Location: Southern Kyoto
Top Things to do in Southern Kyoto
Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Southern 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. Daigo-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 644 reviews
This temple complex includes several buildings and an expansive Japanese garden. One of the oldest structures in Kyoto is a five-story pagoda that can be found on the temple grounds.
Reviewed By Greengrove - Tokyo, Japan
Here is a large temple of Shingon sect with superb gardens and architecture. The interior of the Sambo-in has fantastic painted screens and a wonderful garden. There were few visitors on the Friday afternoon I was there, and nothing like the crowds of the city centre sites. You can feel nature and spirit. There is a beautiful lake surrounded with maples and cherry blossoms which contains the Benten-do. Unfortunately, many trees in the forest area had to be cleared after a 2018 typhoon, and the mountain path and upper temple is presently closed. The old Garan walls with the red pines lining the road is very atmospheric. The huge gilded gate has a stone post in front of it on the path that says "Get off your horse"! There are many interesting sights in the vicinity, and I would have liked to have had more time there.
2. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,494 reviews
This shrine is one of many located throughout Japan that was built to honor Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Reviewed By Cholo_Juan - Nathalia, Australia
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is a must do for visitors to Kyoto to walk upward ever upward via the winding path through hundreds of Tori gates is an amazing experience, stopping along the way to take in the prayer stations some with dozens if not hundreds of small tori placed as votive offerings. We arrived late in the afternoon and had to almost sprint up the hill as the evening darkness closed in on us, but then the lights come on giving the pathway a surreal air as the light casts its shadows through the Tori Gates. It is an arduous walk so make sure you are fit and have good walking shoes but well worth the effort
3. Tofuku-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,807 reviews
Reviewed By YTCHENG - Hong Kong, China
Tofuku-ji Temple was particularly famous for its autumn fall colors. There were many tourists, local or overseas, rushed to the temple to share the joy around. The first main photo-stop should be the Tsutenkyo Bridge while the Hojo gardens with the sea of raked sands and rocks arranged to represent sacred mountains were also crowded with visitors. Highly recommended during peak period by late November each year.
4. Toji
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,620 reviews
Reviewed By chienwinston - Taipei, Taiwan
Entrance fee : all included is 800 yen. Location: 10-15 minutes by foot from Kyoto Station. Recommendation is indeed because there reserve several national treasures in display. The temples are ancient. I have been Kyoto fourth times, but I discovered it in this year. It isn’t advertised often in my local tours or blogs. It definitely deserves your visiting no matter which season is.
5. Jonangu Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By Selsy
I went to see the Kyo-kusui no Utage held on National Culture Day in November. Although I arrived 40 minutes before the start, I got one of the last available seats. The event is a poetry competition where poets dress in traditional costume and compose poetry in the shrine's beautiful garden. It was very interesting to watch - the costumes were beautiful, and there was traditional music and dance as well. Apart from the performance itself, the gardens are beautiful to wander around. The shrine is an easy 10 minute walk from Takeda station, the last stop on the Karasuma subway line.
6. Unryuin
7. Komyoin
8. Sekihoji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Leo33675 - Miami, United States
Compared to Fushimi Inari Shrine, this is the much more laid back, tranquil version. Come here after visiting Fushimi Inari, and you will likely be the only people there, an entire shrine to yourself. The garden is nice as is the shrine, but the real highlight are Buddha statues in the back of the shrine (small hike, takes less than 20 mins to see all of them). Created over 200 years ago, the statues are worth the time going here even if you don't see Fushimi Inari. Add in the fact how little known this place is, would highly recommend going for the Japanese Shrine/ Temple experience without all the crowds. Note that the shrine is free but to see the statues it's $300 yen (easily worth it).
