Kyoto Perfect Guide

Walk Kyoto Your Way

Temples, trails, and detours worth taking. Explore Kyoto through curated walking courses and handpicked spots — from iconic landmarks to hidden gems only locals know.

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Walking Courses

5 Curated Walks Through Kyoto

Each course connects temples, shrines, gardens, and quiet streets into a single walking route you can follow at your own pace.

銀閣寺・哲学の道・南禅寺コース

Ginkaku-ji, Philosopher's Path & Nanzen-ji Walk

Start by walking along the Philosopher's Path from Ginkaku-ji-michi. The path got its name because Kyoto School philosophers like Nishida Kitaro and Tanabe Haj...

Read more 洛北・詩仙堂・修学院離宮周辺コース

Northern Kyoto: Shisen-do & Shugakuin Imperial Villa Walk

The main attraction on this course is Shugakuin Imperial Villa. You can't just walk in — make sure to apply for a visit in advance through the Imperial Househol...

Read more 金閣寺・竜安寺・仁和寺周辺コース

Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji & Ninna-ji Walk

Kinugake-no-michi is the road that runs west along the mountain base from Hidari-Daimonji-yama, which has Kinkaku-ji at its foot. The main route here takes you ...

Read more 嵯峨野・嵐山周辺コース

Sagano & Arashiyama Walk

If you're using the train, you can really go either direction, but since the mountains are close in the Arashiyama/Sagano area and it gets dark earlier, if you'...

Read more 清水寺・東山散策コース

Kiyomizu-dera & Higashiyama Walk

This course goes from south to north: starting at Kiyomizu-dera (famous for its wooden stage), through Sannen-zaka (Sannei-zaka), Ninen-zaka, Kodai-ji, Yasui Ko...

Popular Spots

10 Must-Visit Places in Kyoto

The temples, shrines, and landmarks that define Kyoto — each with centuries of history and a character all its own.

清水寺

Kiyomizu-dera

Founded in 780 with the support of Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and established by the monk Enchin, Kiyomizu-dera has a remark...

Kinkaku-ji

The quintessential Kyoto landmark — everyone knows it. Its formal name is Rokuon-ji. It started as the Kitayama-dono vil...

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari currently enshrines Ukanomitama-no-Okami as its principal deity, along with Sadahiko-no-Okami, Omiya-no-Me...

Ginkaku-ji

Ginkaku-ji began as the mountain retreat that Ashikaga Yoshimasa built in Higashiyama in 1482. After Yoshimasa's death, ...

Nanzen-ji

Originally built in 1264 as a detached palace for Emperor Kameyama, it was converted into the head temple of the Rinzai ...

Tenryu-ji

The head temple of the Rinzai Tenryu-ji school. Its full formal name is Reikisan Tenryu Shisei Zenji. The principal imag...

Ryoan-ji

Founded in 1450 by Hosokawa Katsumoto, with Giten Gensho of Myoshin-ji as the founding abbot. Ryoan-ji is famous for it...

Nijo Castle

Built in 1603 as lodging for the shogun's visits to Kyoto, this castle also served as the military headquarters during b...

Sanzen-in

A branch temple of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei, belonging to the Tendai sect and holding the prestigious status of a monzek...

Togetsukyo Bridge

The bridge that serves as the symbol of Arashiyama. The river it spans is called the Oi-gawa (Oi River) upstream from th...

Hieizan Enryaku-ji

A great temple on Mount Hiei's Shimei-ga-take peak, straddling the border of Kyoto and Shiga. It's the head temple of th...

Daitoku-ji

Founded in 1319 (Geno 1) by Daito Kokushi (Shuho Myocho). From the Hanazono to the Go-Daigo eras, the temple held such p...

Imamiya Jinja

In 994 (Shoreki 5), when an epidemic swept through Kyoto, a plague shrine was built on Funaoka-yama to contain it — that...

Genko-an

Soto Zen sect. The principal image is Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamuni Buddha). Established in 1347 by Settsu-o as a retirement ...

Josho-ji

Established in the early Edo period as one of the six Takagamine seminaries of the old Yamashiro province. The "Yoshino ...

Koetsu-ji

The former residence of the Edo-period artist Hon'ami Koetsu. In 1615, Tokugawa Ieyasu granted him this land. Koetsu's f...

Jinko-in

One of the "Three Great Kobo" temples of Kyoto, founded by Kobo Daishi. Known as the "Yakuyoke Daishi" (Kobo Daishi of E...

