Kyoto in Three Days Packed Itinerary

Kyoto
Kyoto in Three Days Packed Itinerary
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Day 1
09:00 Ryoanji Temple
A 15th century Zen Buddhist temple associated with the
Myoshinjo School of Japanese Buddhism's Rinzai sect
10:15 Kinkaku-ji
A Zen Buddhist temple that features on the list of 17 Historic
Monuments of Ancient Kyoto
12:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace

One of the most important landmarks in Japan and the
official residence of the Emperor till 1868
13:05 Sento Imperial Palace

An imperial palace that was built as a home for Emperor
Gomizuno within Kyoto Gyoen
14:15 Nijo Castle

A castle built by the first Shogun of the Edo Period,
Tokugawa Ieyasu
16:10 Nishiki Market

A 400-year-old market in downtown Kyoto also known as
Nishiki Ichiba or Kyoto's Kitchen
09:00 Ryoanji Temple
Visit Duration: 1 hour
The Ryoan-ji Temple is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in not just Kyoto, but the whole of
Japan. It has a hiraniwa garden – a flat garden without the usual ponds or man-made hills you see in Japan –
and one of the most well-known of them all. It was built on the orders of Shogun Hosokawa Katsumoto in the
15 th century (1450). This is a Zen garden that owes allegiance to the Myoshinjo school of the Rinzei sect of
Zen Buddhism.
The most famous site in Ryoan-ji Temple’s garden, which attracts visitors in droves daily, is the rock garden.
This is one attraction you must see: it is surrounded on 3 sides by an earthen wall and has 15 stones set in
white sand. Many believe that the rock garden, with its rocks and white sand, is an attempt at expressing
islands in the ocean of tranquility. There is no established meaning to the setting of the garden, however; this
means you can interpret it your own way. The rocks are arranged in a mystic manner; no matter the angle Image By: Alex Brown
you view the garden from, there is always one rock out of sight. Apart from the garden the next thing to see is Image Source:
the hojo, the former quarters of the head priest of the temple. You will find elegant paintings on its fusuma https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexbrn/3015839317
(sliding doors) and tatami mats inside the rooms. Connected to the hojo is the Kuri, or temple kitchen; this is
today the main entrance of the temple. There is also a park with a pond. If you are hungry head to the park’s
restaurant for a quick bite of delicious Japanese food. Address: 13 Ry?anji Gory?noshitach?, Uky?-ku,
Ky?to-shi, Ky?to-fu 616-8001, Japan
Phone Number: 075 463-2216
Admission: ¥500
:
Opening Hours: Mar-Nov Mon-Sun 8am-5pm,
Dec-Feb 8:30am-4:30pm
:
Web: http://www.ryoanji.jp Neighborhood:
Northern Kyoto
Transportation:
Bus: 59 to Ryoanji-mae (2 min.); or 12 or 50 to
Ritsumeikan Daigaku-mae (4 min.)
10:15 Kinkaku-ji / Temple of the Golden Pavilion
1.1 KM, 15 minutes walking from Ryoanji Temple
Kinkaku-ji Temple or the Temple of the Golden Pavilion is one of 17 monuments on the Historic Monuments
of Ancient Kyoto list and one of the most popular temples in Japan. It is a Zen Buddhist temple built towards
the end of the 14 th century as the retirement villa of the shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. After his death in
1408, it was converted into a Zen temple as per his will. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural
Heritage site.
Do not miss out on the main attraction of this temple: the gold leaf covering across the top two floors. Each
floor of the building represents a different architectural style. The first floor houses statues of the Shaka
Buddha and Yoshimitsu and follows the Shinden style of architecture used for palatial buildings. The second
floor houses a seated Kannon Bodhisattva that is surrounded by statues of the Four Heavenly Kings and is Image By: Keith Pomakis
built in the Bukke style seen in samurai houses. The third floor has a golden phoenix at the top and is built Image Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji#/media/File:Kinkakuji_2004-0
like a Chinese Zen Hall. You can see Kinku-ji from across the pond and then see the head priest’s living
quarters (hojo). Visit the garden with the Anmintaku Pond which, according to legend, never runs dry, and
statues. Go on through the garden to the Sekkatei Teahouse, which was added to the complex later during
Address: 1 Kinkakujich?, Kita-ku, Ky?to-shi,
the Edo Period.
Ky?to-fu 603-8361, Japan
Admission: ¥400
:
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 9am-5pm
:
Web: http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english
Neighborhood: Northern Kyoto
Transportation:
Bus: 12, 59, 101, 102, 204, or 205 to
Kinkakuji-michi (3 min.)
12:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace / Kyoto Gosho
3.3 KM, 0 minutes by transit from Kinkaku-ji
The Kyoto Imperial Palace or Kyoto Gosho is one of the most important monuments in Kyoto and all of Japan. It was where the
family of the Emperor of Japan resided till 1868, when Kyoto was the capital of Japan. The Imperial Palace can be found in the
Kyoto Imperial Park (Kyoto Gyoen). This park in the heart of Kyoto city also has a few other important attractions, including the
Sento Imperial Palace.
The entire Palace complex is surrounded by high walls and has a number of gardens, halls, and other structures. The main
structures inside the Kyoto Imperial Palace include the Hall for State Ceremonies or Shishin-den, the Emperor’s Habitual
Residence or Seiryo-den, the Court Room or Ko-gosho, the Imperial Study or o-gakumonjo, and residences of the Empress and
some of the high-ranking members of the aristocracy. While you are not allowed to enter the Kyoto Imperial Palace, you can
see the structure in its entirety from the outside. You have a number of other structures that you are allowed entry into inside the
Kyoto Imperial Park. Visit the Kaninnomiya Mansion, a small shrine that is a branch of the Itsukushima Shrine of Miyojima, and
the Konoe Pond. Image By: moja
Image Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto_Imperial_Palace#/media/File:Kyo
The palace grounds can be entered only on guided tours (in English or Japanese) held by the Imperial Household Agency .
Address: 3 Ky?togyoen, Kamigy?-ku, Ky?to-shi,
