Ancient Kyoto

Visit date(s): May 1999, October 10, 11, 15, 2024

Nearby sites on trip: Ancient Nara (1999)

Overnight location: Kyoto 

Location(s):  

• Ginkaku ji (1999)
• Ryoan-ji (1999)
• Nijo-jo (1999, gotta love that floor)
• Hongan-ji (nishi-) (October 10) (photo)
• Enryaku-ji (October 11)
• Kamigamo Shrine (October 15)
• Shimogamo Shrine (October 15)

Travel method(s): Foot, train, funicular, cable car, taxi, subway, bus

Travel duration: Minutes, to over an hour for each

Visit duration: 1-3 hours / location

OUV: This is a large collection of exceptionally preserved buildings. In comparison to Hiraizumi, there are many more buildings, but both have very beautiful gardens. Remarkably, these buildings are still used for their original purposes, hundreds of years later. We will continue to visit.

Best of:

Much to our delight, Hongan-ji has a nightingale floor, like Nijo-jo. With the technology changes over the last 25 years, we now have a recording of this gentle chirping. It was one of my most vivid memories after the first visit.

We also really enjoyed the round trip to Enryaku-ji. This involved a train, a walk, a funicular, a walk to and around the temple and across the mountain ridge, a ropeway, a cable car, a taxi, another walk and a subway train. This was a very varied and pleasant way to spend a day.

Shimigamo and Kamigamo shrines are connected by the Kamo river and the walking route between them is …

The amount of locations this WHS has might seem first very overwhelming. Which ones to visit when you have only limited time in Kyoto? Especially when considering how much other stuff there is to see and do in Kyoto! I had 2 full days and a morning to explore Kyoto in November 2024 and I think I got good sample of what this WHS offers.

On the first full day in Kyoto I started my day in Arashiyama district and visited Tenryu-ji temple and the social media famous bamboo forest next to it. The temple is most famous for its garden (pictured) and it was my favourite of all the gardens I visited in Kyoto. As it was late November the autumn foliage was very pretty. I bought the ticket that only included visit to the garden, I didn't visit inside the temple itself and I don't think that would have added much to the visit. There were a lot of tourists at the temple, probably most lured there by the next door Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. From Arashiyama I took the small train to Ninna-ji temple. This was the calmest temple I visited in Kyoto, as it seems that all the tour groups skip it. You are first greeted by the massive and impressive gate when you arrive from the train station. The ticket includes visit to the Shinden, which was the residence of the head priest. Shinden was partly in renovation during my visit. Shinden has 2 beautiful …

Across a week in Kyoto I hit up nine of the sites making up this World Heritage Site. Of those, only Saiho-ji has escaped comment on this site. It was one of my must-do sites and didn't disappoint. Until recently (I suspect being part of the reason it's been avoided by this community) visitors have had to send a postcard to the temple, but this has fortunately changed in recent years to allow online booking. I procrastinated until a few nights before and was still able to get a slot that worked for me, though the early time did necessitate getting a taxi all the way from Higashiyama. Entry is linked to a timed slot, but once you get in you have a fair bit of freedom. In the main hall you're provided with a sutra and a calligraphy brush with which to trace. It's a very soothing experience and I was able to enjoy the spiritual angle a bit deeper than in other elements of the WHS. With that done you can pass back through the main hall, get a surprisingly quirky goshuin if that's your thing (I recommend it, it's an art book and diary of your religious visits all in one!), and then proceed to the famous moss garden. It goes without saying that it's absolutely beautiful, especially whenever the sun cuts through the branches of the trees and bounces against the central shallow lake.

Quickly covering the other sites I visited - Kinkaku-ji is the …

My trip to Kyoto in October of 2023 was really one of the highlights of my two week adventure in Japan. I timed my trip to coincide with the Jidai Matsuri and Kobo Dashi flea market, which were both great experiences that I can't recommend more. I also had a great time collecting goshuin stamps from all the temples and shrines as a fun souvenir. Here's my review of every temple that i managed to visit under this WHS. 

Ginkaku-ji: This one was really enjoyable, especially as the culmination of the fun Philosopher's Path. It was raining when we visited, which meant it was thankfully not crowded, and it lent to moody pictures of the main pagoda. Ekiando, although not on the whs, was along the same path and deserves a shout out. 

