Kyoto Things to Do

In the extreme southwest of Kyoto, situated on a hill, this Buddhist temple also goes by the name of matsu no tera or Pine Tree Temple. It gets this name from a 600-year-old pine tree, two branches of which have been trained to... more

Emperor Daigo [r. 890-930] built Kaju-ji on a site where his mother's family had previously lived, so that prayers could be offered to her in her after-life. Beginning in 942, imperial princes lived at Kaju-ji, although now the... more

Shodenji, as at Entsuji, Joju-in and Shugakuin Imperial Villa, has a garden featuring shakkei or "borrowed scenery". As at Entsuji, the garden uses Mount Hiei as a backdrop to a contemplation garden but here the similarity ends... more

What we can see today is the vermilion gate, the main hall, one teahouse and the kitchen, the vestiges of this former major complex. This temple was established in 1616 for the education of Nichiren priests by the son of Koetsu... more

Noteworthy for its many quaint tea houses and characterized by its distinctive hedged bamboo fences, one--called the Daikyo-an--is believed to have been designed by the artist Koetsu Hon'ami [1558-1637], the founder of the Rimp... more

Located in the lower part of the Daigoji complex is Kyoto's oldest wooden building, a pagoda that dates back to 951. It was constructed with backing by Emperor Suzaku and is dedicated to his predecessor, Emperor Daigo; it has b... more

Even with its startling concrete torii gate, this small, charming shrine in the middle of Sagano is a popular must-see, especially for Japanese women. Literature specialists will be familiar with the Japanese classic The Tale o... more

Jikkoin is noted for its rustic entry gate featuring wooden tiles on the roof. The often skipped-over temple has imperial tombs which are the final resting place of two exiled emperors: Juntoku who died in 1242 and was No. 84 (... more

A large walled complex of Zen temples, and sub-temples originating in the fourteenth century, which have undergone extensive restoration and rebuilding over time. Daitokuji is famed for the aesthetic beauty of its gardens and f... more

Operated by Toei, one of Japan's largest movie makers, Uzumasa Movie Village or Kyoto Studio Park is the Japanese equivalent of Universal Studios. The impressive sets for historical dramas have ninja shows and give a glimpse of... more