Admission:
:
Opening Hours: Apr-Aug 9am-5pm, Sept-Mar
9am-4:30pm, Oct-Feb 9am-4pm
Transportation:
Subway: Karasuma Line to Imadegawa (exit 3);
then turn left and walk south on Karasuma Dori (5
min.)
13:05 Sento Imperial Palace
Visit Duration: 45 mins
0.5 KM, 7 minutes walking from Kyoto Imperial Palace
The Sento Imperial Palace is located within the Kyoto Imperial Park or Kyoto Gyoen. Not much is left of the palace now. It was
built as the home for the retired Emperor Go-mizuno in 1630, after which it was used as a retirement home by subsequent
emperors. The palace was burnt down many times; now only the gardens and a couple of teahouses are left. The Sento
Imperial Palace is managed by the Imperial Household Agency.
Enter the Sento Palace grounds through the wooden gate. Walk through the carriage house nearby and take a look at the
surroundings. Once you pass through the inner wall, walk towards the garden ponds. The first thing you notice about the garden
is a big pond that comes with small islands and also walkaways. The pond has two segments actually: a north pond and a south
pond. Check out the rounded pebbles and stones along with the cherry trees near the south pond; there are also squared
stones nearby. The south pond also has six bridges connecting the different islets on it. Walk to the north pond and lose
yourself among the rhododendron bushes and maple trees nearby. Visit the two beautiful teahouses in the garden – Seika-tei
and Yushin-tei – towards the west of the north pond. Image By: daderot
Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/Sento_I
You have to book tours with the Imperial Household Agency to visit the Sento Imperial Palace. Guided tours are available. You
cannot enter any of the buildings, but the gardens are free to be explored.
Address: Inside of Kyoto-Gyoen, Kamigyo-ku,
Kyoto City, 602-0881
Phone Number: +81 75 211-1215
Admission:
:
Opening Hours: 8:45am-12pm, 1pm-5pm
Transportation: By subway and bus. Subway -
Travel to Imadegawa Station or Marutamachi
Station on the Karasuma Subway Line; the Palace
is 15 minutes from both these stations. Bus - Take
a bus and get down at the Furitsuidai-byoin-mae
bus stop; the Sento Imperial Palace is a 10-minute
walk from there.
14:15 Nijo Castle / Nijojo
Visit Duration: 1 hour, 30 mins
1.8 KM, 23 minutes walking from Sento Imperial Palace
The Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) in Kyoto was built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Edo Period, in 1603.
It was completed by his grandson 23 years later. After the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867, the castle was
used as an Imperial Palace. Later it was converted into a historic site and opened to the public. This castle
has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
There are 3 parts to Nijo Castle: the primary line of defense or the Honmaru, the secondary line of defense or
the Ninomaru, and a few gardens. The gardens encircle the two lines of defense. A moat runs around the
entire castle building to further shore up its defenses. Once you enter the castle through an eastern gate, you
come to the Karamon Gate, a gate in the Chinese style and beyond it, the Ninomaru Palace. This palace is
the main attraction in this castle. The palace complex has multiple buildings connected by the nightingale Image By: Chino
floors – floors that squeaked when stepped on, to warn of the presence of possible intruders. View the Image Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nij%C5%8D_Castle#/media/File:Ninom
wonderful Tatami mats and the beautiful décor on the ceilings and the fusuma – the sliding doors –in all
rooms here. Beyond these are the waiting rooms and audience rooms. Once you are outside the palace visit
the Ninomaru Garden and then go on to the honmaru garden, which is beyond this garden and has its own
palace. The Honmaru Palace is open to the public only on special occasions. The Honmaru Garden is open Address: Takeya-cho Dori, Nij?j?ch?,
though for visitors. Nakagy?-ku, Ky?to-shi, Ky?to-fu 604-8301, Japan
Admission: ¥600 Neighborhood: Central Kyoto
Opening Hours: 8:45am-5pm
16:10 Nishiki Market
1.8 KM, 23 minutes walking from Nijo Castle
Referred to as Kyoto’s Kitchen, Nishiki Market or Nishiki Ichiba is a must-visit tourist destination for all in
Kyoto. This market has a history that is centuries old – some estimate it to be over 400 years old – and is
spread currently across 5 lively blocks. The market is situated in downtown Kyoto and is parallel to one of the
major Kyoto boulevards, Shijo Dori.
Feast your eyes on the beautiful and brilliant displays and shop to your heart’s content for anything you want
in terms of food and produce and also trinkets and accessories. It is the traditional shotengai or shopping
street of Kyoto and you will not be disappointed when you spend time here. Shop for traditional Kyoto cuisine
items – tsukemono or Japanese pickles, wagashi or Japanese sweets, fresh fish, shell fish, Kyo -yasai or
vegetables of Kyoto, tea, and even whale meat – here. You can sample food at some of the shops, and there Image By: Gavin Anderson
are restaurants and takeaways as well. Check out shops like Aritsugu, a shop that has been there since 1560 Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/Tsukem
and sells kitchen ware that is traditional to Kyoto. Try out the wonderful kaiseki ryori – a traditional full-course
Japanese meal when you are here, or eat at any of the many ethnic restaurants from different countries here;
there are French and Italian restaurants, Indian restaurants, Thai restaurants, and more here.
Address: Nishikikoji Teramachi-Takakura,
Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Phone Number: +81 75 211-3882
:
Opening Hours: 9am-7pm
Subway: Travel to the Karasuma Station on the
Hankyu Kyoto Line; it is 5 minutes from there.
From the Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway
Line it is just about 5-7 minutes by walk.
Bus: Travel by city bus and get down at the
Shijokawaramachi or Shijotakakura bus stops; it is
a 5-minute walk from there.
Day 2
09:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple
UNESCO World Heritage Site temple known for the wooden
stage projecting out from the main hall
10:10 Kodai-ji Temple

