What to see in Kyoto: the best-known sights
The best-known places in Kyoto, ordered by how much interest they draw around the world, with a short summary of each.
A list built from open Wikipedia and Wikidata data, ordered by how much interest the places draw around the world. Check opening hours and prices before you go.
Kiyomizu-dera
buddhist temple
Kiyomizu-dera is a Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Kita-Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism and its honzon is a hibutsu statue of Jūichimen Kannon.
Kyoto, Japan
Kinkaku-ji
japanese gardenbuddhist temple
Kinkaku-ji , officially named Rokuon-ji , is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan and a tourist attraction.
Kyoto, Japan
Fushimi Inari-taisha
shinto shrineinari shrine
Fushimi Inari-taisha is the head shrine of the kami Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Kyoto, Japan
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
cultural heritage
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto encompasses 17 locations in Japan within the city of Kyoto and its immediate vicinity.
Kyoto, Japan
Mount Hiei
mountainsacred mountain
Mount Hiei is a mountain to the northeast of Kyoto, lying on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures, Japan.
Kyoto, Japan
Arashiyama
mountain
Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan. It also refers to the mountain across the Ōi River, which forms a backdrop to the district.
Kyoto, Japan
Ginkaku-ji
japanese gardenbuddhist temple
Ginkaku-ji , officially named Jishō-ji , is a Zen temple in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the constructions that represent the Higashiyama Culture of the Muromachi period.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto Imperial Palace
royal palace
The Kyōto Imperial Palace , also known as Dairi or Kinri, is the former palace of the Emperor of Japan from 1331 to 1869 located in Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Kyoto, Japan
Ryōan-ji
buddhist temple
Ryōan-ji is a Zen temple located in northwest Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Myōshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism.
Kyoto, Japan
Enryaku-ji
buddhist temple
Enryaku-ji is a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, overlooking Kyoto.
Kyoto, Japan
Tō-ji
buddhist temple
a. the Kyō-ō-gokoku-ji is a Shingon Buddhist temple in the Minami-ku ward of Kyoto, Japan.
Kyoto, Japan
Nijō Castle
japanese castle
Nijō Castle is a flatland castle in Kyoto, Japan. The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several gardens.
Kyoto, Japan
Texts and photos come from Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, generally under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license: the author and license of each text and photo are on the article page linked at each place. Place data from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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