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...
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...
Sagano Bamboo Grove
Tall bamboo stalks forming a corridor in Arashiyama. Very Instagrammed. Go at dawn or it's a queu...
Ninna-ji
Imperial Palace Temple with Late-Blooming Cherry Blossoms
A World Heritage Site and former imperial palace temple, famed for its late-blooming Omuro cherry...
Saihoji (Kokedera)
The Moss Temple Requiring Advance Reservation
A World Heritage Zen temple blanketed in over 120 varieties of moss, creating an ethereal green l...
Keage Incline
Historic Railway Tracks Lined with Cherry Blossoms
An abandoned 582-meter railway incline from 1891, once used to transport boats between canal leve...
Nonomiya Shrine
A Small Shrine in the Bamboo Grove Linked to The Tale of Genji
Small shrine at the bamboo grove entrance. Featured in The Tale of Genji. The black torii (bark-c...
Kyoto
Japan's Ancient Capital
Japan's cultural heart and ancient capital for over a millennium, home to 17 UNESCO World Heritag...
Sagano Scenic Railway
A Scenic Open-Air Train Ride Through the Hozukyo Gorge
A 25-minute open-air sightseeing train running along the Hozu River gorge between Saga and Kameok...
Katsura Imperial Villa
Japan's Finest Traditional Garden and Architectural Masterpiece
Widely regarded as Japan's supreme example of traditional garden design and architecture, built i...
Hozugawa River Boat Ride
A Thrilling River Boat Ride Through a Scenic Mountain Gorge
A two-hour wooden boat ride down the Hozu River from Kameoka to Arashiyama, navigating gentle rap...
Kennin-ji
Kyoto's Oldest Zen Temple in the Heart of Gion
Kyoto's oldest Zen temple. Founded 1202 by Eisai, who brought Zen and tea to Japan. Twin Dragons ...
Philosopher's Path
A serene canal-side walking path in Kyoto lined with cherry trees, connecting Ginkaku-ji and Nanz...
Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Former Imperial Residence in a Spacious National Garden
The former residence of Japan's Imperial family for over 500 years until 1869, set within the exp...
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...