A temple of Japanese Buddhism's Rinzai sect set up by the
widow of Japan warlord, Toyotomi Hideyoshi
11:00 Yasaka Shrine

An immensely popular shrine that is over 1350 years old and
home to the annual Gion Matsuri Festival
11:35 Maruyama Park

The oldest public park in Japan that is known worldwide for
its cherry blossoms
12:10 Chion-in
The main temple of Jodo sect including structures declared
to be Important Cultural Properties of Japan
13:25 Nanzen-ji Temple

Zen temple that was originally built in the 13th century as a
retirement villa for Emperor Kameyama
14:40 Philosopher's Walk

A scenic path associated with the renowned philosopher
Kitaro Nishida
15:50 Ginkaku-ji
Zen temple in Kyoto that was the retirement home of Shogun
Ashikaga Yoshimasa
09:00 Kiyomizu-dera Temple / Kiyomizudera
Officially known as Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple in English), this is a temple in the eastern
part of Kyoto. It is one of the most popular temples in all of Japan and recognized by UNESCO as a World
Heritage site since 1994. Founded in 778 in the early Heian Period, the current main hall was built in 1633.
The temple gets its name from the waterfall which can be seen inside the temple complex.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple is famous for the wooden stage that projects out from the main hall. The stage is
supported by 139 pillars and affords a grandiose view of Kyoto town. There are many important cultural
monuments inside the massive temple complex spread across 130,000 square meters. Check out the ravine
below the main hall; it has a rich aggregation of cherry and maple trees. Inside the main hall you find a statue
of an eleven-faced Kannon with a thousand arms. Go behind the main hall and see the Jishu Shrine
dedicated to the god of love and also of matchmaking. At the bottom of the main hall of Kiyomizu-dera
Image By: Christopher Mann McKay
Temple is the Otowa Waterfall which has water split into 3 streams, with 3 separate benefits attached to Image Source:
them: success in studies, long life, and success in love. Do not miss out on the other structures in the temple https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu-dera#/media/File:Kyoto-Kiyom
complex – the Okuinon Hall, the Koyasu Pagoda, halls dedicated to Shaka Buddha and Amida Buddha, and a
hall with 200 statues in honor of Jizo. There are also temples and pagodas outside the temple complex.
Address: 294 Kiyomizu 1-ch?me,
Higashiyama-ku, Ky?to-shi, Ky?to-fu 605-0862,
Japan
Admission: ¥400
:
Neighborhood: Eastern Kyoto
10:10 Kodai-ji Temple
0.7 KM, 10 minutes walking from Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Kodai-ji Temple is a beautiful temple in Kyoto’s Higayashi ward. This temple is from the Rinzai school of Zen
Buddhism and was set up in 1606 by Nene, the widow of one of the most important warlords of ancient
Japan, Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537-1598), the man responsible for unifying Japan.
All buildings in this temple have rich interiors and beautiful zen gardens around them that have been
designed by masters of the art. Visit the main hall (hojo), which was originally covered in lacquer and gold,
but destroyed by a fire in 1912. Walk through the rock garden and then the tsukiyama-style garden. The rock
garden has a large field covered by raked gravel to symbolize the ocean, while the tsukiyama style garden
has man-made hills, a pond, and loads of pine and maple trees. Inside this garden you also find the Kaizando
where Nene would pray for her husband; now you find wooden images of the two there. Visit the mausoleum Image By: Qwert1234
for Nene and Hideyoshi on the hillside behind the temple. A little further above you find 2 tea houses – Kasa Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Kodaiji
Tei or Umbrella-shaped Power and Shigure-tei or House of Drizzling Rain – both designed by Sen-no-Rikyu,
a well-known master of the tea ceremony. Do not miss out on the lacquer-based items inside the temple.
Address: 526 Shimokawarach?, Higashiyama-ku,
Ky?to-shi, Ky?to-fu 605-0825, Japan
Admission: ¥600 adults
:
Opening Hours: 9am-5:30pm
11:00 Yasaka Shrine
0.3 KM, 5 minutes walking from Kodai-ji Temple
The Yasaka Shrine is a popular tourist destination in Kyoto and located between the Gion and Higashiyama
districts. The shrine is also known as the Gion Shrine and was built over 1350 years ago. This is the shrine
where the immensely popular Gion-Matsuri festival is held in July every year.
The first thing that grabs your attention as you reach the Yasaka Shrine is the Sairo-mon, a massive and at
the same time very beautiful lacquered vermilion-colored gate. The gate is one of the Seven Wonders of the
Yasaka Shrine, and legend has it that neither do rain drops stick to it nor can spiders spin their webs on it.
Get a superb view of Shijo Street as you go up the steps behind the gate. View the Hondo, the main shrine.
This shrine is 15 meters tall and about 1320 square meters. This has 2 structures inside it: the Honden and
also the Haiden, the offering shrine. The gion-zukuri structural formation is named after this structure. View Image By: Bernard Gagnon
the beautiful statues of the main deities of this shrine: Susano-no-mikoto, his wife Kushiinada-no-mikoto, and Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Yasaka
their son Yahashira-no-mikoto. Walk across to the east of the Honden to see the Utsukushi-gozensha
dedicated to 3 goddesses. Other sights to see here include the Shamusho or shrine office, the Ishitorii or
stone gateway that is present at the shrine’s southern entrance, and the Maruyuma Park.
Address: 625 Kitagawa, Gion-machi,
Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-8311
Phone Number: +81 75 561-6155
Admission:
:
Opening Hours:
Transportation: Bus and train; you can also walk
from Kiyomizudera through Higashiyama district in
about half an hour. Train: 5 minutes by walk from
Gion Station; 8 minutes away from Kawaramachi
Station
Bus: Just a couple of minutes from Gion city bus
stop.
11:35 Maruyama Park
0.2 KM, 3 minutes walking from Yasaka Shrine
Maruyama Park is one of the most well-known and beautiful public park in Kyoto’s Higashiyama District, next
to Yasaka Shrine. The park is famous for its cherry blossoms, a sight that draws thousands to it annually.
Spread across 86,000 square meters, this is the oldest public park in Kyoto.
Head across to Maruyama Park if you are looking for a quiet little picnic, or if you are looking to lose yourself
among a sea of greenery. The trees here include magnolia, Katsura, maple, and of course cherry. The park is
beautiful and has quite a few quaint things that make you feel good. Walk across to the beautiful duck pond
