Location: Kyoto
Top Things to do in Kyoto
The 10 Best Nature & Parks in Kyoto, Kinki
The shrines and temples of Kyoto offer a rare link between modern life in the city and its very ancient past. The Shimogamo Shrine dates to the 6th century and seems suspended in time, its serenity and spiritual power still palpable. Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, then see the life-sized Thousand Armed Kannon statues of Sanjūsangen-dō. Enjoy traditional geisha performances, then savor a tranquil meal at a restaurant overlooking the Kamo River.
Restaurants in Kyoto
1. Nanzen-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,168 reviews
This Zen Buddhist temple was converted from a former residence of Emperor Kameyama upon his death. The beautiful grounds include several buildings, hiking trails and a classic Zen garden.
Reviewed By ChrisCastellarin - Duncan, Canada
WOW temple and grounds - you even get to climb up STEEP steps into the HUGE entrance gate (shoes off please!) - for a spectacular view of the whole complex. This is you final stop along the Philosopher's Path and there is a taxi stand here with taxis that will whisk you right back into downtown Kyoto, just 5 minutes away! How convenient!
2. Katsura Imperial Villa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 472 reviews
Application in advance is highly recommended. ------------------------------------------------------------------- This beautiful home belonged to members of the Katsura family, one of the Imperial families of Japan. The home displays some very traditional Japanese architecture and landscape design.
Reviewed By hrtraveler
Lovely garden; recommend taking the English language tour(there are several every day) and also recommend applying on line before visiting to make sure you get a place on the tour. Tour was informative, and the gardens are beautiful. Took city bus from Kyoto station, which supplied good information regarding the proper bus stop to exit. And the villa is a short walk from the bus stop.
3. Konchi-in
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 108 reviews
Reviewed By JameAndDare - Woodstock, Canada
We happened upon this temple walking back to the subway from Nanzen-ji and decided to stop because it cost only about 400¥ each to get in. It looked peaceful and something was drawing us here. You follow the path going around the shrine in a circle, starting at a pond with koi fish in it. The gardens all around here are beautiful and the path is clearly marked. Make sure to wear bug spray. We got bit a bunch of times as it was muggy and the vegetation was thick in here. You come to the main shrine and it seems to be very historic. The trees open up to a huge zen garden and we just took off our shoes and sat here enjoying the peace and quiet. There was one other small group of people here at the time who were very quiet and respectful, so we basically had the place to ourselves. We sat for a good 20 minutes.
4. Kyoto Gyoen National Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 283 reviews
Reviewed By DellaG_12 - Coquitlam, Canada
Once again a magnificent garden surrounds the Imperial Palace. Unfortunately we did not check in advance to see the procedure required to take a tour of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto and we were not able to view the palace grounds. Fortunately, the surrounding gardens were opened to the general public. As always, the imperial garden is an expansive garden space with attractive walkways, special shrines located away from main traffic areas and offers a quiet respite for prayers or private contemplation. It is beautiful in late autumn and the deciduous trees are at its best displaying their fall colors. Beautiful walks by the lake and small bridges to cross over. Such a wonderful reprieve from the major city area, just a lazy afternoon observing nature, couples and young children at play.
5. Shosei-en Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 240 reviews
This is the detached garden of Higashi Honganji, which was donated by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the 3rd shōgun, in 1641. It covers an area of about 33,000 square meters (8 acres) and was designed by Jōzan Ishikawa. The various structures in this garden were destroyed twice by fire in 1858 and 1864 and the present construction took place during the Meiji period. This garden is filled with many kinds of flowers throughout the year, and the colorful scenery is highly appreciated. Currently, Ingetsu-chi Pond in Shōsei-en Garden is undergoing renovation so we lower water levels in the pond from January 1, 2017 to March 25, 2017. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation. Shinsetsu-kyō (Snow-capped Bridge) in Shōsei-en Garden is undergoing renovation due to deterioration. The renovation period is March 1, 2017 to the end of October 2017. Please cross Kaitō-rō (Chinese corridor-style Bridge) to get to Shukuen-tei (Tea House). Please watch your step when you pass someone on the bridge. Also, currently we lower water levels in the pond, Ingetsu-chi due to the renovation. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
Reviewed By 373mauricew - Melbourne, Australia
We were early for our tea ceremony and decided to take a stroll in the adjacent streets and came across Shosei-en Gardens what an of peace and quiet the entry fee is 500¥ but it's worth it unfortunately I didn't have my DSLR camera and had to use my phones camera which was disappointing as there are so many photo opportunities in the gardens The time we were there there were only about 10 other people there and you have to keep reminding yourself that you're in the center of a city as it's so peaceful, thoroughly worth a visit when you in Kyoto
6. Mount Hiei
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
Reviewed By caryn105 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mount Hiei is the highlight of my recent Kyoto trip. My friend and I took the Eizan train at Demachiyanagi Station (Keihan line from Kyoto Station). It was a new train with an 'Oval' and aerodynamic body. We alighted at Yase-Hieizanguchi station. The easiest way to visit Mount Hiei from Yase Hieizanguchi Station is to take the Eizan Cable Car and Eizan Ropeway. You may consider hiking up the summit of Mount Hiei after alighting the cable car (we were too tired to hike up the Mount after 2 days of extensive walking at Arashiyama, Kinkakuji and Fushimi Inari). The Garden Museum was closed on our visiting day (it was scheduled to open on 15 April). We hiked all the way to Enryaku-ji temple, Konpon chu-do, Todo. It is a serene and not so touristy place. We were lucky to experience snow though it was just a split second moment. We took Sakamoto cable car to descend from Mount Hiei to Shiga.
