Dotted with plenty of world heritage sites, there’s a lot to see there. The desire to hop from one place to another is understandable, but if you pack too much into your itinerary, you won’t be able to truly relish the place and even the smallest delays will get on your nerves.
Head to Kinkakuji Temple, and you’ll willl see lots of places of interest, traditional souvenir shops, and specialty restaurants.
Start by getting your spirits up at Kinkakuji Temple!
Kinkakuji Temple is an excellent spot that you should see when you’re in Kyoto. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to get that close to the temple, but it’s perfect for a great photo shoot.
There’s a special walkway to see the temple. You can see the iconic architecture of the temple. When you continue on, the back comes into view. You can also see the corner of the temple from an elevated area. Enjoy the stroll!
URL:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinkaku-ji
Head to Ryoanji
Ryoanji Temple is within walking distance from Kinkakuji, but you can also use a bus. During the fall, you can see the lovely colours. There’s only one road, so there’s no chance of getting lost. I recommend taking a leisurely walk there.
At first glance, it may seem like there’s nothing there, but when you sit and gaze at it, you’ll feel like your mind is being cleansed. Although it’s okay to take pictures here, I recommend taking your time and appreciating the unique atmosphere of the place.
URL:http://www.ryoanji.jp/smph/eng/
Ninnaji Temple- A filming location for historical plays
A walk away from Ryoanji Temple is Ninnaji Temple. This is also a place you should pay a visit to. You are free to roam the grounds here and take photos. It opens at 9 am in the morning and this is a great time to visit before it gets crowded.
Historical plays are sometimes filmed there in the morning so you might be able to catch some action!
No concrete information is available about this and it mostly depends on your luck. Popular movies like Kazunari Ninomiya and Ko Shibasaki’s The Lady Shogun and Her Man (2010), Rurouini Kenshin (2012), Honnoji Hotel (2017) have all been filmed in part in Ninnaji Temple.
You cannot see them up close because entry is off limits, but you can see them from a distance from the walkway. There’s an abundant variety so don’t miss them.
Take your time to visit World Heritage Sites.
It’s understandable to rush if you have a short time to go sightseeing. However, if you’re visiting Kyoto for even just one day, it’s better to let time flow slowly.
Even though it’s fun to check out the hustle and bustle of downtown Kyoto, the three World Heritage Sites introduced here to offer a completely different atmosphere. Enjoy another side of Kyoto.