within the park and sit beside it for some peace and quiet amid nature. There are gurgling streams that you
can follow as well when you are in the park. Get to the central attraction inside the park, a tall Shidarezakura
or Weeping Cherry tree. This tree is 70 years old, and is said to have grown from another tree that was 300 Image By: Picturetokyo
years old. The tree is lit up at night to offer a beautiful sight. If you are here in spring, you can be part of Image Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruyama_Park#/media/File:Cherry_bl
cherry blossom viewing parties, called hanami. There are more than 1700 Hokaido cherry trees in full bloom,
making for a magnificent sight. Stroll along the gardens and quaint little orchards inside the park or just relax
at some of the rest houses. The park also has Japanese restaurants you can stop at for a quick bite. Guided
tours are available at the park. Address: 473 Maruyama-cho, Higashiyama-ku,
Kyoto
Phone Number: +81 75 222-3586
Admission:
:
Opening Hours:
12:10 Chion-in
0.2 KM, 3 minutes walking from Maruyama Park
The Chionin Temple is the main temple of one of the most popular Japanese Buddhist sects, the Jodo sect.
This massive temple is located in Higashiyama district of Kyoto and a number of structures here have been
declared Important Cultural Properties of Japan.
As you reach the temple you will see the Sanmon Gate, the largest wooden gate in Japan that was built in the
17 th century. The gate is 24 meters tall and 50 meters wide and has a balcony that is closed to the public.
Enter the Miedo Hall, the main hall that has a statue of the priest Honen, the founder of the Jodo sect (the
temple started out as the humble abode of Honen). Walk across to the Amida Hall to see the statue of Amida
Buddha there. The Amida Buddha, incidentally, is the most important of all Buddhas in the Jodo sect. Visit the
Seishido Hall, which was built in 1530 and is considered the oldest building in the Chionin Temple. Explore Image By: 663highland
the mausoleum here that contains the ashes of Honen. Go on to view the Dai-shoro, a huge bell that was the Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Chionin
largest in the world between the 17 th and 19 th centuries. Other sights to see at the Chionin Temple include a
traditional Japanese Garden, the Hojo Garden, the Yuzen Garden with its own rock and pond gardens, the
Kyo-zo, which is the storage place for sculptures, the Kuri or temple kitchen, the Chokushi-mon or the gate for Address: 400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku,
Imperial messengers, and also the Uguisu-bari (bush warbler birds), a corridor that sounds like a singing bird
Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
when you walk on it.
Phone Number: +81 75 531-2111
Admission:
:
Opening Hours: 9am-4:30pm
Transportation: Accessible by bus and subway.
Subway: 10 minutes walk from Higashiyama
Station on the Keihan Line
Bus: 5 minutes walk from Chionin-mae bus stop
13:25 Nanzen-ji Temple
1.2 KM, 16 minutes walking from Chion-in
The Nanzen-ji Temple is one of the most important Zen temples in all of Japan. Located in Eastern Kyoto,
with its grounds at the base of the Higashiyama Mountains this temple belongs to the Rinzai sect of Zen
Buddhism. It is more a temple complex; there are many smaller temples within it. The temple was originally
built as the retirement villa of Emperor Kameyama in the 13 th century. After his death it was converted into
the Zen temple that it is today. Most of the original buildings were destroyed during the civil wars of the
Muromachi Period. The current structures have been built in later years.
You do not have to pay any fee to access the central grounds of the Nanzen-ji Temple. However, there are
fees for the different buildings within the complex. Enter the temple through the Sanmon Gate, which is huge
and has immense historical significance. Beyond the gate is the Hatto, a lecture hall that is closed to the Image By: Daderot
public. Check out the Hojo, the quarters of the head priest. A famous attraction here is the rock garden, which Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/Tenjua
has rock structures that resemble tigers and their cubs. There are tigers shown in gold leaf on the sliding
doors of the structure as well. You can get into and check the Nanzenin Temple, one of the smaller temples
within the Nanzen-ji Temple. Here you find the mausoleum of Emperor Kameyama, along with a garden and
Address: Nanzen-ji Fukuchi-cho, Sakyo-ku,
a temple hall. Other smaller temples inside the complex include the Kobchi-in and Tenjuan temples. See the
Kano-ha or Kano School, which has 2 buildings – Dai-hojo and Ko-hojo – with paintings by renowned Kano Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
artists. There is also the aqueduct or Suirokaku to see. Phone Number: +81 75-771-0365
:
Web: http://nanzenji.com/english/index.html
Admission: ¥500
:
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun Mar-Nov 8:40am-5pm,
Dec-Feb 8:40am-4:30pm
14:40 Philosopher's Walk
1.1 KM, 15 minutes walking from Nanzen-ji Temple
Philosopher’s Walk or Tetsugaku-no-michi is a scenic path that is a popular attraction among tourists in Kyoto. The path starts
near the Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) and winds its way down south, touching the canal emanating from Shiga
prefecture’s Lake Biwa, one of Japan’s biggest lakes, and ending near the Nanzenji Temple. The path was named
Philosopher’s Path because the renowned philosopher Kitaro Nishida used to walk along this path as he contemplated on new
poetry.
Enjoy the lush vegetation along the path as you walk on it. The vegetation reflects the four seasons in Japan, which gives you
varied colors and hues all through the year here. Walk along here after evening to see the lights brighten up the path and give it
the appearance of a magical place with a pink tunnel. If you are here in spring you can be part of the Ohanami celebrations
here. Summer is magnanimous here too, with hundreds of fireflies lighting up the area with a golden yellow sheen. If you are
here in winter you will enjoy the pure white of the snow around you. Along with the vegetation, you get to admire the different
species of birds in the area: pigeons, warblers, duck, and others. In the waters nearby you find carp as well. You can walk Image By: David Monniaux
through the Path, cycle through it, or take a rickshaw ride. Relax at the numerous cafes and restaurants along the path. You can Image Source:
also check out the items available at the boutiques along the path. There are also temples a short distance away from the path, https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Japan_
including the Honen-in Temple.
Address: Saky?-ku, Kyoto, Japan

