Discover Japan's Hidden Gems

Explore temples, shrines, castles, parks, and more

Temple
Kyoto

Kinkaku-ji

Golden Pavilion Temple

Kyoto's golden icon, where a pavilion sheathed in real gold leaf floats above its mirror-still po...

Kyoto, Japan
Neighborhood
Kyoto

Gion

Kyoto's most famous geisha district with traditional wooden machiya townhouses and atmospheric te...

Kyoto, Japan
Market
Kyoto

Nishiki Market

Kyoto's Kitchen

A narrow five-block shopping street with over 100 shops and restaurants, known as 'Kyoto's Kitche...

Kyoto, Japan
Museum
Kyoto

Kyoto International Manga Museum

A Former School Housing 300,000 Manga Volumes

Housed in a former elementary school, this museum holds approximately 300,000 manga items. Visito...

Kyoto, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

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 ...

Kyoto, Japan
Restaurant
Kyoto

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen

Kyoto's Legendary Fire Ramen Experience

Prepare for dinner and a show at this legendary Kyoto ramen shop where your meal arrives in a tow...

Kyoto, Japan
Shrine
Kyoto

Shimogamo Shrine

Ancient World Heritage Shrine in a Primeval Forest

One of Kyoto's oldest shrines (UNESCO World Heritage), located within the Tadasu no Mori primeval...

Kyoto, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

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...

Kyoto, Japan
Shrine
Kyoto

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...

Kyoto, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

1,200 Whimsical Stone Buddhas Hidden in the Arashiyama Hills

At the far end of Arashiyama's tourist trail, this temple surprises visitors with over 1,200 whim...

Kyoto, Japan
Temple
Kyoto

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 ...

Kyoto, Japan
Attraction
Kyoto

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 ...

Kyoto, Japan
Attraction
Kyoto

Kifune

Mountain Village Famous for a Water Shrine and Riverside Dining

A scenic mountain village north of Kyoto famous for Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the water deity, ...

Kyoto, Japan
Neighborhood
Kyoto

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...

Kyoto, Japan
Castle
Kyoto

Nijo Castle

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

Kyoto, Japan