10 Historic Sites in Northern Kyoto That You Shouldn't Miss

March 8, 2022 Jana Sager

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. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Ninna-ji Temple Gojunoto

33 Omuro Ouchi, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 616-8092 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-461-1155 http://www.ninnaji.jp/
Excellent
42%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Ninna-ji Temple Gojunoto

5. Daitoku-ji Temple

53 Murasakino Daitoku-Ji-Cho, Kita-Ku, Kyoto 603-8231 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-491-0019 http://www.rinnou.net/cont_03/07daitoku/
Excellent
45%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 360 reviews

Daitoku-ji Temple

The Daitoku-ji complex of Zen Buddhism consists of 24 temples,including Daisen-in and Ryogen-in.

Reviewed By johnandlizb - Leamington Spa, United Kingdom

There are beautiful walkways and buildings here and some are open to the public. We went into one and had a look at the 5 little gardens. Mostly raked gravel with some lovely moss and plants. I find them peaceful and pretty and it was relatively quiet too. Really enjoyed it. It was quite small but well worth the visit.

6. Ensho-ji Temple

24 Takagamine Kitatakagaminecho, Kita-ku, Kyoto 603-8468 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-491-1496
Excellent
38%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
38%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 8 reviews

Ensho-ji Temple

7. Former Hideout of Iwakura Tomomi Taigakubunko

100, Aguracho, Iwa-Kura, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-781-7984 http://www.kyotolove.com/kview.php?Select=iwakuratomomi-yuuseikyuutaku1
Excellent
35%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 23 reviews

Former Hideout of Iwakura Tomomi Taigakubunko

8. Town of Salmon

KamIgamo Ikedonocho, KIta-Ku, Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture
Excellent
29%
Good
57%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 21 reviews

Town of Salmon

9. Iwakura Jissoin

121, Iwakuraaguracho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0017 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-781-5464 http://www.jissoin.com/
Excellent
19%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
5%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 108 reviews

Iwakura Jissoin

Reviewed By Kwakaku - Sakai, Japan

From Kaiun-ji Temple Akai, I walked down the crooked hill between psychiatric hospitals and arrive at the open space in front of Jisso-in Temple, which is known for its “yuka midori” (fresh green foliage reflected on the polished wooden floor) and “yuka momoji” (autumn red foliage reflected on the polished wooden floor). The temple gate was not so much packed that I decided to enter it. The main building was not smooch crowded that I sat in front of the polished wooden floor, and watched summer deepen green foliage reflected in the floor. The reflection changed its green colors from time to time. I noticed the spectators being replaced from time to time, but kept sitting in front of the floor, with my eyes fixed on the floor. Or was I gazing at the green foliage through the floor? After a long while, I continued to move on in the temple main building, arriving at the rock garden. Over the garden, I saw Mt. Hiei and the roofs of buildings in the Iwakura township. I recognized one of the roofs was that of the hospital with Cafe Imagine on its 3rd floor, and realized that I would be able to see Mt. Hiei and the Iwakura township from the cafe. I left the rock garden and Jisso-in Temple to see whether my realization would stand or not.

10. So Shrine

46 Shichikuseinancho, Kita-Ku, Kyoto 603-8206 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-493-0414
Excellent
17%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
67%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 6 reviews

So Shrine

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