Shoden-ji

The dry landscape garden using Mount Hiei as borrowed scenery was designed by Kobori Enshu. Trimmed azalea bushes shaped...

Kamigamo Jinja

Along with Shimogamo Jinja, one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. Between the first and second torii gates, a lawn stretch...

Shake-no-michi

The area along the Myojin-gawa river that flows in front of Kamigamo Jinja. Shrine priest residences (shake) line the st...

Ota Jinja

An auxiliary shrine of Kamigamo Jinja. The grounds contain Ota-no-sawa, a marsh where irises (kakitsubata) — celebrated ...

Kyoto Gyoen

Located right in the center of Kyoto, this roughly 650,000-square-meter park is freely accessible and cherished by local...

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Open to the public for just five days each in spring and autumn; at other times, advance registration is required. Locat...

Shiramine Jingu

Enshrines Emperor Sutoku and Emperor Junnin. Originally the Kahei Taisha. Toward the end of the Edo period, Emperor Kome...

Seimei Jinja

Said to have been established in 1007 on the site of the residence of the mid-Heian-period onmyoji (yin-yang diviner) Ab...

Nashinoki Jinja

Home to a hand-washing basin fed by "Somei," one of Kyoto's three famous natural springs. Also famous as a bush clover (...

Entsu-ji

Originally built as the retirement villa "Hataeda Rikyu" for Emperor Go-Mizunoo. The dry landscape garden uses Mount Hie...

Jisso-in Monzeki

Relocated from Murasaki-no to its current location in 1411 (Oei 18). Highlights include the sliding-door paintings by th...

Kurama-dera

Founded by Gantei, a disciple of the Chinese monk Ganjin. Originally a Tendai sect temple, but since 1949 it has been an...

Yuki Jinja

The worship hall has an unusual design where stone steps pass right through the middle of the building, known as a "wari...

Kifune Jinja

Legend has it that the goddess Tamayori-hime sailed up from the Yodo-gawa river in a yellow boat and came ashore at Kibu...

Wara Tenjingu

Said to have originally stood where Kinkaku-ji is now, before the Kitayama-dono villa was built. The shrine is known for...

Kuginuki Jizo

The formal name is Shakuzo-ji. Said to have been founded by Kobo Daishi, with the Jizo Bosatsu statue reportedly carved ...

Kitano Tenmangu

Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, it's famous as the shrine of the god of learning. The roofs of the main hall and wor...

Hirano Jinja

Said to have been relocated from Nara in 794 (Enryaku 13) when the capital moved to Kyoto. The main hall is built in the...

Senbon Shaka-do

A shrine believed to bless married harmony. There's a statue of "Okame," a woman who took her own life to protect her hu...

Toji-in

Built by Ashikaga Takauji in 1341. Two years later, a secondary temple was built at the present location, and after Taka...

Ninna-ji

Also known as the Ninna-ji Monzeki or Omuro Gosho (Omuro Imperial Palace). One of Kyoto's most representative temples — ...

Myoshin-ji

The head temple of the Rinzai Myoshin-ji school. Mountain name: Shobo-zan. The principal image is Shaka Nyorai (Shakyamu...

Higashi Hongan-ji

Built in 1602 (Keicho 7) by the 12th head priest Kyonyo Shonin. It split from Nishi Hongan-ji and became the head temple...

Shosei-en

A detached estate of Higashi Hongan-ji. Built on the site of the Rokujo Kawara-in pond garden, originally created by Min...

Nishi Hongan-ji

Founded by Kakushin-ni, the daughter of Shinran Shonin. The head temple of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) sect. The G...

To-ji

History of To-ji: The head temple of the Toji Shingon sect. Construction began around the same time Kukai departed for T...

Raigo-in

Its mountain name is Gyozan. Located along the Ryo River. Tendai sect. The main hall enshrines Yakushi Nyorai (Medicine ...

Shorin-in

A branch temple of Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei, belonging to the Tendai sect. In 835, the monk Ennin brought shomyo (Buddhi...

Jikko-in

A sub-temple of Shorin-in. Like many temples in Ohara, this one is also known as a temple of shomyo (Buddhist liturgical...

Hosen-in

The temple has a "blood ceiling" — floorboards from Fushimi Castle, stained with the blood of Torii Mototada's retainers...

Jakko-in

Said to have been founded in 594 by Prince Shotoku to pray for the repose of his father, Emperor Yomei. The principal im...