7. Shugakuin Imperial Villa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 399 reviews
Created as an imperial summer retreat, the garden complex is a fine example of Japanese landscape design.
Reviewed By boabin - Seoul, South Korea
A lot of the reviews do agree that you can get access if you are already in Kyoto, sometimes they have free slots in other tours. This can be fine during low seasons but I think during the cherry blossom and fall it would be best to secure a ticket in advance, just in case. It is free, which is brilliant for anyone wanting to rein in their spending whilst visiting the city. The tour itself is in Japanese, you can pick up a free headset in English at reception to understand the grounds and villa. Each site is numbered, follow those numbers to listen to each track. The views are spectacular and worth seeing. There is a lot of culture artistically embedded throughout the buildings and garden. Truly a national wonder. Obviously the pond is the main highlight and most photographed but don't neglect to look carefully at the doors inside the buildings or the hidden waterfalls.
8. Shisendo Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
Reviewed By Eric_Greeney
The garden of Shisen-do is simply out of this world. I would rank it without hesitation to the top 5 of Kyoto gardens: not only has it an impeccable composition, it is also fundamentally different from the mainstream of karesansui gardens. This is not a rock garden you view from a wooden platform (well, you can do that, too), but a stroll garden you are welcome to walk around in (wearing blue slippers provided for this purpose). The garden design has a Chinese influence to it. The initial view from the temple resembles other zen gardens, but the field next to it is not raked gravel, but brushed sand. The stroll into the garden provides you a view after another, opening ever new perspectives to many parts of the garden, all harmonious and beautiful. In addition to the usual carps, this garden had magnificent butterflies and birds singing making it feel like a part of the surrounding nature. I visited in mid-October, when the Japanese maples had just got a hint of the first autumn color. One hour before the closing time I had the garden all to myself. I took my time, sat under the pergola, breathed in the peace floating all over the place and forgot about the world waiting outside - and took a ton of photos before I left. Shisen-do is a bit away from many more popular attractions, but absolutely worth the effort of getting there. You can take the Eizan electric railway and walk from Ichijoji station. The entrance is small and modest, easy to miss if you are looking for a big fancy gate. If you are in Kyoto for its gardens, this one is truly a must, rivalled only by Murin-an and Obai-in of Daitokuji. I can recommend my late visiting hour for extra serenity, but I have read the temple can also be busy when the season is right.
9. Monkey Park Iwatayama
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,631 reviews
Reviewed By Mauifolks - Pukalani, United States
Outstanding experience to hike in a beautiful setting and see monkeys in their natural habitat. Even the opportunity to feed them which was a lot of fun. Food provided was super cheap and staff very friendly.
10. Mt. Atago
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
Reviewed By matth707 - Waxhaw, United States
I hiked Atago in July of 2017 and several times in the 2000's. The basics are that you need to ride bus 72 from Kyoto station from 7-9AM. Ride the bus to it's final stop at Kiyotaki, and walk down the road. Eventually there will be a river and a slope with a Shinto shrine. That's the entrance. It is a 3-4 hour trudge up (with rest cottages on the way) and a 2-3 scamper down. Winter, late fall, and early spring are the best seasons to hike, because you can manage temperature by layering clothes. Summer is absolutely a sweaty beast. Bring a change of clothes. The fun part about Atago is the way down. After visiting the shrine, you can go back the way you came, but on the right hand side of the final stone steps to the shrine, there is a trail leading to either Getsurinji (temple, actually just a couple of old Buddhist statue carvers that live on the mountain) or transit over to Takao. The reason I recommend passing Getsurinji is that when you finally get off the mountain and down to the river, you'll see a big concrete slab and a right hand turn into a gorge. That's where Kuuya Falls is, and it is a beautiful waterfall. Also, on July 31st, there is a night hike festival where they light the path and people climb during the night and watch the sunrise from the top.