To-ji: The main attractions were the tall pagoda and the lively Kobo Dashi market. To be honest, I have more memories of buying a clay tea pot here then of the actual temple itself lol. There was a lady selling "American muffins" which honestly looked just like the muffins from costco. 

Ninna-ji: This one was suprsingly quiet, which was a nice change from the crowded To-ji. The garden area was really nice but it was also partially under construction so that took away from the historical immersion for me personally. I'm sure that it will look spectacular when it is done though! They also gave me a world heritage themed shoe bag which was …

Maybe it is not the best itinerary to start a Japan trip with one of its absolute highlights, Ancient Kyoto, and end it with the Mozu-Furuichi Tumuli. And I usually prefer to plan my trips with a top destination in the end. On the other hand, Kyoto was a perfect introduction to Japanese culture, architecture and food.
In September 2019, I spent five days in Kyoto, including a half day trip to Himeji-jo. I managed to visit 12 and a half of the 17 inscribed locations, I only left out the three northernmost sites – Kamigamo Shrine, Enryakuji, Kozanji – and Saiho-ji (which requires pre-booking). At first, I was a little worried about the busy schedule - three temples a day - and was prepared to skip a couple of sites, if necessary. Quite the contrary, not a bit of “getting templed-out”, I really enjoyed exploring all of these temples and shrines.

First, a few comments on the individual sites (in the order of my visits):

Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion: the view of the pavilion with the pond in the foreground is iconic, and probably every visitor to Kyoto has taken this photo. However, there is not much else to see, and the interior was closed to the public, so all in all a little overrated.
The Zen temple Ryoan-ji was one of my favorites, it is most famous for the minimalist rock garden.
Ninnan-ji was a pleasant surprise. I was most impressed by the huge Nio-mon gate …

WHS#3

Kyoto is the first WHS that I've had the chance to visit in 2 different trips. I first visited this amazing city on a day trip from Tokyo in May 2012, visiting just 2 out of the 17 WHS component sites, namely Kinkakuji and Kiyomizu-dera, probably the 2 most popular to visit. When I came back to Japan in December 2019, I knew I had to refresh my Kyoto experience, so I ended up coming back to Kyoto on a day trip from Osaka and visited 3 more sites in Kozanji, Ninnaji, and Nijo-jo. Kyoto as a WHS is a bit disconnected, as it's a predominantly modern city, but no one can deny how remarkable and evident its historic heritage is. The city is home to over a thousand temples, and out of those, only 13 are recognized as part of the WHS, which does sometimes raise the question of why this, why not that? Well, the best answer I can give to that is just this: Each component site has it's own individual OUV that makes it a good representation of the diversity of heritage in Kyoto. Of course, that's not to say that none of the other temples don't have individual value, but this just seems to be a defining characteristic for each of the inscribed sites. Now, without further ado, let's dive into each one.

Kinkakuji and Kiyomizu-dera are definitely highlights of the Kyoto WHS, at least for the touristic perspective. Kinkakuji's Golden Pavilion …

Even staying for 2 weeks in Kyoto, I still didn't manage to visit all of the city's temples, but for those that I did visit, they each present different, unique landscapes and buildings to wander through - and that is the way I found myself, wandering slowly in a sort of otherworldly revelry, admiring every little detail which had been created, from the ponds to the pagodas.

Obviously, as possibly the most famous temple in Kyoto, Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion) is especially busy, so expect to wait about 10 minutes to get the pond edge for that perfect photograph. You can expect a decent number of people around each major temple in the city, even if it isn't UNESCO listed.

Though not as impressive as Kinkaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji (The Silver Pavilion), is a place I highly recommend visiting. The complex sits at the foot of the mountains and so feels more secluded than many of the other sites, and it is an exemplary display of the Japanese landscape design which is famous across the city.

Enryaku-ji, though harder to access (one must drive or take the train to Sakamoto, then take the Funicular up the mountain) is perhaps the most surreal place I have ever visited. There is very little sound except for the periodic ringing of the peace bell, and the clouds often settle around the height of the temple, creating a misty aura, as if you've stepped into another world. Most people will only visit the …

No single description or image can encapsulate the sheer beauty of Kyoto's ancient temples. On the one hand, it's a large and fast-paced modern city and that surprised me. I was taken aback when walking through shiny metal buildings and city blocks to find my guesthouse. But once you realize that Kyoto is a modern city with an ancient history preserved within several districts of the city, it's easier to find the fascinating areas and the deep history. 

