Exploring Kyoto must be on your itinerary in Japan. “Kyoto me my everything” is our tag line for Kyoto. Everything that we could ask for in a place is tucked in this city that is rich in cultural and historical heritage. This is also where modernity meets tradition.
Previously, we briefly mentioned Kyoto on our post: “Ten Things for your Japan Bucket List” that it has 2000 shrines and temples. Whew! It is a lot, we know. Out of these countless shrines and temples, there are a few that you can tick from your list on your first visit.
EXPLORING KYOTO PART 1
Fushimi Inari
Our best tip is for you to visit Fushimi Inari between 7:00 AM – 08:00 AM. This famous spot in Kyoto is crowded with many tourists after 08:00 AM so it would be impossible for you capture a very good visual of the tori gates once you visit past that hour. It pays to be early: the air is still breezy, the place is not flocked with tourists yet, and since there is no entrance fee and operating hours, you can explore the place as much as you want.
On our way back, we stumbled upon this great sight!
Daigoji Temple
Exploring Kyoto is not complete without visiting a temple. Daigoji is a designated world heritage site that is around 40 minutes train ride from Fushimi Inari. Logically, we could have put this as our first destination during our trip. However, considering the number of visitors in Fushimi Inari after 8:00 AM, we decided against this plan. If you are lucky during spring, Daigoji is one of the places where you can bask in the beauty of cherry blossoms. In fact, we saw another fully bloomed sakura tree here during our visit.
Sanboin is the elegant residence of the head priest constructed in 1115. This place is where you can also see an elegant landscaped garden constructed in 1598.
A walk further inside the temple grounds will bring you to Shimo Daigo. This is where you can find the 38 meter tall pagoda – the oldest in Kyoto.
Operating Hours: 09:00 AM to 17:00 PM
Admission: 1500 yen (from March 20 to May 15 and from October 15 to December 10); 800 yen (during the rest of the year)
Sanjusangendo
Another temple you need to add while exploring Kyoto is Sanjusangendo. This temple is famous for the 1001 statues of Kannon. You can see a human size statues standing in ten rows and plated in gold which is surely a visual treat to everyone.
Operating Hours: 08:00 AM to 17:00 PM
Admission: 600 YEN
Kiyomizudera
This is a well known UNESCO world heritage site in Kyoto. The main hall and stage in this temple were built without the use of nails and provide an amazing view of cherry blossoms (spring) and maple tree (fall).
From Sanjusangendo, you can take bus 100 directly to Kiyomizudera and from the highway’s bus station, you will have to walk uphill for approximately 15 minutes. Enjoy all the food along the streets of Kiyomizudera and be sure to ready yourself for the number of visitor you will see exploring its vicinity.
Operating Hours: 06:00 AM to 18:00 PM
Admission: 400 YEN
Depending on your energy, you can cap the day by heading to Gion where you can do a Geisha or Maiko sightseeing and enjoy the traditional houses along Gion’s streets.
Gion
This place is commonly known as the “geisha” district that is located between Yasaka Shrine and Kamogawa River.
The Shirakawa area which runs along the Shirakawa canal is also another part of Gion where you can have the best sight seeing view with lesser crowd around.
Whew! We just shared to you part 1 of our Kyoto guide. Stay with us as we bring to you many more places that you can explore in 48 hours.
Do you have any plans of visiting Japan anytime soon? SHARE this to your friends and invite them to take an adventure to Japan with you!
