nowadays is well-known as a popular cherry blossom and autumn foliage viewing location.
The sakura cherry blossom season in Japan is on the bucket list of travelers the world over. For a few short weeks each spring, Japan’s cities and countryside are adorned with cloud-like white and pink flowers. Residents often hold hanami, parties or picnics for the purpose of observing the blossoms. You may even find yourself in the midst of a cherry blossom festival!
If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto during this remarkable time of year, you will find cherry blossoms in abundance. There are, however, a number of places that provide a truly stunning cherry blossom experience in Kyoto.
Nishiki Market, known in Japanese as Nishiki Ichiba, is a narrow shopping street in Kyoto. Often referred to as “Kyoto’s Kitchen” or “Kyoto’s Pantry,” this fresh food market is five blocks long and lined with over one hundred restaurants and shops. Some shops are tiny stalls, while others are enormous two-story buildings.
The market has a pleasant, busy atmosphere that will allow you to taste Japan’s culinary culture at its finest.
Kyoto is a city steeped in history. It is home to 17 of the 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites declared in Japan. Entering certain areas of this modern city is like stepping back in time.
Toji Temple is one of those sites. It is home to a the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan. Its name means “East Temple” in Japanese, and it was founded in 796. At one time there was also a “West Temple,” called Saiji, but today only its sister, Toji, remains.
In spring, the temple grounds are a favored spot for viewing cherry blossoms, including a huge, photo-worthy weeping cherry. Check out this travel guide to see all that Toji Temple has to offer.
The Kyoto Tower is one of Kyoto’s modern landmarks, standing in gleaming contrast to its ancient shrines and temples. Its red and white spire stands tall above the city. The tower was built in 1964 and is 131 meters in height, weighing 800 tons. It was one of Japan’s many feats that year, alongside the Tokyo Olympics and the inauguration of the Shinkansen bullet train.