I spent four full days exploring the city and about 10 hours per day of that was spent just walking and navigating to the many things on offer. And while that may seem like a lot, the temples and gardens are diverse and unique, meaning you don't reach temple fatigue quite as much as you might in other areas. Since the city was founded 794 AD, the temples range through a large span of history, meaning the styles, architecture, and aesthetics are all very different.  

I walked the vast majority of the Northern and Southern Higashiyama Districts, as well as the Arashiyama district, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Gion District, too. Out of all of that, my favorite temples were: 

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
• Shoren-in Temple
• Chion-in Temple
• Honen-in Temple
• Hiking behind the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine

And Nara is an easy day trip from the city, so it's worth heading there for one of your Kyoto days as well! 

I visited this site in 2007.

Like many of the European world heritage sites which encompass an entire city (Paris, Rome, etc) Kyoto is probably the grandest and most encompassing world heritage site in Japan.

Kyoto was specifically spared bombing in WWII by the allies because of its history. Unfortunately, many of the buildings did not survive the post-WWII modernization fervor in Japan.

Nonetheless, there is plenty to see in Kyoto and you can easily spend several days in the city viewing historic shrines and temples.

This is a must see for any tour of Japan.

Read more about the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto on my website.

Within the city, there are 17 specific places that have been designated as part of the official Kyoto listing on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It’s impossible to see them all in a day. I think you’d be hard pressed to see them all in three days even. If you’re the kind of person who likes to explore things in depth then you’ll need to leave yourself enough time to properly understand a city as culturally-rich as Kyoto.

I gave myself just one day in Kyoto, which I now regret. It’s easy to get templed-out in this region of Japan and I fear that was beginning to happen to me. But I still managed to see some of the most important temples and shrines… and finished the day, as the sun set, at the most beautiful of all the sights, Kiyomizu-dera.

I went to Kyoto in February 2016. Of the 4 WHSs I took in on my Japan trip, Kyoto captured the essence of Japanese heritage the best for me. A good point to get your bearing and view many of the temples is the rather expensive Kyoto Observation Tower. Also note that the famous Fushimi Inari shrine is NOT inscribed, though is still fun to visit.

Byodo-in: We took the Nara line 30 minutes out of Kyoto to Uji station, where it seemed that every other shop was a specialist in matcha. Byodo-in temple is surrounded by a tranquil pool of water. This was the first time on our trip that we were required to take off our shoes, which is something you will find very often when visiting Japanese cultural sites. The museum includes 52 wooden bodhisattvas, which seem vaguely similar to angels in Christianity.

Ujigami-jinja: across the wide Uji river from Byodo-in is this small guardian shrine. It was the lowest-key and the quietest of the sites we visited in the Greater Kyoto area. So quiet, in fact, that it joined the select list of World Heritage Sites at which we have found ourselves to be the only visitors.

Kyo-o-gokoku-ji (To-ji): a short distance from Kyoto’s main railway station in the centre of town, Toji temple is home to the tallest pagoda in Japan. The site features a couple of single-storey buildings too: the Kodo (lecture hall) and Kondo (main hall). Each of these contains a selection of …

I visited this WHS in November 2009. The highlight of my visit was surely the Golden Pavilion and the surrounding Japanese gardens. It was the centre of Japanese culture for more than 1000 years and the imperial capital of Japan. Surely, one of Japan's top WHS.

Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for almost 1000 years and still remains the cultural center of the country.

I have spent 4 days visiting Kyoto amazing world heritage listed buildings. I have visited 11 sites out of 17. Among them, those that really astonished me are Nijo jo castle with its imperial palace, full of decorated rooms, Kinkaku ji with the Golden Pavilion and To ji with its 5 story pagoda which is the tallest one in Japan. Kyoto is the heart of Japan and houses some of the finest testimonies of ancient Asian architecture with its shrines, temples, palaces and zen gardens. The place is amazing and full of splendorous treasures.

The image shows Nijo Jo castle (exterior white fortifications and interior buildings), Kiyomizu Dera entrance gate, To Ji pagoda, Byodo In temple and Kinkaku Ji Golden Pavillon.

Bicycles are a convenient transportation alternative. Nearly all sites except Kiyomizu-dera have free bicycle parking. With a mountain bike it is possible to visit all interesting sites east of the river in one day. Use the paths parallel to the river to avoid traffic. You can even reach Fushimi Inari Taisha in 20 minutes or so from Gion.

