Discover Japan's Hidden Gems
Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more
Amanohashidate
One of Japan's three most scenic views — a pine-covered sandbar spanning Miyazu Bay on the Sea of...
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Shrine of Ten Thousand Torii Gates
Thousands of vermilion torii gates wind up the forested slopes of Mount Inari, creating one of Ja...
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Wild Monkeys Above the Arashiyama Treetops
Climb the forested slopes of Iwatayama mountain to encounter over 120 wild Japanese macaques roam...
Kiyomizu-dera
Pure Water Temple
A hillside temple where a vast wooden stage, supported by 139 pillars without a single nail, offe...
Kyoto Tower
The First and Last Landmark Greeting Visitors to Kyoto
Standing 131 meters tall in front of Kyoto Station, this candlestick-shaped tower has been a city...
Okochi Sanso Garden
A Hilltop Garden with Panoramic Views of Kyoto and Arashiyama
The former villa garden of silent film actor Okochi Denjiro, perched on a hillside above the bamb...
Tenryu-ji
Arashiyama's World Heritage Zen Masterpiece
World Heritage Site, head temple of the Tenryu branch of Rinzai Zen. The Sogenchi garden uses the...
Togetsukyo Bridge
Wooden Bridge Over the Katsura River
Spanning the Katsura River for 155 meters, Togetsukyo Bridge has defined Arashiyama's landscape s...
Yasaka Shrine
Heart of Gion and Home of the Gion Matsuri
A Shinto shrine at the heart of Gion, center of the Gion Matsuri festival every July—one of Japan...
Arashiyama
Kyoto's Scenic Bamboo District
Kyoto's western escape, where towering bamboo groves, a graceful river bridge, and hillside templ...
Atago Shrine
A Mountaintop Fire God Shrine Reached by a Rewarding Hike
Perched atop 924-meter Mt. Atago, this ancient shrine dedicated to the fire deity has protected K...
Byodo-in
Byodo-in Temple
A UNESCO World Heritage temple famous for its Phoenix Hall, depicted on the Japanese 10-yen coin.
Chion-in
Monumental Head Temple of Pure Land Buddhism
The head temple of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, featuring Japan's largest temple gate at 24 meters ...
Daigo-ji
Hideyoshi's Cherry Blossom Temple on the Mountainside
A sprawling World Heritage Site famous for Toyotomi Hideyoshi's legendary 1598 cherry blossom vie...
Daikaku-ji
An Imperial Temple with Japan's Oldest Artificial Lake
A former imperial palace turned Shingon temple, famous for Osawa Pond — Japan's oldest artificial...
Daitoku-ji
Vast Zen Complex of Exquisite Rock Gardens
A vast Rinzai Zen temple complex in northern Kyoto with over 20 sub-temples, many featuring excep...
Eikan-do
The Temple of Autumn Leaves with a Looking-Back Buddha
Celebrated as the premier autumn foliage temple in Kyoto, housing a uniquely expressive Amida Bud...
Fushimi Sake District
Historic Sake Brewing Quarter with Canal Walks and Tasting Rooms
A historic sake brewing quarter in southern Kyoto where famous brands like Gekkeikan and Kizakura...
Ginkaku-ji
Silver Pavilion
A Zen temple famed for its elegant Silver Pavilion and meticulously raked sand garden reflecting ...
Gio-ji
A Tiny Moss-Carpeted Temple Steeped in Tragic Romance
A small thatched-roof temple blanketed in luminous green moss, linked to a tragic love story from...