Kyoto attractions
At the Nishinjin Textile Center, specialising in the manufacture of fabrics for the kimono and obi (sashes), you can take in a free Kimono Fashion Show, view weaving and silk painting demonstrations, and admire the many beautiful craft items, traditional sweets, and teas for sale on the premises. The Kyoto Handicraft Center, a popular tax-free shop for foreign tourists, sells prints, dolls, dyed and woven crafts, porcelain and pottery. An interesting one-hour overview of traditional Japanese entertainment - ancient court music and dance, Kyomai dance (performed by apprentice Geisha), Kyogen comedy and Bonraku puppetry is offered at Gion Corner - and after the show, you can master the intricacies of the tea ceremony.
Be sure to visit the Nishiki Food Market, known as the 'kitchen of Kyoto' for a taste of the best - here over 120 shops sell fresh produce and seafood. For a real treat, try Kyoto's most famous confectionery shop, Tsuruya-Yoshinobu, where you can watch a craftsman prepare elegant flower-like cakes to go with your tea.
The Kyoto National Museum has fine archeological and art collections and you can tour the imposing Imperial Palace grounds and magnificent gardens (bookings essential, be sure to take your passport). Also of interest is Nijo Castle built in 1603 by the last Tokugawa shogun.
View from the top
There are 360-degree views over the city of Kyoto and surrounding hills from the Kyoto Tower, located across from the bus stops in front of Kyoto Station. Open 9.00 am to 9.00 pm.
Kyoto Station
Kyoto Station, the gateway to the city for most visitors, is the largest station in Japan. This massive, modern building offers a full range of facilities: restaurants, a Tourist Information Center (2F), museum, department store, shops, a theater and hotel.
The Bamboo Forest
At Arashiyama in Western Kyoto, this popular walk meanders through a peaceful forest of tall, grey-green bamboo. The road leads to the bright red Nonomiya Shrine, which is surrounded by mossy gardens. To get here take the JR Sugano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga Arashiyama.
Kyoto Museums
Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
Built in 1928, this museum is housed in an imposing, very large western-style brick building. The museum regularly holds special exhibits of modern and contemporary art by domestic and international artists. The museum collection consists of about 1,400 works of modern Japanese art.
Tel: 075-771-4107 Open: 9:00-17:00, closed on Mondays Entry: ¥400 for permanent exhibitions Access: Tozai subway line, Higashiyama Sta.
Fureaikan, Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts
Situated on the basement of the Miyako Messe, this facility is devoted to Kyoto's traditional craft culture. The hall also has modern media facilties such as video stations, computer searching, and a library devoted to Kyoto's traditional industries.
Tel: 075-762-2670 Open: 10:00-18:00, closed on Mondays Entry: free Access: Tozai subway line, Higashiyama Sta.
Kyoto National Museum
TThis red brick museum was built in 1895. It is a designated Important Cultural Asset. Its extensive collection is focused on ancient Oriental art and antiques from both China and Japan. The garden, featuring a fountain and many statues, is a beautiful place to relax.
Tel: 075-541-1151 Open: 9:00-16:30, closed on Mondays Entry: ¥420 for permanent exhibits Access: City bus, get off at Hakubutsukan, Sanjusangen-do-mae (#206 or #100 from Kyoto Sta.).
The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto
This stunning modern structure arranges seven or eight major annual exhibitions for masterpieces by Japanese and international artists. The museum also has an excellent permanent collection.
Tel: 075-761-4111 Open: 9:30-17:00 (open Friday nights, April to October), closed on Mondays Entry: ¥420 for permanent exhibits Access: Tozai subway line, Higashiyama Sta.
The Museum of Kyoto
This museum is devoted to providing a comprehensive introduction to the culture and history of Kyoto. The modern, main building holds regular major international art exhibitions, and also houses exhibits related to Kyoto, and reference rooms.
Tel: 075-222-0888 Open: 10:00-19:30, closed on the 3rd Wednesday of every month Entry: ¥500 for permanent exhibits Access: Karasuma subway line, Karasuma Oike Sta.