Ginkaku-ji was undergoing some small renovation but was still one of my favorites. I also loved Byôdô-in Uji.

I experienced the people of Kyoto to be overwhelmingly friendly – from curious passengers in city buses to the staff of the excellent tourist information in Kyoto station.

Kyoto is a truly unique place. Don't miss places like Sanjûsangen-dô and Fushimi Inari Taisha (although those are not WHS).

I visited Kyoto in April at cherry blossom time - husband was an invited guest and we were taken around the city by Japanese people. This is a rare time to see the city because all the streets and shrines are surrounded by cherry blossoms. One shrine we visited had 2,000 cherry trees in bloom and it is a tradition for the Japanese to spread blankets under them and get drunk and sing--their version of tailgating! The grounds of the Golden Shrine sits over the water and is 1,500 years old. The landscaping there is beautiful and one can see the shrine from many angles. One bonsai tree was over 800 years old and shaped like a ship.

I went to Kyoto 2 summers ago as a 3 week study abroad program for my University. it was one of the most experiences of my life. Here I saw things that I had previously only seen in the textbooks of my Arts of Japan class. Kinkakuji Temple stands out in my mind due to the fact that even if you are a terrible photographer, you just can't take a bad photo of this site. It is gorgeous! One note for the inexperienced traveller, be prepared to see some of the most incredible gardens. Every temple has a spectacular garden that deserves some film space. One thing I remember is that hydrangea bushes are common and the Japanese red maple is a staple. Also be prepared for Japanese high school students. Nearly every major temple I went to had a huge group of high school or elementary school kids. Especially if you are an American male, these kids will take interest and often ask help on an English assignment. They are very cute and sometimes if they gather the courage, they will ask for a picture. Also take off your shoes before entering some of the temples. Also don't worry about rude Japanese because for the most part they are very polite towards foriegners so don't worry about how bad your Japanese is because they are fairly understanding.

I managed to see all except on the list of 17. Missed the Saiho-ji (moss temple)and Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei. Otherwise, everything was memorable, but some places more than others. The ones in Kyoto I'd recommend are: Ginkaku-ji, Nijo-jo, Daigo-ji (Sampo-in), Nanzen-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, To-ji (especially for the flea market on the 21st of every month), Kitano Tenman-gu (also has a flea market on the 25th of the month), Ryoan-ji (if you can tolerate crowds), and the Kamigamo & Shimgamo Shrines along the Kamo River. In Uji City: Byodo-in and the Ujigama Shrines. That only leaves three you could pass over, and another two I didn't get to visit.

The bus inside Kyoto is convenience but their speed are slow. I suggest to go to Higashiyama region. Visit Kiyomizu Temple and follow the route of philosophy until Ginkakuji Temple. The best time is in April and the cherry blossom on the route of philosophy.

I have spent a great deal of time in Kyoto and it never ceases to break my heart.

The city itself is an utter monstrosity, a nightmare mess of urban planning.

There are some wonderful spots in the city, but these are marred by the city itself. Many of the temples, gardens and shrines are almost ruined by tacky souvenir stalls that seem to dog this country's tourist sites.

I have visited virtually all of the temples and sites inscribed on the list and would recommend the following:- (1)Byodo-In, one of the few remaing Heian period buildings left in Japan. It is a real gem. (2) Enryaku-Ji. A wonderful mountain-top temple that has beautiful views over Lake Biwa. (3) Nijo-Jo. One of the most outstanding palaces remaining in Japan.

The most visited temple is Kinkaku-Ji - the Gold Pavillion. I find this place rather gaudy and overdone. It is a relatively recent creation, built in 1955 after the original was burnt down.

Nishi-Hongan-Ji is currently undergoing a massive face-lift and rebuilding project. The Kondo Hall will be off limits for several years.

Ginkaku-Ji (The Silver Pavillion) is looking a bit worse for wear these days and could use a lick of paint.

Re-building is something that always has to be born in mind with Japanese temples - what you are looking at may be advertised as being 700 years old, but it could easily be a modern re-construction.

After two visits I still only have seen a fraction of all the temples in Kyoto. Most remarkable are the big differences between them (probably caused by the fact that they were built during several periods within the long heydays of Kyoto).

For a first-time visitor I would recommend Ginkaku-ji (the Silver Pavillion), Ryoan-ji (to sample a fine Zen garden) and Daitoku-ji (no worldheritage status, but a lovely complex to walk around).