When it comes to Asia, Kyoto has its praises, and most travelers make a stop here to enjoy the rich culture and everything it has to offer. You will never run out of things to do and places to visit while in Kyoto, and below are some of its top destinations;
The Golden Pavilion: Kinkaku-ji
Kyoto has been named the City of a Thousand Shrines because of the multiple temples it hosts, but the Golden Pavilion is by far the most picturesque of them all. Its history dates back to the 14th century and the now turned Buddhist temple was initially built as a retirement villa. Kinkaku-ji acquired its name, ‘The Golden Pavilion’, from the golden leaf attached to its top. It is one of a kind landmark, built over a pond with some of the best views from the first and second floors.
Nijo Castle
There is so much to learn about the history of some of the most powerful Japanese individuals in the Nijo Castle. Built in 1603, the complex contains several other building graced by beautiful artwork. The Nijo Castle seats at the central of Kyoto with Higashi Otemon as the main entrance and Ninomaru Palace as the most important building.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
If you are visiting Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the must go places and one of the things that make it a unique place is that it is lined with over 5,000 red tori, also known as shrine gates. The shrine is dedicated to the god of rice and business, Inari, and the shrine gates lead up to the mountains with some of the most beautiful views of the city. Also, the shrine is well lit during the night, making it the best time of the day to visit it.
Kyoto Imperial Palace
If you know some Japanese history, then you already know that palaces were major architectural structures in medieval times. The Kyoto Imperial Palace was a few times destroyed by fire but rebuilt to its present-day structure. The Palace can be accessed through a guided tour through the Imperial Household Agency but the grounds can be visited at any time of the day.
The Kyoto National Museum
The pre-modern art-focused museum was established in 1897 and is one of the most esteemed Japanese Museums. Find time to explore the newly renovated museum and enjoy different applied and historic arts that the world-class museum boasts. Also, stop over at the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art to see artworks by some of Japan’s leading artists of all times.
Katsura Imperial Villa
The Katsura Imperial Villa boasts one of the most historic gardens in Japan and has magnificent architecture despite the fact that it was constructed in 1624. The Miyuki-mon gates which are a major highlight of the villa as well as the multiple garden paths make Katsura Imperial a one of a kind experience. You can check out Treksplorer for reviews on the best places to stay and read these insiders tips for more information.Â
Looking for even more? Visit these top instagram spots in Tokyo and find out!
