Kyoto

Nijō Castle

二条城 nijō-jō

Certainly one of the highlights of Kyoto, with fine gardens and splendid centuries-old structures. The castle was built by the Tokugawa shoguns to serve as the shogun's residence in Kyoto. After the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate, the castle served as an imperial residence before being converted to a museum and opened to the public. The series of ornately-decorated reception rooms within the Ninomaru Palace complex is particularly impressive, and known for its "nightingale floors" - wooden flooring which makes bird-like squeaking sounds when stepped on so as to give advance warning when someone was approaching. From the empty base of the donjon that once overlooked the innermost section of the fortress (known as the Honmaru), you can get good views over parts of the castle compound and the wider city beyond. The donjon and original Honmaru Palace burnt down in two separate fires; the current Honmaru Palace was originally part of a prince's residence, and moved to its current location in the Meiji Period (late 19th century). The Honmaru Palace was opened to the public for the first time in 18 years on September 1, 2024, but reservations are required, and it will cost an additional ¥1,000. See also Japanese castles.

Daily 08:45-16:00 (Gate closes at 17:00), Ninomaru Palace closed on Tuesdays. · ¥1,300 for adults; ¥400 for junior and senior high school students, ¥300 for elementary school students, free for children under 6 years · Limited wheelchair access · Heritage listed · Built 1601

Kinkaku-ji Temple

金閣寺

The Temple of the Golden Pavilion, formally known as Rokuonji (鹿苑寺), is the most popular tourist attraction in Kyoto. The pavilion was built as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century, and converted into a temple by his son. However, the pavilion was burnt down in 1950, by a young monk who had become obsessed with it. (The story became the basis for Yukio Mishima's novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion.) The beautiful landscaping and the reflection of the temple on the face of the water make for a striking sight, but keeping the mobs of visitors out of your photos will be a stern test for your framing abilities. Get there early if you can to beat the school groups. Visitors follow a path through the moss garden surrounding the pavilion, before emerging into a square crowded with gift shops. It's only a short walk from Ryōan-ji (below), making for an easy pairing (and study in contrasts).

Daily 09:00-17:00 · Admission fee is ¥500 for adults and ¥200 for children · Built 1397 · Heritage listed

Kyoto Tower

京都タワー Kyōto-tawā

A source of bitterness of locals due to its futuristic feel, which counteracts the historic feel the city is known for, the Kyoto Tower is an overpriced viewing tower where you can observe Kyoto's urban sprawl at its finest. There is also a hotel and banquet hall at the tower.

Daily 09:00-20:30 · Free to visit lobby & hotel, charge for going to the top: adults: ¥770; students: ¥620; teens: ¥520; children: ¥150

Sentō Imperial Palace

仙洞御所 Sentō-gosho

This palace is one of the most competitive for reservations, because this is the palace where the Imperial family stays when in Kyoto.

Kyoto International Manga Museum

京都国際マンガミュージアム, Kyōto Kokusai Manga Myūjiamu

Housed in an old elementary school building, the museum holds over 300,000 manga-related items ranging from rare Meiji-era publications to the works of contemporary artists. One of its main attractions is the so-called "Wall of Manga": a vast collection of some 50,000 volumes arranged on shelves running along the building's corridors. Much of the collection is in Japanese, but there is a sizeable selection of manga translated into various foreign languages (including English) on the ground floor. Visitors are welcome to pick out and read anything they choose from the "Wall of Manga" (although the books can't be checked out for offsite reading), which explains the large numbers of children and young adults that throng the museum - and the large Astroturf field just outside where people can read the manga of their choosing. The museum also hosts special temporary exhibitions and other manga-related events. Closed Wednesdays and national holidays.

Daily 10:00-18:00 (entry until 17:30) · Adults: ¥800; students: ¥300; children: ¥100 · Wheelchair accessible

Kyoto Aquarium

京都水族館

A modern aquarium with a wide variety of sea life such as small and large Fish, Garden Eels, Dolphins, Seals, and Giant Salamanders. The Aquarium also includes a small Japanese style garden, two cafes, and a gift shop. The whole facility is wheelchair and pram accessible with elevators and ramps.

10:00 - 18:00 · Cost varies based on age: ¥2,400 - ¥800

Kyoto City Zoo

Like most zoos, visitors will see lions, tigers, and monkeys. There is an aviary and reptile exhibit, as well. The zoo has some native Japanese animals, but there isn't much to set it apart from most other zoos in the world.

