Kyoto Top Attractions

The head shrine of 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan, Fushimi Inari's famous network of over 10,000 vermilion torii gates winds up the forested slopes of Mount Inari (233m) in one of Japan's most instantly recognisable and photographed images. Each torii was donated by a business or individual as an offering to Inari — the deity of foxes, rice, agriculture, industry, and worldly success. The full hiking circuit to the summit and back takes 2–3 hours through atmospheric forest. The lower sections near the shrine buildings are extremely crowded; dawn or late afternoon visits thin the crowds significantly.

The Zen Buddhist temple of Rokuon-ji, universally known as Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), has the top two floors of its three-storey pavilion covered in gold leaf that blazes in morning sunlight and reflects in the mirror surface of Kyoko-chi (Mirror Pond). Originally built in 1397 as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, it became a temple after his death per his wishes. The current structure was rebuilt in 1955 after a disturbed monk burned it down in 1950 — an act of destruction immortalised in Mishima Yukio's famous novel. The different architectural styles of each floor (Heian palatial, Muromachi samurai, Zen Chinese) represent the three worlds of Buddhism.

A 500-metre path through towering bamboo that creates a green cathedral of sound and filtered light — the rustling and creaking of the stalks produces the specific noise designated by Japan as one of the 100 Soundscapes to Preserve. The grove is part of the Arashiyama district, which also contains the spectacular Tenryu-ji (the largest Zen garden in Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage site), Jojakko-ji's atmospheric hillside moss temple, the Otagi Nenbutsu-ji with its 1,200 carved stone figures, and the wild monkey mountain park.

Perched on the wooded slopes of Otawa-yama, Kiyomizudera's enormous wooden stage — built without a single nail — extends over the hillside 13 metres above the trees, offering breathtaking views over the valley and Kyoto's panorama. The complex is one of Japan's most ancient and revered sites, founded in 778 AD (current buildings date from 1633). The Otawa Waterfall below the main hall has three streams believed to grant longevity, success in studies, and fortunate love respectively. The stone lane approaching through Sannen-zaka and Ninenzaka — preserved merchant quarter lanes — is one of Kyoto's finest walks.

The most famous karesansui (dry landscape garden) in the world: fifteen moss-covered stones arranged in raked white gravel in a precise 25x10 metre rectangle, with no obvious explanation of their arrangement and design. Created by an unknown master in the late 15th century, it has never been convincingly explained — the stones are positioned so that only 14 can be seen at once from any angle. The mystery is intentional. The surrounding Ryoan-ji complex encompasses a beautiful Kyoko-chi pond garden, enormous ancient trees, and the quieter back paths that most visitors miss.

The UNESCO World Heritage Edo-period palace complex served as the Kyoto residence of the Tokugawa shoguns. The Ninomaru Palace, designated a national treasure, contains extraordinary painted screen doors and ceilings in every room, while the famous 'nightingale floors' (uguisubari) in the corridors were engineered to creak with every footstep — a built-in security system against assassins. The Ninomaru Garden is a fine example of early Edo landscape design. The castle grounds are also excellent for cherry blossom season, with 800 trees.

A 2-kilometre stone path along a cherry-tree-lined canal that connects Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) in the north to Nanzen-ji in the south, named for philosopher Nishida Kitaro who is said to have used it for daily meditation. The path passes small shrines, independent cafes, craft studios, and neighbourhood gardens in one of Kyoto's most purely pleasant walks. In spring, the canal becomes a pink tunnel of cherry blossoms. In autumn, maples turn the water gold. The small independent restaurants and coffee shops along the path represent some of Kyoto's best neighbourhood dining.

Kyoto's most famous entertainment and geisha district retains extraordinary amounts of its Edo-period character in the preserved machiya (wooden townhouse) streetscapes of Hanamikoji-dori and Shimbashi. Geiko (Kyoto term for geisha) and their apprentice maiko are genuine working professionals who still entertain in private ochaya (teahouse) settings — not performers for tourists. They can occasionally be spotted in the early evenings on their way to engagements. The Yasaka Shrine at the eastern end of Gion is the focus of the spectacular Gion Matsuri festival in July.