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Kyoto travel guide – What to see

Kyoto is one of the kind places where you can travel back in time through the old districts and temples in every direction. There is a lot to cover in the city so you better plan to stay multiple days.

Here is a map of the most interesting places in Kyoto. Have fun planning and exploring this beautiful city!

Let’s talk about a few of them in a bit more detail.

1, Mt. Daimonji

The best view over the city, sunsets were amazing during spring from this viewpoint despite the hell lot of flies and mosquitoes. Pretty easy hike with lots of small stairs, nothing special.

2, Kinkaku-Ji temple

Or in another name the Golden temple which is more widely known most likely. Indeed a beautiful temple and garden next to a small lake.

3, Ninna-Ji temple

This place isn’t that well known around tourists, but a lovely spot especially during sakura season with the gorgeous garden. If you are lucky then you will be able to see monks doing their usual ceremony around the temple.

Japanese monks during ceremony at Nannaji temple Kyoto

4, Fushimi Inari Taisha

One of the most famous spots in Kyoto with endless torii gates all around. If you visit, be prepared to spend half or even the whole day here and make sure you climb up and around the mountain as well.

I have visited the temple at least four times. Once, in the early morning while I was enjoying and taking photographs from the empty place I was lucky to meet with the Guinness World Record holder marathon runner Nishi Hajime. It was a great talk with him that morning!

Sunset in Fushi Inari, Kyoto, Japan

5, Tetsugaku No Michi

The more known name is the Philosopher’s Path. This is indeed a path, next to a really small river with cute bridges on it and full of cherry trees on the side all the way. I can’t tell you how beautiful it is during the sakura season when all of them are blooming!

6, Arashiyama bamboo forest

I don’t think I need to say anything about the most famous spot in Kyoto. It is breathtaking to walk through the bamboo forest, but honestly, it isn’t the best at all.

7, Kimono forest

This is less known though it is at an obvious spot. When you get off at the last station going to Arashiyama, it is right next to the station and during the night they lit them up!

8, Urban exploring

There is an abandoned building on the outskirts of the city, next to a river where you can find an old working piano but it’s kinda sketchy to get inside and out as well. But please be careful and visit this place at your own risk. Also, please keep the place as you found it so others can enjoy it as well!

Black and white Yamaha piano

9, Gion

The geisha district. A gorgeous area with all the old buildings and not to be surprised this is the place where you can find a geisha walking around or just simple tourists dressing in kimono.

10, Kyoto station

There is a cool light show going on the upper floors at the staircase. Each of them is a few minutes long with a song. It’s pretty cool!

11, Keage Incline

Old train tracks with cherry trees on the sides. Perfect spot for a photoshoot during sakura season.

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