Location: Western Kyoto
Top Things to do in Western Kyoto
Countries
Things to do in Kyoto, Kinki: The Best Gardens
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. Sogenchi Garden
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By DarioSaraB - Rome, Italy
Beautiful Zen garden, really worth the entrance fee. Many different plants, all with specified names, that are really interesting to see. The walk through the garden is amazing and you can experience the real zen vibe.
2. Okochi Sanso Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 618 reviews
Reviewed By khang_lenguyen - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
As one of hundreds of gardens in Kyoto, we easily bypass this wonderful garden. The admission fee of 1000yen is worth for every piece, including the free green-tea cup and one small cake as refresher. The walking path in the garden leads to the top view of the garden, where Mt. Arashi and Mt. Ogura can be observed. Daihi temple can also been seen. The path itself is the great sight. Two paths of beautiful tree side by side the guests will create mysterious atmosphere. On the top of them, colourful leaves are welcoming and reflected by the sunlight. I've just felt that I was walking through some places in dreams. Too beautiful to say about this garden. You should not miss it in autumn!
3. Taizo-in
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Taizo-in Zen Buddhist Temple has been beloved by people for more than 600 years. It showcases a dry landscape garden by Kano Motonobu, a Zen painting "Catching a Catfish with a Gourd", known as "Hyonenzu" and a Japanese botanical pond garden "Yoko-en" with Suikinkutsu, which is an ornament for the garden as well as a music device named after a Japanese musical instrument, Koto. Access BY TRAIN: Take a JR train on Sagano Line. 12min. from Kyoto Station. Please get off at Hanazono Station. 7 minute walk from Hanazono Station. BY BUS: Several buses are available from the major tourist sites in Kyoto. Please get off at either Myoshinji-mae Stop or Myoshinji Kitamon-mae Stop.
Reviewed By Eric_Greeney
Taizo-in is one of the highly rated Kyoto Gardens and righlty so. Taizo-in is one of the many subtemples of Myoshin-ji and easily found close to the south entrance to the complex. The Myoshin-ji compound resembles structurally that of the perhaps more famous Daitoku-ji, both are large areas with stone-paved streets and wider squares between temple halls and subtemples, many of which are not open to public. Taizo-in provides many areas of beauty and has some rare characteristic features: the entrance to the garden area is dominated by a huge cherry tree that must be quite a sight at the cherry blossom season. Unfortunately I visited in October, missing this glory. The raked gravel fields on two sides of the entrance are of different color: the one on the right is of dark ravel rather than the more usual white one. The grooves are wide and deep, the display more dramatic than that of an average karesansui. Deeper in the garden there is a pond and a stream flowing to it. Trees, bushes, water, form a harmonious setting, best viewed from the pergola at the deepest end of the garden. There is also a separate pavilion for enjoying green tea. One of the most beautiful sights during my Kyoto garden tour this time! I almost missed the rock garden behind the temple hall, but it can be seen from the far end of the area available for visitors and is very nice, more of a mainstream karesansui display.