You can reach Philosopher’s Walk by bus or subway. You also have the option of walking to it from the main buildings of the Admission:
Nanzenji Temple. :
Opening Hours:
Transportation: By bus and subway
Bus: Get down at the Eikan-do-mae or Ginkaku-ji
bus stops and walk from there.
Subway: Take the Tozai Line to Keage and walk
from there. You can also walk from Nanzenji's
main temple buildings; it is just about 10 minutes
from there.
15:50 Ginkaku-ji / The Temple of the Silver Pavilion
0.7 KM, 9 minutes walking from Philosopher's Walk
Ginkaku-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion) is officially known as Jisho-ji or the Temple of Shining Mercy. It is a
Zen temple of historical importance in kyoto’s Sakyo ward that is a symbol of the Higashiyama culture from
the time of Muromachi. It was the retirement villa of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa and was constructed in
1482 and later converted to a zen temple on the death of the shogun.
At the temple you will find a silver pavilion and also beautifully designed and maintained gardens – a moss
garden and a dry sand garden – apart from a few other buildings. The silver pavilion is commonly referred to
as the Kannonden or Kannon Hall because it has a statue of Kannon, who is the Buddhist goddess of mercy.
See this 2-storied pavilion with different architectural styles manifesting on each of the floors from the outside.
The inside of the pavilion is not usually open to the public. Do not miss out on the dry sand garden – the Sea Image By: Antoinejou
of Silver Sand – with a huge sand cone called the Moon Viewing Platform. Next to it is the main hall or Hondo Image Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ginkakuji_2012.jpg
with paintings on its doors. From there, go on to see the Togudo, the sole building apart from the Silver
Pavilion which has been there since the beginning. It has a study room with tatami mats in the Shoin style of
architecture. The last thing to see here is the moss garden. This garden has ponds, islands, and bridges, as
well as plants. Address: 2 Ginkakujich?, Saky?-ku, Ky?to-shi,
Phone Number: +81 75 771-5725
Admission: ¥500
:
Opening Hours: Dec-Feb 9am-4:30pm, Mar-Nov
8:30am-5pm
:
Web: http://www.shokoku-ji.or.jp/english
Neighborhood: Eastern Kyoto
Transportation:
Bus: 5, 17, 102, 203, or 204 to Ginkakuji-michi
(10 min.); or 32 or 100 to Ginkakuji-mae (5 min.)
Day 3
09:00 Katsura Imperial Villa
A beautiful villa built as a retreat for members of the Katsura
clan during the Edo Period
10:35 Arashiyama Bamboo

