Unique Things To See In Kyoto Japan

An Overview of Kyoto

Tucked in the Kansai region of Japan is one of the country’s most beautiful cities. Kyoto is utterly immersed in Japanese history, containing roughly a forth of the country’s national treasures, religious sites, Shinto shrines and important temples. There are seventeen sites within the city listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kyoto remains the de facto cultural and spiritual capital of Japan, with much of the city extraordinarily well-preserved. With so many preserved structures and compelling landmarks, there are many unique things to see in Kyoto.

Advice While Visiting Kyoto

There are many attractions within Kyoto, with a fair number of the legendary temples and tourist attractions costing a small fee to enter. While these costs aren’t overwhelming, they can add up quickly. Consider focusing on preferred attractions and free attractions first.

Pay attention to the seasons when visiting Kyoto. Much of the region’s ambiance depends on the weather, and there are different festivals throuhgout the year which may draw crowds.

Keep in mind that Kyoto is an old-design Japanese city, meaning most of the urban spaces are walkable. A person on foot can visit most of Kyoto in a day or so.

Bear in mind that while Kyoto’s temples are what makes the city famous, there are other, modern attractions within the city as well.

Finally, be sure to wear shoes that can be easily removed. When entering homes, temples and sacred sites, shoes are expected to be removed.

Note that many structures in Kyoto require a valid ID when entering. Be sure to bring a passport.

Unique Things To See In Kyoto Japan

17 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites

As mentioned above, Kyoto is home to 17 registered UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. These sites alone can provide a worthy journey around Kyoto. The sites are listed in bullet points at the bottom of this page.

Rengeoin Sanjusangendo

This amazing Buddhist Temple following the Tendai sect is home to 1,001 life-sized carved wooden statues depicting the goddess Kannon,

Higashiyama Ward

Higashiyama-ku is the extrodinary, well-preserved historic district of Kyoto. The buildings are wood-built around narrow lanes, bordered by traditional tea houses and local restaurants serving kaiseki meals. Some points of interest in this area include the lantern-ringed Yasaka Shrine, the hill-propped temple of Kiyomizudera and Maruyama Park.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

This shrine is an important Shinto shrine famed for it’s long tunnel created from thousands of bright crimson torii gates straddling a system of trails behind the main building. The trails eventually lead to the woodlands around sacred Mount Inari. Inari, the Shinto god of rice, is associated with foxes, who operate as messengers.

Kiyomizu-dera

This is a wonderful, famed wooden Buddhist temple found in eastern Kyoto. The temple is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The temple is associated with a bizarre and dangerous tradition, involving people jumping off the elevated terrace attatched to the temple. Legends state that survivors of the leap would have their wishes come true. The temple, especially impressive in the autumn foliage or at night, overlooks Kyoto’s historic district.

Sanneizaka

Sannenzaka, or Sannen-zaka is a beautiful stone-paved, pedestrian Japanese shopping area with lots of wall art in the area. The road is iconic for its traditional buildings, shops, stalls and designs. The road is often linked with the similar nearby pedestrian route of Ninenzaka.

Nijo Castle

This is one of the best-known castles in Japan, due to it’s vitality in the development and imperial importance of Kyoto. Widely considered one of the more complete Japanese castle complexes in the country, the castle is a sharp representation of the shogun during the Edo Period (1603-1867). The castle grounds include old defensive fortifications, ornate gardens, moats and imperial artifacts.

Pontocho Alley

This is a famous narrow dining alley, known for it’s atmospheric and traditional eateries. It’s arguably one of the most scenic streets in Kyoto, with wooden storefronts, quiet pathways and red lanterns. The area is known as a good place to spot professional geisha.

Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku Shrine

This is a unique Shinto Shrine built in honor of Japan’s heroes, especially those from the Bakumatsu period and the Meiji Restoration. The shine is the venerated burial site for the legendary samurai Sakamoto Ryōma and Nakaoka Shintarō. For visitors, the shrine is especially engaging, as it offers written English instructions coaching guests on how to properly address and enter a Japanese temple.

Yokai Monster Street

Otherwise known as Taishogun Shopping Street or the Ichijo Yokai Street, this is a long shopping avenue where many monsters stand guard outside shops. The local community began creating strange creatures and monster masks to decorate this avenue, eventually snowballing into a tradition.

Nishiki Market

This is a large marketplace in downtown Kyoto, famed for rich history, traditional foods and locally-made goods. Some of the more famous meals which can be found here include Kyoto’s Japanese sweets, Beef Sushi, matcha sweets and soy milk doughnuts.

