I have compiled a list of interesting, fun, cultural, and bucket-list-worthy sights to see in Kyoto, Japan. I went to all of these destinations on my trip in October 2018. All of these sights are fascinating and are must see's if you are in the area.
1. Kinkaku-ji
Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a Zen Buddhist temple located in Nara park, in Nara Japan. Nara park is one of the oldest parks in Japan, and is a "place of scenic beauty". It is filled with many things to do and see. The tour I was on took all day and we stayed in Nara park the whole time! (And we still didn't get to see everything!).
Nara is a great site-seeing location a great tourist spot, as well as a great visiting spot for anyone! There are many other eye-catching sites in Nara park, I will list a few below.
The Golden Pavilion has its name for a reason. Because I took this picture on our tour, which was a slightly foggy day, I am sorry it cannot fully capture the gleam of the exterior of the top two floors that are completely covered in gold leaf and is topped with a gold phoenix.
The temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and some resources say it was his will to have it developed into a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408. The temple has burned down numerous times throughout it's history including twice during the Onin War, a civil war that destroyed much of Kyoto; and once again more recently in 1950 when it was set on fire by a fanatic monk. The present structure was rebuilt in 1955.
Kinkaku-ji was built over looking a large pond and is surrounded by a beautiful garden with many paths leading to other sites. It's a very tranquil and charming scenery aside from the bustling crowds, and oddly enough, I did not find it stressful at all. This is a great place to visit when in Nara park, and even a suitable place to take kids, it's outdoors with space to move around and freedom to be loud. And I'm sure any kid (and even adults!) would enjoy throwing coin offerings into a cup surrounded by Jizo statues for a wish.
2. Kiyomizu-dera
For this one, I added a slide show because there were 4 specific aspects of this temple that cannot fit into one picture, but all need to be seen. Kiyomiz-dera is best known for it's wooden balcony (Picture 1) over-looking trees that change with every season (Fall, cherry blossom season, winter, and summer).
Picture 2 was taken from the top of the hill at the entrance gate over-looking the main road (called Matsubara Dori) lined with shops and stores all the way to the bottom tour bus parking lots (If you go, be sure to leave lots of time for shopping!).
Picture 3 is of an entrance gate with 2 wooden statues guarding the temple made to scare evil spirits away from the temple. It's hard to get a good picture of these because of the chicken wire like fence boxing them in.
Picture 4. At the time of seeing this structure, I honestly didn't know what it was, (I still don't!) I just liked it for its colorful architecture and its diversification from structures in America (as well as just about all the temples and shrines in Japan) but be sure to check it out (as well as find as much information as you can about it!)
Construction Notice: Kiyomizu-dera's main hall is covered up from February 2017 to March 2020 for the renovation of it's roof. Visitors will be able to enter the main hall during the renovations.
Because my trip was in October of 2018, I did not see the main hall, but all the pictures in the slide show was include in our tour, as well as a walk on the trails through the forest.
3. Sanjūsangendō
This was one of my favorite temples to see! Sanjusangen-do is the temple of 1001 statues. Yes, it has 1001 statues, and they are so cool! No pictures are permitted in the temple, so this photo was taken by a professional photographer who was permitted to take the picture. The statues in the background are all hand-carved, wooden statues made out of Japanese Cypress wood. Among the awe of each being hand-carved and slightly different, I was captivated to learn that 124 of the statues were made in the 12th century when the temple was founded. The rest were made in the 13th century when the temple was renovated.
The 28 statues placed in a single straight line in front of the 1001 statues are guardian deities that protect the Buddhist deity Kannon, as well as the pious Buddhists who believe in Kannon.
4. Nijo-jo Castle
Nijo-jo castle was the castle serving as the Kyoto residence of the Shogun on the very rare occasions when he visited the Imperial Capital. When the Shogun was not resorting at the castle, it was a place for the dispatched Nijo Zaiban samurai guards.
Many of the rooms in the castle have special paintings on the walls, and each one signifies something. One of my favorite paintings was the Painting of Bamboo and Tigers. I liked this painting because when you first look, you notice something is off. Then you realize it's the tiger The tigers really don't look like tigers at all, and the reason being is that the artists who painted the walls, had never seen a tiger before, they just had to interpret what they heard.
My favorite part about the Nijo-jo Castle was the floors. A strange thing to hear, right? But it's true and I bet that many other tourists who have been would say the same thing. Nijo-jo castle has a special hallway called the Nightingale Corridor. When weight is applied on the floorboards they move up and down against metal clamps. It makes a gentle chirping noise. I thought it sounded pretty when a big group of people walked on it, making a mismatched, soft melody. This system was installed into the floors to alert guards of ninjas and assassins.
5. Todai-ji Temple
Another treasure of Nara Park. This temple is separated a little from the park. It's surrounded by a gate, but still plenty of deer! :) This temple is the Great Buddha Hall, and it lives up to the name. It is home to the Virocana Buddha (Buddha that shines throughout the world like the sun) that sits behind the entrance doors. The height of the body is 48.91 ft. (14.98m). The length of the ear is 8.33 ft. (2.54m). In the back of the building are other deity statues with significant unique meanings. This temple is a must see if you are in the area. It makes for a very memorable experience.
These are all great Tourist spots for Kyoto. The Golden Pavilion image and the Todai-ji temple image are pictures I took on my trip. I do not own any of the other photos. Contact me for other post suggestions, questions, or suggestions. Thank you for reading my blog!
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