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Kyoto's temples & shrines
The epicentre of Japanese culture and history, Kyoto is home to the very best temples and shrines.
Kyoto is the most culturally rich city in Asia, home to over 2,000 temples and shrines, an original castle, an imperial palace, several imperial villas, four geisha districts, countless beautiful gardens, bamboo groves and much, much more. You could spend years here trying to cover everything, so we wouldn't blame you for getting a little overwhelmed if you have just two or three days to spare!
Of the many sights, 17 are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so we suggest you pick a couple of these to start your sightseeing. Kinkaku-ji, otherwise known as the Golden Temple, is a must-see as is nearby Ryoan-ji for its famous Zen rock garden. The wooden stage of Kiyomizu-dera offers fantastic views across the city and is particularly spectacular in spring and autumn, while climbing the endless tunnels of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine is a great way for the more energetic to spend an atmospheric afternoon.
Wherever you go, be sure to allow time for deviations. Sometimes the best spots in Kyoto are those not mentioned in the guidebooks (or on our website!). You never know - a deserted little temple tucked among the shopping arcades or a quiet teahouse at the back of a shrine complex might make your day. Our advice is to accept that you can't see everything and instead to seek out the little details and let the magic of Kyoto enchant you.
For more information email us: [email protected] or call: + 44 117 244 3380
A quick note about our experiences: Our experiences are designed to be part of a complete, tailor-made travel package and are not available to book individually. This allows us to ensure every detail – from accommodation to transport – is perfectly coordinated for you. If you're interested in one of these experiences, we'd love to help you build a full itinerary around it!
Interested in this Experience? It is included in this tour:
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An essential two-week itinerary featuring some of Japan's classic sights, including Tokyo, Kyoto and Mount Fuji.
Best of Japan
The perfect itinerary for first-time visitors to Japan: cities, countryside, hot springs, great food, history and culture. Locations you will visit include Japan's historic capital, Kyoto; the modern metropolis of Tokyo; the Fuji-Hakone National Park; Takayama in the Japanese Alps; and Hiroshima.
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Experience the old town Tokyo atmosphere in the Shitamachi district.
Gunkanjima cruise
Take a boat trip to see the mysterious island of Gunkanjima - aka 'Battle Ship Island'.
Inside Japan UK office
Inside Japan US office
Inside Japan Australia office
Inside Japan - Japan office
