Kyoto Attractions

The shrine with thousands of torri gates 

Fushimi Inari Taisha, or Fushimi Inari Shrine, dates back to the 8th century. It enshrines Inari, the most worshipped Shinto deity of rice and commerce. The image of the shrine is always associated the iconic vermillion Senbon Torii, or thousands of torri gates, that cover a trail all the way from the base of Mount Inari to its top. 

A temple with main hall erected without a single nail 

UNESCO-preserved, Kiyomizu-dera Temple (Pure Water Temple) has been 1,200 years old. The main hall, dedicated to the Buddhist goddess of mercy and with a famous terrace to look over the compound and Kyoto’s cityscape, was engineered without using a nail. People also flock here to pray by drinking “pure” water from its Otowa Waterfall, which the temple was derived from.

Ancient streets with "no" power poles and wires 

Built in the 9th century, Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka are the sloping approach to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. With poles and wires hidden, they enjoy an ancient vibe that doesn’t belong to the modern world. Traditional wooden buildings on either side have changed to shops, cafes, and inns.

Holds Japan’s most celebrated Gion Festival 

Yasaka Shrine, fondly called Gion Shrine, is the birthplace of Gion Festival, the grandest in Japan that lasts for an entire month of July to purge Kyoto of mischievous spirits. Besides the evil-feared sea of god, the Shrine also enshrines goddesses of beauty, explaining why it’s loved by girls.

No.1 place to experience Geisha culture

The district before Yasaka Shrine is called Gion, where Geisha culture originated centuries ago. The spotting of Geisha, female artists serving high-class social gatherings, is the most popular activity here. Flanking Gion streets, traditional buildings and some 300-year-old ochaya tea houses will take you to Japan’s Edo era. 

Kitchen of Kyoto, offering free food samples

Visit other places to learn Japan’s history and Nishiki Market to eat - simple as that. Life and offerings here have made this street known across Japan. Starting as a fish wholesale market, it’s now retailing various traditional snacks, with many shops providing free samples.

Represents supreme Edo-era military power 

Nijo Castle was the imperially grand base of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Kyoto, the supreme Edo-era military power over Japanese emperors. Apart from the architecture, here you can also appreciate originals of ancient telltale artworks indicating Tokugawa’s prestige.

Temple of the Golden Pavilion 

Kinkaku-ji Temple is a UNESCO-preserved Zen temple sheltering Golden Pavilion, which draws people from beyond Japan with its gold leaf and a curious blend of different architectural styles. Together with the glassy pond, which reflects its poise, the Pavilion is definitely an iconic sight of Kyoto.