What to do and see in Northern Kyoto, Kinki: The Best Things to do

August 23, 2021 Franklyn Hardiman

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. Ryogen-in Temple

82-1 Daitokuji-cho Murasakino Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8231 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-491-7635
Excellent
55%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 49 reviews

Ryogen-in Temple

This temple is home to the most famous Zen rock garden in Japan, which has been in existence since the 15th century.

2. Kinkakuji Temple

1 Kinkakujicho, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8361 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-461-0013 [email protected] https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/kinkakuji/
Excellent
59%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 17,029 reviews

Kinkakuji Temple

One of Kyoto's most famous attractions, this temple was originally built in 1397 as a residence for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The structure was completely covered in gold leaf, earning it the name Golden Pavilion.

Reviewed By elizabethpV8634SC

It’s not called the “Golden Temple” for nothing. This beautiful temple, covered in gold leaf is my favorite temple in Kyoto. We caught it at the right time (1 pm) on a calm sunny day, to get perfect iconic photos with reflections of the temple in the water & excellent lighting (not shooting into the sun). It also turned out to be a good time to avoid peak crowds and it was easy to get a front row spot to take pictures across the lake. You cannot go inside temple, so just admire it across the water and tour the lush, landscaped grounds. If you are interested in an itinerary for a nice day out, here's a suggestion. Visit Nijo castle first in the morning. The Castle is easy to reach by subway – Tozai line. Consider the tour in English at 10AM. Afterwards, it is easy to reach Kinkaku-ji from Nijo castle by bus. The best option is bus #12 from right outside the Castle (direction Ritsumeikan) - 17 stops to the Kinkakuji-mae bus stop, which takes 24 mins. Note that this stop is the one AFTER Kinkakuji-michi The #12 bus stops right outside the entrance to the temple complex. After visiting Kinkaku-ji it makes sense to go to the Ryoan-ji temple as well, since it’s just an easy 15 minute walk away. Upon exiting the temple, walk to the street where you entered the temple and turn right. Follow this road until you reach the entrance to Ryoan-ji on your right hand side. You can also take bus #59 (three stops) between the two temples, but unless it’s really cold or rainy, it’s just as easy to walk This itinerary will put you at Ryoan-ji later in the afternoon so it will be less crowded & more enjoyable.

3. Mount Hiei

Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture +81 77-578-0001
Excellent
53%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 161 reviews

Mount Hiei

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.

4. Ninna-ji Temple

33 Omuro Ouchi, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 616-8092 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-461-1155 http://www.ninnaji.jp/
Excellent
58%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,249 reviews

Ninna-ji Temple

Ninna-ji is a national tresure and also designated as a world heritage site. From over a thousand years ago, it has a deep co nection to the imperial family. Then, Ninna-ji is one of most famous temple which known for beautiful cherry blossoms, its wrapping up the end of the season in Kyoto - a town with many famous cherry trees.

Reviewed By DickyS357

Everybody would be rushing to Kinkakuji Temple down the road, but I have to say this temple was the nicest temple experience we had. This was due to the expansive temple grounds and lack of people rushing about. You could take your time here, stroll around and really appreciate the beauty of the place. There wasn't any cordons which means you could get up close and admire the designs and thought put into each building. Really recommended if you want the true temple experience in Kyoto.

5. Shugakuin Imperial Villa

1-3 Shugakuin-Yabusoe, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 602-8611 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-781-5203 http://sankan.kunaicho.go.jp/guide/shugakuin.html
Excellent
68%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 399 reviews

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

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.

6. Kamigamo Shrine

339 Kamigamomotoyama Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8047 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-781-0011 http://www.kamigamojinja.jp/
Excellent
50%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 608 reviews

Kamigamo Shrine

Reviewed By kyliem319 - Melbourne, Australia

lovely buildings and gardens to walk around, history of these places is amazing. Very tranquil and so clean.

7. Kotoin

73-1 Murasakino Daitokujicho, Kita-Ku, Kyoto 603-8231 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-492-0068 http://www.kyoto-kankou.or.jp/info_search/?id=687&r=1527051719.6987
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 112 reviews

Kotoin

Reviewed By chrisfowleredin

Slightly tucked away but worth the effort as you get to wonder around the inside of the family temple and strolling garden. As an added interest you get to view the family burial plot with houses the remains of the Catholic wife ordered to commit suicide when the religion was banned from Japan.

8. Genkoan

47 Kitatakagaminecho Takagamine, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8468 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-492-1858 http://ja.kyoto.travel/tourism/single02.php?category_id=7&tourism_id=275
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 173 reviews

Genkoan

9. Kyoto Botanical Garden

Shimogamohangicho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0823 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-701-0141 http://www.pref.kyoto.jp/plant/
Excellent
48%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 381 reviews

Kyoto Botanical Garden

Reviewed By YTCHENG - Hong Kong, China

We purposely came here to view momiji by late Nov. and there were quite a number of photo-takers took this chance as well. We were happy to see the colors around the ponds and more than three couples came to take their wedding photos at sunset period. Quite enjoyable but the best timing would be limited to several days only.

10. Haradanien

36 Okitayamaharadaniinuicho, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8487 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-461-2924 http://www.haradanien.com/
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 104 reviews

Haradanien

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