Higashi-Honganji Temple

This was an influential Buddhist temple in Kyoto which served alongside the Nishi Honganji Temple. The temples were once a single complex until they were divided by shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was wary of their combined political influence. The temple hosts a one of the most unique things to see in Kyoto: thick ropes made entirely from human hair.

Arashiyama Sagano Musical Bamboo Forest

This forest is home to towering bamboo plants, creating a shaded pathway. The forest is an exemplary location to listen to Japan’s national sound; the noise of bamboo clattering in the wind. The forest is one of the most unique things to see in Kyoto and a popular tourist attraction, so the trails are often crowded. However, the easy hikes through the forest are profound.

Kyoto Tower

Kyoto Tower is a popular landmark in Kyoto, standing as the tallest structure in the city. The tower, which stands atop a 9-story building, hosts an observational deck, a 3-star hotel and several stores. A fee is required to ascend the tower.

Toji Temple

Tō-ji Temple, otherwise known as Kyō-ō-gokoku-ji or the Toji Pagoda, was founded as a guardian temple for Kyoto in 796. The elegant structure is the tallest wooden tower in Japan.

Kimono Forest

Found at Arashiyama Station, this “forest” is made of Beautiful artful pillars which showcase unique kimono patterns on their surface. There are 600 backlit pillars included in the art installation.

Kyoto Sentō Imperial Palace

Traditionally, any Sentō Imperial Palace in Japan is the name given to the home of retired emperors. The Kyoto Sentō Imperial Palace area has many beautiful features nearby, including the Shusuitei Tea House, the Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, the main Kyoto Imperial Palace and various other structures, landmarks and historical spaces.

Ryoan-Ji Zen Japanese Rock Garden

Ryoanji (Ryōan-ji) is a Zen Buddhist temple famously known for its ornate rock gardens. The serene gardens use symbolically-arranged pebbles across beds of moss, with a few stones accenting the scene. The origin and meaning of the garden is unknown, though there are theories that the design symbolizes a tiger carrying a cub across the sea. Other theories suggest the garden is a meditation on abstract concepts or infinity.

Seiryoji Temple

Seiryō-ji is a Buddhist temple originally belonging to the Kegon sect. The temple is especially famed for its venerated sandalwood depiction of Shakyamuni or Gautama Buddha, the historical Buddha.

Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama

This is a popular commercial park found atop Mt Arashiyama, across the Ōi River. The park is populated by a troop of over 120 Japanese macaque monkeys. The monkeys are wild creatures, but visitors often purchase food for them. Bear in mind, the monkeys are quite accustomed to humans, and could potentially grab loose or unattended items if visitors aren’t paying attention.

Giouji Temple

This beautiful Buddhist temple is especially serene due to its dense moss garden, towering bamboo grove and rustling maple trees.

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji Temple

This is a beautiful temple which was destroyed after the Kamo River flooded. The temple was rebuilt, connected to Enryaku-ji, a nearby temple. The temple’s main attraction includes 200 ancient stone carvings. Each statue shows a unique face, heavily coated in layers of moss.

Mimizuka

This is an enormous burial mound standing as a rather harrowing monument in Kyoto. The mound is a ringing symbol regarding the cruelty of war. During the Japanese invasion of Korea from 1592 to 1598, Japanese soldiers would slice off the noses and ears of Korean soldiers and civilians (as well as Ming Chinese troops) as grisly trophies or bounty counts. Many of these noses and ears were buried within this tomb. The name of the tomb directly translates to “Ear Mound.”

Nishin Soba

Found in Kyoto’s traditional shopping areas and restaurants, this is a unique dish made from a fish preserved in sugar and soy.  The full meal includes a light noodle base.

Kyo-Tsukemono

Tsukemono are pickled items which serve an important purpose in the Japanese diet, often used as a relish, condiment, digestive or palate cleanser. Kyoto Tsukemono are considered some of the best in Japan.

17 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites of Kyoto

• ・Shimogamo-jinja Shrine
• ・Kamigamo-jinja Shrine
• ・To-ji Temple
• ・Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• ・Mt. Hiei-zan Enryaku-ji Temple
• ・Daigo-ji Temple
• ・Ninna-ji Temple
• ・Byodo-in Temple
• ・Ujigami-jinja Shrine
• ・Kozan-ji Temple
• ・Saiho-ji Temple (Koke-dera Temple)
• ・Tenryu-ji Temple
• ・Kinkaku-ji Temple (The Golden Pavilion)
• ・Ginkaku-ji Temple (The Silver Pavilion)
• ・Ryoan-ji Temple
• ・Nishi-Hongwan-ji Temple
• ・Nijo-jo Castle

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