Grove
A 500 meter long bamboo grove and one of the most
popular non-temple tourist attractions in Kyoto
12:15 Arashiyama Monkey

Park Iwatayama
Animal park home to over 120 Japanese macaques in their
natural habitat
13:50 Tenryuji Temple

The head temple of the Japanese Buddhism's Rinzai sect
that was dedicated to Emperor Go-Daigo
14:55 Okochisanso Garden

This garden is part of Okochi Sanso, the villa that was the
home of legendary Japanese jidaigeki (period actor) Denjiro
Okochi
16:15 Otagi Nenbutsuji

Temple
An ancient Japanese temple that was built in the middle of
the 8th century by Empress Shotoku
09:00 Katsura Imperial Villa
Katsura Imperial Villa is a beautiful villa in the western section of Kyoto city. You may have heard about Kyoto Imperial Palace,
but you should also know that the Katsura Imperial Villa is equally breathtaking. Katsura Imperial Villa was built along the
Katsura River in the middle of the 17 th century, during the Edo Period and served as a retreat for the members of the Katsura
family. Today it is managed by the Imperial Household Agency.
Enter the villa and pass by the Sumiyoshi no Matsu or Pine Tree of Sumiyoshi to reach the Miyuki Gate or Miyuki Mon. Pass the
gate to view the Shokin Tei or Shokin Teahouse. Walk on beyond the Shokin Teahouse to the Shoka Teahouse. Explore the
Onrin Temple or Onrindo. Visit the Shoiken with its koshi mado or round paper windows. As you go on you reach the Gepparo
or moon wave teahouse. As you can see, the Katsura Imperial Villa is an example of some of the finest architecture of the
Sukiya Style, which was prevalent in the Edo Period, and design, including the migration style garden.
Katsura Imperial Villa is managed by the Imperial Household Agency, which means you are not allowed to enter the buildings in Image By: John Chang
the villa. You can see the buildings from outside as you stroll past them. You can visit the villa only through prior bookings with Image Source:
the Imperial Household Agency, either at their office or through their website. Guided tours are available in Japanese only, but https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsura_Imperial_Villa#/media/File:Kats
there is an audio tour in English available.
Address: Katsuramisono, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto,