The Museum of Kyoto

京都文化博物館, kyōto bunka hakubutsukan; 通称, bunpaku

The museum features many ancient artifacts relating to Kyoto life and history. It has an expansive ancient ceramics collection.

Tue-Sun 10:00-19:30 (until 18:00 during special events) · Adults: ¥500; students: ¥400; children: free. For special exhibits: adults: ¥1,400; students: ¥1,000; children: ¥500

Toei Kyoto Studio Park

東映太秦映画村 tōei uzumasa eigamura

Toei Kyoto Studio Park is an active film studio which continues to be used for the filming of period dramas. Visitors may visit the outdoor sets used in many samurai movies, and if they are lucky, could potentially observe the filming of a period drama.

09:30 - 16:30 · ¥2,200

Iwatayama Monkey Park

A great place for those looking to get away from the abundance of temples and shrines in the city, feeding the macaque monkeys atop the mountain is worth the entrance fee (and the demanding 20-minute climb!). Don't bring food up with you, though - peanuts and apple slices are on sale inside the shack on top of the mountains, and the monkeys are well aware of it. There's a pond next to the shack, and the monkeys seem particularly fond of the keeper's motorcycle, which is usually parked there. If you manage to pull yourself away from watching them, the mountain has a nice view of Kyoto as well.

Daily 09:00-16:00 · ¥550 to enter the park, ¥250 for children 4–15; peanuts cost extra, but you know the monkeys appreciate it

Nijō-Jinya

二条陣屋

A private residence, Nijo-Jinya is a former samurai house. Tours discuss the roles of samurai and the dangers experienced during that time period. The house features unique trap doors and escape routes used by samurai and former residents to escape fires and attacks. Guided tours are available in Japanese by a family member of the current residents. You are welcome to bring an interpreter.

Daily 10:00-16:00

Toei Kyoto Studio Park

東映太秦映画村, tōei uzumasa eiga mura

An active film studio built by the Toei Company, one of Japan's largest entertainment companies. The highlight is the backlot with recreated Edo-period streets, where many period dramas (時代劇 jidaigeki) were filmed, and continues to be in active use so you may catch a filming session going on if you're lucky. Also has many shows and exhibits about filming techniques, as well as plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied, provided of course they can speak and understand Japanese.

Hozu River Cruise

To experience Arashiyama to the fullest, the river cruise is your best bet! A variety of boats, small or large, both rowed and motored, are waiting on either side of the river. Be sure to confirm how far and for how long the trip goes, though. Some are as long as two hours, and others will do a quick turnaround in less than twenty minutes. Be prepared to get splashed and take appropriate precautions for electronic equipment. The drop off point sets you down just outside the entrance to Iwatayama Monkey Park, a great location to begin your stroll around the sights of Arashiyama.

Departures run from mid March to the end of November roughly on the hour starting at 09:00. Last boat leaves at 15:30. During the winter boats with heated seats leave at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30 · ¥3,900 for adults, ¥ 2,500 for children

Kiyomizu Temple

清水寺

This temple complex, with its spectacular location overlooking the city, is a deservedly popular attraction, approached by either of two tourist-filled souvenir-shop-lined streets, Kiyomizu-zaka or Chawan-zaka.

Daily: 06:00–18:00 (varies, check website) · ¥400 adults, ¥200 children 6–15 years

Oharano Shrine

大原野神社 Ōharano jinja

The shrine is believed to have been moved to Nagaokakyo at the bidding of Empress Kammu, who made it the shrine of the Fujiwara family's guardian god. The Imperial Court made annual offerings at this shrine. The pond within the shrine precincts was once a popular place for writing poetry. The Sengan-zakura tree in the precincts is nicknamed "phantom cherry blossom", because it only blooms for just 2-3 days. Some say if you see it in bloom, it will bring you good luck. Because the area is removed from the inner city, the shrine is quite peaceful; it is not unusual to have the entire place to yourself.

Always open · Free

Yoshimine-dera

善峯寺

In 1034 Emperor Go-Ichijo gave Yoshimine-dera imperial rank, so the head priest was a member of the imperial family for many years, although it is no longer so today. The 20th temple on the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage.

Daily 08:00-17:00 · ¥400 (¥500 during special exhibit)

Tōji-in

等持院

Dedicated to the Ashikaga family, the statues inside represent each Ashikaga ruler. The temple also features a lovely garden.

Daily 08:00-16::30 · ¥500

京都アクアリーナ

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The Third Planet

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