Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Kiyomizu-dera

Pure Water Temple

A hillside temple where a vast wooden stage, supported by 139 pillars without a single nail, offe...

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...

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...

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

1,200 Whimsical Stone Buddhas Hidden in the Arashiyama Hills

A hillside temple at the far end of Arashiyama covered in 1,200 stone rakan carved by ordinary vi...

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 ...

Eikan-do

The Temple of Autumn Leaves with a Looking-Back Buddha

A Higashiyama temple known as Momiji no Eikan-do for its roughly 3,000 maples, with an Amida Budd...

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...

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 Japa...

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...

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 ...

Nijo Castle

UNESCO World Heritage flatland castle. The floors squeak when you walk, designed as a security al...

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...

Heian Shrine

Meiji-Era Shrine with Large Torii and Strolling Garden

A striking Meiji-era shrine featuring one of Japan's largest vermilion torii gates and a celebrat...

Kimono Forest

An Art Installation of 600 Illuminated Kimono Pillars

600 pillars wrapped in Kyo-Yuzen fabric at Randen Arashiyama Station. Glows at night. Free, open ...

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...