Kyoto Prefecture 615-8014
Phone Number: +81 75 211-1215
Admission:
:
Opening Hours: Tours Tue-Sun 8:45am-5pm
10:35 Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
4.8 KM, 0 minutes by transit from Katsura Imperial Villa
One of the most visited tourist attractions in western Kyoto is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The sight itself
is awe-inspiring: rows of tall bamboo shoots reaching up to the skies and enveloping a neat pathway between
them. Over half a kilometer long, the grove winds its way along, from just outside the north gate of Tenryu-ji to
just below the Okochi Sanso villa. The bamboo from the grove is used in the manufacture of a range of
products, including baskets, mats, boxes, cups, and more. This is one spot you cannot afford to miss out on.
Enter a world of your own as you step into the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. You will find on either side of you
tall bamboo plants reaching up to the skies. As you go into the grove the forest grows thicker, making for a
beautiful sight. The thick foliage above you gives a different hue to the light filtering through, giving you a Image By: Dariusz Jemielniak
completely other-worldly experience. You have the option of walking along the trail in the forest or biking Image Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arashiyama#/media/File:Bamboo_fores
through – rental bikes are available outside the grove in Kyoto. Another option is a ride on a rickshaw.
Experience a different soundscape as the wind passes through the grove, whispering softly into your ears.
Address: Sagano, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8458,
Kyoto Prefecture
The best thing to do is get your camera out and start clicking as you get deeper into this almost magical Phone Number: +81 75-222-4130
forest. There are signs showing you the way forward should you be going in there alone. There are walking Admission:
tours available at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. :
Opening Hours:
12:15 Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
0.9 KM, 12 minutes walking from Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
If you love animals, especially the primate kind, you will love visiting Iwatayama Monkey Park. Opened in
1957, this monkey park is located in Arashiyama, a busy part of Kyoto. There are over 120 Japanese
macaques at this park, all living free instead of in inside cages. This park gives you a lovely opportunity to see
these monkeys in their habitat from up close.
Enter through the orange torii gate of Ichitani-jinja shrine. Beside the shrine is the booth where you get
tickets. From there it is a climb to the summit of Iwatayama. You are sure to find monkeys along the way as
you go towards the summit. Not only that, there are also signposts with directions, information on Japanese
macaques, and quaint little quizzes on the monkeys in Iwatayama. All information on these boards is in
Japanese as well as English. Go through the rules carefully to avoid getting into tricky situations: the monkeys Image By: Dariusz Jemielniak
are left in the open but they are not tame; they are wild and ensure you give them the space needed. Once Image Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arashiyama#/media/File:Macaques_in_
you reach the top, go into the shack with metal fencing to buy food items to feed the monkeys. Come outside
to the viewing platform for a magnificent view of the sights below. If you are traveling with children, take them
to the play area for some fun and games.
Address: 8 Genrokuyama-cho, Arashiyama,
Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto City
Phone Number: +81 75 872-0950
:
Web: http://monkeypark.jp/en/
Admission: Adult ¥550, Child ¥250
:
Opening Hours: Mar-Oct 9am-5pm, Nov-Feb
9am-4pm Train: Take JR train on the Sagano Line
and get down at Arashiyama Station; the park
entrance is about 15 minutes from there by walk.
Bus: Take a bus from Kyoto Station to reach the
foothills of Iwatayama directly.
13:50 Tenryuji Temple
0.5 KM, 7 minutes walking from Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
The Tenryuji Temple (Heavenly Dragon Temple) is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Kyoto and
also one of the most important temples in the Arashiyama district of Kyoto. This temple is the head temple,
with its own school, within Japanese Buddhism’s Rinzai Zen sect. The temple was built as a dedication to
Emperor Go-Daigo by shogun Ashikaga Takauji in 1339. It is the top ranked of the Five Great Zen Temples of
Kyoto and is today a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Most of the buildings in the Tenryuji Temple complex are recreations from the Meiji Period, as many of them
were destroyed during wars and through fires over the years. Enter the temple and view the Hojo or main hall
with its intricate designs. You can also view the Shoin or drawing hall and the temple kitchen or Kuri. The Kuri
has its own tower today, which is also a recreation from the Meiji Period. Visit the main attraction of the Image By: 663highland
temple, the Sogenchi-teien or Tenryuji Garden. Built by Muso Soseki, the renowned garden designer, this Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/Tenryu