Amida-ji

Jodo (Pure Land) sect. The principal image is Amida Nyorai. Founded in 1609 by the monk Dansei Shonin. The main hall ens...

Jojakko-ji

Founded in 1596 when the monk Nittei Shonin retired here to live in seclusion. The main hall was relocated from Fushimi ...

Rakushisha

The site of the thatched cottage where Mukai Kyorai, an Edo-period haiku poet, once lived. Matsuo Basho also visited her...

Nison-in

Originally founded by Emperor Saga as Kedai-ji, it was revived during the Kamakura period by the monk Honen. After being...

Takiguchi-dera

A temple connected to The Tale of the Heike — specifically the tragic love story of Takiguchi Nyudo and the court dancer...

Gio-ji

Founded by Ryochin, a disciple of the monk Honen. It fell into ruin during the medieval period but was revived in the Me...

Adashino Nembutsu-ji

Jodo (Pure Land) sect; the principal image is Amida Nyorai. According to tradition, Kukai (Kobo Daishi) established this...

Seiryo-ji (Saga Shaka-do)

Also known as Saga Shaka-do. It began when a statue of Shaka Nyorai brought back from Tang China was enshrined within th...

Hokyo-in

This temple served as the mortuary for Ashikaga Yoshiakira and contains the grave of the Northern Court's Yoshiakira alo...

Daikaku-ji

Originally built in the early Heian period as a detached palace for Emperor Saga. It was converted into a temple startin...

Jikishi-an

A small hermitage established in 1646 by the monk Dokusho. It's known as a place of quiet solace where visitors can find...

Konpuku-ji

Founded in the late 800s by the monk Anne Sozu. It later fell into ruin but was revived by Tesshu, who reestablished it ...

Shisendo (Jozan-ji)

Built in 1641 by the literati Ishikawa Jozan as his personal retreat. The thatched-roof study contains the "Room of the ...

Manshuin Monzeki

The main hall's Grand Study has a cypress-bark roof and houses fusuma paintings by Kano Tanyu. The dry landscape garden ...

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

This site was once home to Shugaku-in, a temple that eventually fell into ruin and became part of Enryaku-ji's estates. ...

Renge-ji

A Tendai-sect temple that fell into ruin after the Onin War and was revived in 1662 by Imaeda Chikayoshi, a senior retai...

Honen-in

The temple buildings are normally closed to the public, but special openings are held in spring and autumn. During speci...

Philosopher's Path

This path got its name because philosophers of the Kyoto School, such as Nishida Kitaro and Tanabe Hajime, used to strol...

Eikando

The head temple of the Jodo Seizan Zenrinji school. It's said that the calligrapher Fujiwara no Sekio built a mountain v...

Murin-an

The villa of Yamagata Aritomo, a Meiji-era statesman. It consists of a Japanese-style main house and a Western-style bui...

Anraku-ji

Founded to memorialize Juren and Anraku, two disciples of the monk Honen. The story goes that Matsumushi and Suzumushi, ...

Yoshida Shrine

Located on Mount Yoshida, just east of Kyoto University's main gate. Founded in 859 when the deities of Nara's Kasuga Sh...

Shinnyodo

Founded in 984. Its formal name is Shinsho Gokuraku-ji — "Shinnyodo" is actually the name of the main hall. The main hal...

Konkai Komyo-ji

Founded in 1175 when the monk Honen established a small hermitage here. It is one of the head temples of the Jodo (Pure ...

Heian Jingu

Built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Kyoto. Positioned at the end of...

Himukai Daijingu

The Upper Shrine enshrines Amaterasu Omikami along with the three Munakata goddesses — Tagorihime-no-Mikoto, Ichikishima...

Shoren-in

Tendai sect. One of the three monzeki temples of Enryaku-ji. The temple houses the painting "Yoi Fudo" (Evening Fudo), a...

Chion-in

Said to have begun in 1175 when the monk Honen established a small hermitage here. It's a massive temple complex with 10...

Maruyama Park

Kyoto's first public park, established in 1886, located behind Yasaka Shrine. In spring, over 800 cherry trees bloom all...

Kodai-ji Temple

Founded in 1606 by Kita-no-Mandokoro (Nene), the principal wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to pray for his soul. Originally ...

Jishu Shrine

Known as the shrine of love and matchmaking. In front of the main hall stand the famous "Love Fortune-Telling Stones." T...

