Years back and before having kids, my wife and I went on a vacation trip to Japan. The first city we went to on our trip was Japan’s capital city of Tokyo and from there we took the bullet train to Kyoto, which was an experience itself because of how fast the train goes. Kyoto is the naturally gorgeous, cultural capital of Japan. It is best known for its many aesthetically impressive classical Buddhist temples, shito shrines, gardens, imperial palaces, and traditional Japanese wooden houses. Collectively there is a lot to see from a tourism perspective and some of these historical landmarks are so cherished that they have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
A distinguished natural component of what makes Kyoto a special place to visit is the fall foliage. The leaves start to change colors in October and peak in mid-November. Fortunately for us, mid/late November is exactly when we were in Japan so really got a great opportunity to appreciate the fall colors, especially in Kyoto where they are magnificent. We loved Kyoto, it is a family-friendly city, and highly recommend visiting Kyoto as part of any tourism trip to Japan.
#1 Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle is beautiful and one of the most important landmarks in Kyoto, it was designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. This castle was built in 1603 to be the Kyoto residence for Tokugawa, the first Shogun of the Edo Period. There were enhancements made to the castle over time till the Shogunate fell in 1867 and was used as an imperial palace till it was donated to the city of Kyoto and opened up to the public for exploration and tourism. There are a few areas of the castle and all are worth exploring. The areas are Honmaru (primary circle for defense), and Ninomaru (secondary layer of defense), and both are surrounded by beautiful gardens. In addition, there are stone walls all around the castle that are an impressive feature.
The Ninomaru Palace is the main attraction on the castle grounds, it served as the residence and office for the shogun while he was visiting the city. There are multiple buildings tied to the palace and the tour allows for viewing the many different aspects of the palace including waiting rooms for visitors, offices, and living areas. Outside the palace is the Ninomaru Garden, it is very serene and beautiful. The Honmaru was the site of the second, five-story castle keep, it is enchanting and offers views of the castle grounds from the top. However, Honmaru is not always open to the public so it’s important to check before visiting.
#2 Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
In a city with no shortage of beautiful temples and other landmarks, the Kinkaku-ji Temple is one of the top signature symbols and the most visited attraction in Kyoto. This structure was originally built in 1397 as a retirement home for the Shogun at the time (Ashikaga Yoshimitsu) but per his will, it was converted into a Zen temple after his death in 1408.
This structure has been damaged, burned down, and rebuilt several times but its present state (1955) is picturesque with its beautiful golden colors on the building and spectacular garden, lush greenery, and pond around the temple. Parts of this palace and its grounds are open to the public while others are not. This palace is a must-see when visiting Kyoto.
#3 Kiyomizudera Temple (Pure Water Temple)
Kiyomizudera Temple is one of Japan’s most cherished temples. It was built in 780 and its name translates to “pure water temple” and was named as such because it was founded on the site of Otowa Waterfall. In 1994, this temple was also added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. The wooden stage that sticks out from the main hall and the dazzling scenery from up high of lush greens and beautiful trees and plants all around is what makes this temple distinct.
Among other things to explore around this temple are shrines such as the Jishu Shrine and the Otowa Waterfall are at the base of the main hall and have three separate streams flowing with folktales associated with consuming from each of them. There are beautiful temples in very close proximity to Kiyomizudera as well as a busy shopping street that combined together create a fascinating experience that we highly recommend.
#4 Nanzen-ji Temple
Nanzen-ji Temple is another beautiful temple in Kyoto and is one of the most significant Zen temples not just in Kyoto but all of Japan. This temple was originally built in the 13th century as a retirement residence for the emperor at the time, it was later converted into a Zen temple. Structures within the complex were built up over time but destroyed due to war. The oldest of the current buildings dates back to after the civil war ended in 1573.
There are sub-temples within the temple grounds that make the entire complex quite large. Parts of the complex are free to the public while there are entrance fees for other parts including some of the sub-temples. Paintings, gardens, and entrance gates are some of the highlights within the complex that make it a top temple to visit for tourists.
#5 Explore Local Markets and Food in Kyoto
Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan and its local markets offer plenty of opportunities to buy traditional products and cool souvenirs to take back home. Wall art and paintings are also some things worth considering, we actually had a street artist vendor put together a nice painting that included our names written in Japanese. This was one of the coolest things we have ever purchased on a vacation trip and have it displayed on a wall in our house to this day.
Japanese cuisine in general is unique and Kyoto has its own specialties that are worth trying. One thing in particular that we loved was Kyoto-style tofu, it is the best tofu we have ever had anywhere. High Soybeans are farmed around Kyoto but what makes tofu distinctly good is the high-quality soft water that comes from its mountainous and green terrains. It was delicious! Kyoto style-sushi and ramen are other foods worth trying while in the city.
There is a lot to see and do in Kyoto, for a personalized tour with family and friends, this (hyperlink) is a great option to consider (Personalized Half-day Tour).