Kyoto Prefectural Insho-Domoto Museum of Fine Arts
This private, fine art museum is home to a collection of 2,200 works by Domoto Insho, a famous Japanese painter, who established himself in Kyoto. The collection contains an excellent body of abstract paintings based on Buddhist themes.
Tel: 075-463-0007 Open:9:30-17:00, closed on Mondays Entry: ¥500 Access: City bus, get off at Ritsumeikan-daigaku-mae (#50 from Kyoto Sta.)
Garden of Fine Art, Kyoto (Toban Meiga no Niwa)
Featuring ceramic copies of eight famous works of art (first exhibited at the International Garden and Greenery Expo in Osaka in 1990), this area is located adjacent to the Kyoto Botanical Garden. Works displayed include "The Last Judgment" by Michelangelo, and "Water Lilies" by Monet. Designed by Tadao Ando, a famous modern architect, the garden is well worth visiting.
Tel: 075-724-2188 Open: 9:00-17:00 Entry: ¥100 Access: Karasuma subway line, Kitayama Sta.
Costume Museum
This museum has all kinds of exhibits related to the world's 2,000 years of costume history.
Address: 5F Izutsu-minamiten, 42 Sumiyoshi-cho, Rokujo-sagaru, Nishinakasuji, Shimogyo-ku.
(#9, #28, #75, from Kyoto Sta..) Open: 9:00-17:00 (entry until 16:30), closed on Sundays, holidays, the end of the year and New Years Tel: 075-525-1311 Entry: ¥400 Access: Kyoto city bus, get off at Nishi-honganji-mae.
Hosomi Museum
Home to the art collection started by Hosomi Kokoan, a prosperous Osaka businessman. This musuem consists of about 1,000 exceptional pieces including paintings, carvings, and fine handicrafts, of which twelve are Important Cultural Properties.
Tel: 075-752-5555 Open:10:00-18:00, closed on Mondays Entry: ¥700 Access: Tozai subway line, Higashiyama Sta.
Museum of Ikebana
This library and exhibit hall, which opened in 1976, provides a comprehensive range of information on Japanese flower arrangement. Advanced reservation is required for entry to this facility.
Tel: 075-221-2686 Open: 9:00-16:00, closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays Entry: free (reservations required) Access: Karasuma subway line, Karasuma Oike Sta.
Kanpo Museum
This excellent museum has a wide range of exhibits related to the fine art of Japanese calligraphy.
Address: 35 Minamigosho-machi, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku. (#5, #100 from Kyoto Sta..) Open: 10:00-16:00, closed on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, Aug.12-15, the end of the year and New Years Tel: 075-771-6111 Entry: ¥300, one-week advance reservations suggested for holidays Access: Kyoto city bus, get off at Dobutsuen-mae
Sen-oku Hakuko Kan (Sumitomo Collection)
Home to a priceless collection of 600 Chinese bronze works and countless examples of superb Chinese calligraphy, this museum was founded by the Sumitomo family in 1960.
Tel: 075-771-6411 Open: 10:00-16:00, March-June and Sept.-Nov., closed on Mondays and holidays Entry: ¥700 Access: City bus, get off at Higashitenno-cho (#5 and 100 from Kyoto Sta..
The Jotenkaku Museum
Shokokuji Temple is one of Kyoto's oldest and most important Zen temples. Its collection includes numerous treasures from the Golden and Silver pavilions, including four National Treasures, and 111 Important Cultural Properties.
Tel: 075-241-0423 Open: 10:00-17:00, closed irregularly and during the New Year's holiday Entry: ¥600 Access: Karasuma subway line, Imadegawa St.
Other attractions
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Located almost in the center of the city, this huge park-like compound, includes several palace buildings. It was also the location of many fine residences belonging to the ranking noble court families. These residences were torn down and a massive park, with lawns and over 9,000 trees, was created. Today, this extensive park area is a highly popular recreation and relaxation zone.
Tel: 075-211-1215 (Kyoto office of the Imperial Household Agency) Reservations, in person, via the Imperial Household Agency, are required for the inner palace area (except for 5 days in spring and autumn). Access: Karasuma subway line,Imadegawa Sta.
Shugakuin Imperial Villa
This villa was constructed by Emperor Gomizunoo, and served as his retirement palace from 1655 to 1659. The villa encloses an area of 540,000 square meters and three large gardens, making it perhaps the largest private compound in Kyoto. The upper tea garden is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Japan. Outstanding views of Mt. Kurama and Mt. Atago can be enjoyed here. Advance reservations are required through the Imperial Household Agency.
Tel: 075-211-1215 (Kyoto office of the Imperial Household Agency) Access: City bus, get off at Shugakuin-Rikyu-michi (#5 bound for Iwakura Soshajo from Kyoto Sta.).
Katsura Imperial Villa
Construction of this world-famous architectural and garden masterpiece began in 1620. Its 56,000 square meter area is landscaped with a series of superbly designed gardens in which a number of simple, yet elegant halls and tea houses are located. Entry to the garden must be arranged in advance through the Kyoto office of the Imperial Household Agency.
Tel: 075-211-1215 (Kyoto office of the Imperial Household Agency) Access: City bus, get off at Katsura-rikyu-mae (#33 from Kyoto Sta.).
Gion Area
This extensive area is bordered by Yasaka Shrine to the east, Kenninji Temple to the south, the Kamogawa river to the west and Shinbashi Street to the north. It is Kyoto's most famous and popular entertainment district, full of first-class Japanese restaurants, bars and clubs.
Access: City bus, get off at Gion (#206, 100 from Kyoto Sta..
Sannenzaka/Ninenzaka Area
Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka, leading from Yasaka Shrine to Kiyomizu Temple in three, separate, sloped stages, is a designated national historical preservation area. Interesting souvenir shops which sell Kiyomizu pottery, Nishijin weavings and others handmade articles line each street (no cars) and lend a bustling, exotic atmosphere. These streets are also highly recommended for late evening and early morning strolls, when the visitor can easily imagine that time had stopped a hundred years ago.
Access: City bus, get off at Kiyomizu-michi (#206 from Kyoto Sta.
Maruyama Park
This park, covering about 90-thousand square meters, is located right behind Yasaka Shrine. Within in the park, there are open-air tea shops and restaurants, ponds. It is a popular destination in all seasons. It is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, known especially for its giant willow-like cherry tree, located at the center of the park.
Tel: 075-561-0533 Entry: free Access: City bus, get off at Gion (#206 and 100 from Kyoto Sta.).
Tetsugakuno-michi (Path of Philosophy)
This famous walking route stretches for two kilometers, along a canal, between Ginkakuji Temple and Nyakuoji Shrine at the base of the Higashiyama foothills. The path was named after the famous philosopher Nishida Kitaro, who liked to walk along this route and meditate on philosophical matters. The path is popular year-round, especially in spring for cherry blossoms and in early summer for fireflys.
Access: City bus, get off at Ginkakuji-mae or Nanzenji-Eikando-michi (#5 and 100 from Kyoto Sta.).
Takaragaike Park
This park of beautiful lawns and natural forests is the most spacious in Kyoto and is home to the city's largest artificial lake (which was designed to serve as disaster relief in the event of a serious drought). The park is surrounded with landscaped walking paths and open areas. The Kyoto International Conference Hall, located on the opposite side of the lake, stands as a unique combination of Japanese traditional and modern architecture.
Access: Karasuma subway line, Kokusai-kaikan Sta.
Ohashike Garden
The clear sound of water dripping in the basin of this garden is said to refresh the soul.
Access: 45 Kaido-cho, Fushimi-ku. Open: 10:00-16:30, closed on Wednesday and Aug. 14-16, Dec. 26-Jan. 3 Entry: ¥500 Experience: Green tea and Japanese sweets (¥400) Access: JR Nara line, Inari Sta.
