Attractions in Kyoto

A UNESCO-listed temple famous for its enormous wooden stage jutting 13 meters over the hillside, supported by 139 pillars without a single nail.

Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) is a Zen Buddhist temple whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Its reflection in the mirror pond is one of Japan's most iconic images.

Head shrine of 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan, famous for approximately 10,000 vermillion torii gates winding 4 km up Mount Inari.

A magnificently preserved castle built in 1603 as the Kyoto residence of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Its opulent interiors and ingenious security features showcase shogunal power.

The Silver Pavilion — a Zen temple embodying wabi-sabi, beauty in imperfection. Despite its name, it was never covered in silver.

The guardian shrine of Gion, epicenter of the Gion Matsuri — Japan's most famous festival held annually throughout July.

One of Kyoto's oldest shrines, nestled within Tadasu no Mori — a primeval forest at the junction of the Kamo and Takano rivers.

A vast Rinzai Zen compound with 24 sub-temples, several featuring exquisite dry landscape gardens and tea rooms.

One of Kyoto's most important Zen temples, ranked at the top of the Five Mountain system. Its massive gate and atmospheric brick aqueduct are uniquely photogenic.

One of Kyoto's oldest Shinto shrines, a UNESCO site known for its distinctive paired conical sand mounds.

Kyoto's shrine to learning with 2,000 plum trees and the role as the original Tenmangu shrine, model for thousands across Japan.

Byodo-in's Phoenix Hall is depicted on the 10-yen coin. This UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uji represents the peak of Heian Buddhist architecture.

A revered Pure Land Buddhist temple famous for spectacular autumn foliage illumination events.

Houses 1,001 life-size gilded Kannon statues in ten rows within the longest wooden building in Japan (120 meters).

Home to Japan's most famous rock garden — 15 stones arranged so only 14 are visible from any single vantage point. A 500-year-old Zen masterpiece.

Houses Japan's tallest wooden pagoda at 57 meters, a UNESCO World Heritage Site visible from much of southern Kyoto.

One of Kyoto's great Zen complexes, renowned for the most spectacular autumn foliage in the city. The view from Tsutenkyo bridge is legendary.

The highest-ranking of Kyoto's Five Great Zen Temples, famous for its 14th-century garden using shakkei (borrowed scenery) from the Arashiyama mountains.