Touristic Suggestions
There is so much to see and do in Kyoto, we’re sure everyone will find something and enjoy it. Here are just a few suggestions among others.
Be sure to check out our other web pages with suggestions and information to enable you to prepare and enjoy your stay in Kyoto — Visiting KYOTO
Kodai-Ji Temple Light-Up
Kodai-ji Temple, located between Kiyomizu Temple and the Maruyama Park, hosts one of the beautiful and fun nighttime illuminations held at the temple in the spring and fall. It is not a mere light-up, but a real Sound and Light show! Usually very crowded, but well worth it!
Kodai-ji Temple
Kodai-ji Temple is located between the Yasaka no To Pagoda, and the Maruyama Park. It is one of the finest temples in the Southern Higashiyama Area. its beautiful garden is a designated national historic and famous scenic place. Specially nice during light-ups!
Toji Temple
Toji Temple is not just this beautiful five stories Pagoda, the largest in Japan, that has become a symbol of Kyoto. There is much more to this temple than that. It houses a beautiful collection of statues and paintings, gorgeous garden, one of the oldest and largest market in Kyoto…
Nishi Hongan-Ji Temple
Located just North of the Kyoto Station, Nishi-Hongan-ji Temple is a Pure Land Buddhist Temple. This temple serves as the headquarters of the Hongan-ji Branch of the Jodo (Pure Land) School of Buddhism. Unesco World Heritage Site.
“Sento-Kuyo” Memorial, Adashino Nenbutsu-ji
Adashino Nenbutsu-ji is a Buddhist temple located on a hill overlooking Kyoto from the northwest. On August 23 and 24, more than 1,000 candles are lit around the 8,000 Buddha stone statues in honor of the spirits of the deads.
Ukai Cormorant Fishing, Arashiyama
Ukai is a traditional fishing method which uses trained cormorants to catch river fish such as sweetfish (ayu). This type of fishing has been around for over 1300 years, back to the Heian Period.
Daimonji Manto Kuyoe, Nara
On August 15th, thousands of lanterns dedicated to the Great Buddha statue (Daibutsu) and to the ancestor’s spirits that are believed to visit this world during the “Obon” festival are lit around the Todaiji temple.
Hassaku in Gion, Aug 2014
August first is a very special day in Kyoto’s Gion district. The term designates the first day of the eighth month in the ancient Japanese calendar, Gion’s Hassaku is an opportunity to see many of the “Geiko” and “Maiko” from Japan’s most renowned “Hanamachi” or geisha district.
Hanagasa Flower Hat Procession
Right after the second Yamaboko procession on July 24th is one of my favorite parade in Kyoto, the Hanagasa Junko. With a large number of costumed participants, it’s a real treat for photographers. . .
Yamaboko Grand Parade – Ato Matsuri
On the 24th, the procession of floats (Yamaboko Junko) also starts at 9:00 and last to about 11:30. This is the second procession (Atomatsuri) featuring only 10 large floats. It follows a different route. . .
Yamaboko Junko, Gion Matsuri
This year’s “Yamaboko Junko” parade of huge wooden festival floats (Yama and Hoko) took place under heavy rain (we were spare a typhoon but got a tropical storm). There were talks of cancelation, but I’ve heard that . . .
Shirabyoshi Dancer, Gion Matsuri
The Gion Matsuri is Kyoto’s largest festival. it is a unique opportunity to see a number of Japanese traditions, religious processions, dances, music, historical costumes, etc. Here, Shirabyōshi (白拍子) female dancers . . .
Gion Matsuri Festival
Gion Matsuri (祇園祭), the festival of the Yasaka Shrine, is one of the three largest festivals in Japan, and probably the most famous one. It takes place in Kyoto over the entire month of July. There are many different events,
Nagoshi no Harae Summer Purification
Every year, at the end of June, many shrines hold an ancient Japanese purification rite called “Nagoshi no Harae”. In this ceremony people atone for their sins . . .
Equestrian Festival at the Fujinomori Shrine
The Fujinomori’s festival is famous for the Kakeuma Shinji Shinto ritual that shows skills of handstand and “Fujikudari” (pretending to have been hit by an enemy’s arrow) while riding . . .
Yabusame Shinji at Shimogamo Shrine
Yabusame is the traditional Japanese art of mounted archery. An archer on a running horse shoots three special “turnip-headed”arrows successively at three wooden targets.
Shopping in Kyoto
Shopping is one of the pleasures of being on holiday. Products that you can use on an everyday basis while also feeling the atmosphere of Kyoto make perfect gifts for yourself and for others. Take the feeling of Kyoto home with you!
Hirano Jinja, a Favorite Hanami Spot
Hirano Jinja (Shrine) is a very old Shinto shrine — established in the year 794. It is among the most popular spots in Kyoto among Japanese people for its gardens and numerous cherry trees, for viewing the flowers, singing and drinking.
The Philosopher’s Path
The Philosopher’s Path (哲学の道, Tetsugaku no michi) is a pleasant stone path through the northern part of Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. The path follows a canal which is lined by hundreds of cherry trees.
Rickshaw Tour
How about a Rickshaw Tour around one of the numerous touristic spots of the city? I’ve seen them around a few times and always thought we too should try that. It does look like fun and a great way to look around spots such as Arashiyama, Kodaiji or Miyagawa-Cho.
Beginning of the Cherry Blossoms
Today, we had a beautiful warm and sunny day. On the way back from the Kyoto Station, we realized that the cherry trees along the bank of the Kamogawa River were starting to blossom.
