Kyoto Prefecture's Absolute Essentials

Kyoto Prefecture preserves Japan’s imperial past through a dense concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This selection spans from the gold-covered Kinkaku-ji and the hillside Kiyomizu-dera to the 17th-century Nijō Castle. It highlights spiritual landmarks like Fushimi Inari-taisha’s mountain trails and the Zen rock gardens of Ryōan-ji. Cultural immersion continues in the preserved wooden architecture of Ninenzaka and the geisha districts of Pontochō, while the futuristic Kyoto Station and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove showcase the region's diverse architectural and natural landscapes.

Kyoto Prefecture's Absolute Essentials — Harita

A

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion Temple)

Zen Buddhist temple featuring a gold-leaf-covered pavilion and historic gardens. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and architectural significance.

Jakub Hałun / GFDL

B

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Shinto shrine with a history of over 1300 years, renowned for thousands of vermilion torii gates leading up a sacred mountain. It serves as the head shrine of Inari worship and features traditional Japanese architecture.

Jordy Meow / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Historic Buddhist temple known for its large wooden stage and scenic views, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Casey Yee / CC BY-SA 2.0

D

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Natural bamboo forest featuring scenic pathways and lush mōsō bamboo. The grove is situated near historic temples and shrines.

BriYYZ / CC BY-SA 2.0

E

Former Imperial Villa Nijō Castle

Built in 1603, this castle belongs to one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World…

Oilstreet / CC BY 2.5

F

Ginkakuji Temple

A Zen temple from the 15th century AD. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens, with famous decorative sand patterns, trees, and ponds, said…

Wolfiewolf from / CC BY 2.0

G

Pontochō

Ponto-chō is a Hanamachi district, which literally translates as "flower town." This name is a Japanese way of saying that there are geisha…

Kanchi1979 / CC BY-SA 4.0

H

Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine is one of the Kanpei-taisha, which means that it is highly supported by the government. Its history dates back to 656.

松岡明芳 / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Kyoto Station

The Kyoto Station, a huge, 11-storey railway station for normal and bullet trains located in the heart of Kyoto, is the second largest…

Aporon999 / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka Neigbourhood

Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka are one of Kyoto's most preserved neighbourhoods.

663highland / CC BY 2.5

K

Tenryu-ji Temple

Tenryū-ji, formally known as Tenryū Shiseizen-ji, is the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, located in…

Nekosuki / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Ryōan-ji

Ryōan-ji is a Zen temple located in northwest Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Myōshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism.