Location: Northern Kyoto
Top Things to do in Northern Kyoto
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The 10 Best Sacred & Religious Sites in Northern 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. Ryogen-in Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
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
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17,029 reviews
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
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.
4. Ninna-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,249 reviews
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. Kamigamo Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 608 reviews
Reviewed By kyliem319 - Melbourne, Australia
lovely buildings and gardens to walk around, history of these places is amazing. Very tranquil and so clean.
6. Kotoin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 112 reviews
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.
7. Genkoan
8. Shoden-ji Temple
9. Obai-in
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
Obai-in is a temple which began with the construction of a koan hermitage by Nobunaga Oda as a memorial for his father, Nobuhide. The Sakumuken priests' quarters and tearoom, the oldest existing among Japanese Zen temples, and the Jikichu-tei garden, landscaped by Sen no Rikyu at age 66, will be open to the public.
Reviewed By Eric_Greeney
I was lucky to visit Daitokuji when Obai-in and Korin-in were open for public: they have been closed during my previous summertime visits, and only accept visitors in spring and autumn. If you have serious interest in Japanese gardens, you really want to see these subtemples: check their schedules and plan your trip accordingly. They had a combined ticket I decided to take in spite of the price being a bit higher that for most other temples as this was my opportunity – and I am truly glad I did. Obai-in became one of my favourite temple gardens in Kyoto and its overwhelming beauty can only be matched by Shisen-do and Murin-an. The route goes around under a covered walkway providing beautiful vistas to the garden of impeccable beauty with a personal character. The gravel used here is not only raked in wider areas, but also as narrow round streaks extending themselves into the surrounding field of moss. What adds to the value of the garden is, that part of it was designed by Sen no Rikyu, the developer of the tea ceremony. This is the one with moss in the middle and narrow, beautifully designed gravel around it. There is another section with more gravel and stones, like the usual karesansui display, this too being one of the most memorable of its kind. I am sorry not to have any pictures I usually take loads of, singe no photography was allowed in Obai-in. The subtemple is also famous for cherishing the skills of Japanese calligraphy. Even during my visit, one of the senior monks, rather famous for his mastery of the art, was present, sitting behind a desk on tatami floor. Some Japanese visitors approached him and talked for a while, so if you are fluent in the language and have something to ask concerning calligraphy, this could be your moment. I learned this along with a bunch of other things from one of the friendly guides who were there for us visitors and really helped us to get into the design and history of the garden. A beautiful moment, out of this world experience, being immersed in all this, Japanese maple seed samaras falling to the walkway… priceless. I can’t emphasize enough: Obai-in should be on the top of the list of any Japanese garden enthusiast. Remember the limited times of admission! And while in Daitokuji, be sure to check the more generously open subtemples Daisen-in, Zuiho-in and Ryogen-in.