garden has a plethora of rocks surrounding a centrally located pond. The Arashiyama mountains add to the
splendor of the garden, something that was achieved using the shakkei technique of incorporating the
landscape around into the design of a garden.
Address: 68 Saga-Tenryuji-Susukinobaba-cho,
Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone Number: +81 75 881-1235
Admission: ¥500
:
Opening Hours: Apr-Sept Mon-Sun
8:30am-5:30pm, Oct-Mar 8:30am-5pm
14:55 Okochisanso Garden
0.3 KM, 5 minutes walking from Tenryuji Temple
Okochi Sanso Garden is part of the Okochi Sanso (the term translates to Okochi Mountain Villa) in
Arashiyama region of Ukyo-ku, Kyoto. This villa with its beautiful gardens was the home of legendary
Japanese period film or jidaigeki actor Denjiro Okochi (1896-1962). The villa and gardens are situated on the
slopes of Mt. Ogura right next to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The entire construction is spread across
20,000 square meters and has some beautiful structures and the garden.
The gardens are quite large and beautifully designed and well-maintained. They were apparently designed
such that each season could be highlighted aesthetically: different sections had different vegetations; cherry
blossoms, Japanese maple trees, azaleas, and also pines. Enter the gardens through the main gate at
Okochi Sanso and explore the beautiful elements within. Walk along the stone paths here to see different Image By: MAKIKO OMOKAWA
views of Kyoto itself. There is also a magnificent view of the Hozu River below to check out. View the different Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/The_O
buildings inside the complex, including the Shoin or sitting room that doubles as a study built in the
Momoyama style of architecture and a Jibutsudo or temple built in the Kamakura style. Entry to these
buildings is forbidden, you can view them from the outside. Other buildings here include an open air museum
that showcases the life and works of Denjiro Okochi. Visit the beautiful tea house in the premises for a free Address: 10 Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho,
cup of tea and sweets. Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8394
Phone Number: +81 75 872-2233
Admission: ¥1000
:
16:15 Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple
1.7 KM, 22 minutes walking from Okochisanso Garden
Along with the large number of very famous shrines in Kyoto there are a few smaller and equally beautiful
shrines; one of the latter is the Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple. Located close to the Arashiyama area, this temple is
quite old and is steeped in the history of the place. It was built in the middle of the 8 th century by Empress
Shotoku. The temple was shifted to where it is now in 1922 and was also damaged in a typhoon in 1950.
You find 2 fierce looking Nio statues on each side of the gate as you enter Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple. The
temple looks old, with almost everything – statues and other elements – covered in a fine layer of moss. Near
the gate you see a statue of Kongorikishi. Explore the main building of the temple and see the amazing
Kannon Bodhisattva, the thousand-armed deity associated with love that is the main object of worship here.
Do not miss out on the main attraction of Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, the 1,200 Rakan statues. The Rakan are Image By: 663highland
disciples of Buddha. The sculptures are traditionally Japanese; the unique feature is that each has a different Image Source:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/Otagi_
facial expression, and there is even one holding a tennis racket. They were created and donated to the
temple only recently by amateurs from all across Japan on request by and under training from the sculptor
Kocho Nishimura. The first of these were donated sometime in 1981, a mere 35 years ago.
Address: 2-5 Fukatani-cho, Saga-Toriimoto,
Ukyo-ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 616-8439
Phone Number: +81 75 865-1231
:
Web: http://www.otagiji.com/page014.html
Admission: ¥300
:
Transportation: Accessible by bus. Buses
available from Kyoto Station, JR Saga Arashiyama
Station (go to the South exit to Nonomiya bus
stop), Hankyu Line Arashiyama Station, or Keihan
Line Sanjo Station; for the latter 3 the bus stop is
right in front of the station. Get down at Otagi-dera
mae bus stop.

Kyoto in Three Days Packed Itinerary

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Kyoto in Three Days Packed Itinerary

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Kyoto

Kyoto in Three Days Packed Itinerary

12:00 Kyoto Imperial Palace

13:05 Sento Imperial Palace

14:15 Nijo Castle

16:10 Nishiki Market

10:10 Kodai-ji Temple

11:00 Yasaka Shrine

11:35 Maruyama Park

13:25 Nanzen-ji Temple

14:40 Philosopher's Walk

Address: Saky?-ku, Kyoto, Japan

10:35 Arashiyama Bamboo

12:15 Arashiyama Monkey

13:50 Tenryuji Temple

14:55 Okochisanso Garden

16:15 Otagi Nenbutsuji

Address: Katsuramisono, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto,

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