Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan with all its mesmerizingly beautiful temples and sacred places enveloped in the beauty of nature. Here, you can find tons of the best things to do in Kyoto.
Attractions in Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is located on a magnificent hill covered in cherry trees. The sanctuary is popular for its display of a variety of panoramic features and is one of the best places to visit in Kyoto. Locals say that you need to stroll between two stones with your eyes shut before the Jishu Shrine, which is here to respect the lord of love. In the event you can do this effectively, you will discover true love for yourself. The place of worship is likewise associated with the Otowa Waterfall, which is joined into a different hallowed place. Here, you can find three waterways that stand for long life, success, and love. Also, you can drink from the waterway with one of your biggest wishes for good luck. Kiyomizu dera Temple is unquestionably beautiful in the light of its excellence as well as due to the mystery that encompasses it.
Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine
One of Kyoto’s preciously notable fortunes is the Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. It is situated at the edge of a bright fire-colored gallery that is made up of over a thousand torii gates that are a traditional feature of Japan. Most of the way up the mountain, you can anticipate staggering scenes of the city. The Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine respects the Shinto god of rice, Inari. Get a memorable photo of you here!
Sanjusangendo Temple
Sanjusangendo temple is entirely made out of high-quality wood with hands. This sanctuary is home to over a thousand intricately designed statues of Kannon, the god. It took more than a hundred years to wrap up. The complexity between the sanctuary’s luxurious interior and straightforward exterior is a remarkable environment to admire. Moreover, every statue of Buddha is shrouded in gold leaf. Although the statues appear to be comparable, each and everyone is extraordinary in its own sense. One should definitely add this temple to its best Kyoto day trips list.
Gion District
Gion district is famous as it is home to artists, geishas, and theatres. Visiting this entertainment district is the best things to do in Kyoto. It’s anything but difficult to spend morning till evening around here, browsing through all that it brings to the table. While you explore the Gion district, I would recommend you to go to the Minamiza Theater. It is famous for its kabuki plays where there is dramatic makeup, brilliant hues, and stunning dance moves. Furthermore, visitors can go to Hanami-koji which is a street lined with cherry trees and record their deepest desires to put upon the Yasui Kompira-gu Shrine’s enchanted stone. Here, you can also find lots of food stalls, cafes, and seating areas for you to enjoy the most.
Kinkakuji Temple
In the middle of a serene lake and encompassed by greenery is the brilliant temple of Kinkakuji. In addition, it is a Zen sanctuary enveloped by gold leaf, with the highest floor plated all around. It was initially established as a retirement home for a well-known shogun, who authorized the structure to be turned into a sanctuary after his demise. If you want to come to this place for your best day trips from Kyoto, you should leave early to avoid the crowds.
Nishiki Market
Regardless of the fact that you are a shopping lover or not, the Nishiki Market is an intriguing spot and definitely worth a visit. This place is full of food vendors and restaurants where you can have delicious treats, local handicrafts, clothing, tiles, pottery. That’s only the tip of the iceberg. Here, you can also find a seafood area. Besides, you can enjoy dumplings, pickles, crisply broiled tea, fish cakes, and yakitori. As it’s an indoor market, you can come here if the day is too hot or a little too wet from all the rain.
Monkey Park Iwatayama
As the name suggests, in Monkey Park, there are monkeys literally all over. To have an amazing experience for your Kyoto day trips, you need to wear comfy boots and go all the way up to this beautiful place. Certainly, you can see these monkeys enjoying jumping from branch to branch and showing courage for sweeping your food right from under you. Their little mischiefs are a source of entertainment for everyone. In case you’re feeling courageous, you can purchase a box of fruits and nuts from the stalls set there to give them to the monkeys. However, you would need to tightly pack all your bags as these monkeys have no hesitations about scrounging through your bags looking for more food.
Kyoto International Manga Museum
Japanese illustrators have got a splendid but uniquely different way of illustrating drawings for the people. Manga is made for grown-ups and kids the same and is enjoyed all through Japanese society. It also has a noteworthy history that dates back to the nineteenth century. Here, at the Kyoto International Manga Museum, you can see super popular manga, find out about its impact in the post-WWII time. Also, it’s available to view cartoonists make manga, and have your portrait illustrated. In spite of the fact that almost all of the manga is in Japanese, there are many English duplicates in the tremendous manga library. Those who love Dragonball Z, Pokemon, and Sailor Moon should definitely come to this place.
Mount Kurama
Mount Kurama is almost 20 kilometers from the focal point of Kyoto. It is an interesting town known for its conventional inns and showers. Tourists can climb to the highest point of Mt. Kurama to Kurama-dera, a resplendent Buddhist sanctuary. If you don’t want to tire yourself, then you can take the cable car. Next to the sanctuary is a lofty climbing trail encompassed by ancient trees full of larks, monkeys, deer, and other animals.
Kyoto Tea Ceremonies
Despite the fact that Chado or Sado, or just say, tea ceremonies, are accessible all through Japan. And encountering one of these ceremonies in Kyoto is particularly special because of its solid Zen Buddhist roots. So, these tea ceremonies are not just any tea parties but here, the cups are set with great care and artfully too. The service is intended to recognize the company of each other, the utensils, and the tea.
If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks!
Written by Dy & Jay