Kennin-ji Temple

Founded in 1202 by Myoan Eisai, this is Japan's oldest Zen temple, with 14 sub-temples on its grounds. Famous for the "W...

Yasui Konpiragu Shrine

Known as a shrine for cutting bad ties and forming good ones. The grounds — considered a power spot — feature a stone mo...

Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple

Founded in 963 by the monk Kuya as Saiko-ji Temple. The second abbot, Chushin, renamed it Rokuharamitsu-ji. It later bec...

Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple

The Enma Hall enshrines a seated statue of King Enma and a standing statue of Ono no Takamura. There is a well said to l...

Hoko-ji Temple

Built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1586. It was once called the Great Buddha Hall and housed an enormous Buddha statue. The ...

Toyokuni Shrine

A shrine dedicated to the spirit of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It's said to bring blessings for career advancement and promotio...

Yogen-in Temple

Built in 1594 by Yodo-dono, Hideyoshi's consort, to honor her father Azai Nagamasa. Later rebuilt by her sister Sugen-in...

Chishaku-in Temple

Head temple of the Chisan school of Shingon Buddhism. The pond-strolling garden on the east side of the Great Study Hall...

Shimogamo Shrine

One of Kyoto's oldest shrines, dedicated to the gods of bountiful harvests. The two enshrined deities are Tamayori-hime-...

Jingo-ji Temple

Formally known as Jingo Kokuso Shingon-ji. Mountain name: Takao-san. A special head temple of the Koyasan Shingon school...

Saimyo-ji Temple

Founded by Kukai's disciple Chisen as a branch temple of Jingo-ji. It can't compare to Jingo-ji in scale, but the autumn...

Kozan-ji Temple

Originally founded by Emperor Konin in the Nara period. The monk Myoe revived it in 1206. It is now an independent templ...

Yasaka Shrine

Located at the eastern end of Shijo Street. The vermillion-lacquered West Tower Gate, rebuilt in 1497, stands at the ent...

Chiyo no Furumichi

The name "Chiyo no Furumichi" (Ancient Path of a Thousand Ages) sounds like it must have existed since time immemorial, ...

Kamo River

Without the Kamo River, Kyoto's charm would be less than half of what it is. My recommended spot is around the Demachiji...

Sanjusangendo

Originally part of Emperor Go-Shirakawa's detached palace, Rengeo-in. The main hall (National Treasure) got its name fro...

Tofuku-ji Temple

Mountain name Enichi-zan, head temple of the Rinzai Tofuku-ji school. Principal image is Shaka Nyorai. Founded in 1236 b...

Shokoku-ji Temple

Head temple of the Rinzai Shokoku-ji school, ranked second among Kyoto's Five Mountains. Founded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....

Go-o Shrine

Enshrines Wake no Kiyomaro, his sister Hiromushi, and Fujiwara no Momokawa. Located along Karasuma Street, west of the K...

Horin-ji Temple

A Shingon Gochi school temple. The principal image is Kokuzo Bosatsu (Akashagarbha Bodhisattva). The multi-story pagoda ...

Okochi Sanso Villa

Okochi Denjiro was a jidaigeki (period drama) film actor who was active mainly with Nikkatsu Studios before the war. The...

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Kyoto International Manga Museum

A manga museum housed in a former elementary school. It's jointly operated by Kyoto City and Kyoto Seika University (whi...

Byodo-in Temple

Originally the villa of Minamoto no Toru, it later became Fujiwara no Michinaga's retreat before his son Fujiwara no Yor...

Yasaka Pagoda

A Rinzai sect temple. Legend has it that Prince Shotoku built it after receiving a divine message from Nyoirin Kannon in...

Sekiho-ji Temple

The principal image is Yakushi Nyorai. The temple has stone Buddhist statues based on sketches by Ito Jakuchu, who lived...

Daigo-ji Temple

A World Heritage Site. Founded when Rigen Daishi, a grand-disciple of Kukai, enshrined Nyoirin Kannon and Juntei Kannon ...

Kajuji Temple

Head temple of the Yamashina school of Shingon Buddhism. Founded by Emperor Daigo around 900 AD, with over a thousand ye...

Sennyuji Temple

Head temple of the Sennyuji school of Shingon Buddhism. Due to its deep ties with the Imperial household, it is known as...

Koryu-ji Temple

Founded by Prince Shotoku. It is Kyoto's oldest temple. Its most famous treasure is the Miroku Bosatsu hanka shii-zo (Ha...

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