The Best Places to Start Your Day in Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine is probably the most iconic place in Kyoto. Its long, dense tunnels of vermillion gates attract visitors all year long. The temple is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and has been in Kyoto since the 8th century. The grounds of the temple probably won’t be too crowded, but the hiking trail will be packed with people trying to get the perfect photo of the torii gates.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Fushimi-ku Fukakusa Yabunouchi cho 68

0756417331

[Prayer] 8:30-16:30※Please …

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Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Another stunning sight is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. A 500 meter path cuts through the thick forest of bamboo that can reach as high as 30 meters. While 500 meters isn’t very far, this trail can become overwhelmed, as this is one of the most popular destinations in the area. The trail runs from Tenryu-ji Temple and Arashiyama’s main street. Entrance to the forest is free and visitors can walk the path at any time, night or day, but there aren’t any lights along the path.

Bamboo Forest Street

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Ukyo-ku

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Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion

Japan is mostly known for its Shinto temples, but Buddhism has also featured prominently in the country since the 6th century. Kinkaku-ji is one of Kyoto’s most recognizable Buddhist temples and is designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sight. It’s easy to see how Kinkaku-ji, which translates to “Golden Pavilion,” got its name. The temple’s 2nd and 3rd floors are actually covered with gold leaf. This location lends itself to an early morning outing, especially in the fall. The gold of the temple is complemented by the early morning light and the bright red maple trees growing in the surrounding forest.

Rokuon-ji Temple (Kinkaku-ji Temple)

4.5

28 Reviews

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kita-ku Kinkakujichou 1

0754610013

[Opening hours for worship]9…

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Kiyomizu-dera

Founded more than 1,200 years ago, Kiyomizu-dera is another temple with World Cultural Heritage status worth checking out before the crowds show up. The temple features a wooden platform that rises over the hill the temple stands on, giving you a great view of the forest below. There are several attractions at the temple that bring people from near and far, including the Otowa Waterfall, which is said to give luck to people who drink from its waters; a statue of the deity, Kannon; and the Jishu Shrine, a place built in honor of the deity of matchmaking.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

4.0

57 Reviews

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Kiyomizu 1-294

0755511234

[Gates open] 6:00 [Gates shu…

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Kimono Forest

On your way to visit Arashiyama’s bamboo forest, there’s another unique forest you can stop at. The Kimono Forest is just outside Arashiyama Station. At night, it’s lit up and during the day, the vibrant colors don’t need any help. The Kimono Forest is actually an art installation created by Yasumichi Morita during a revitalization project in 2013. It consists of 600 pillars covered with fabric that mimics traditional kimono designs. At night, the pillars are illuminated by lights inside the pillars, so this site can be enjoyed at night as well.

キモノフォレスト

京都府京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺造路町35-28

0758732121

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