Kyoto is such a popular place in the Kansai region. Its probably the most popular from a tourism perspective.

Kyoto for a first time visitor is a challenging experience because you need to take either the subway or a bus from the train station to a majority of the major sites. There are two that are very close to the Kyoto train station, but the really popular ones are not within walking distance. This is coming from someone who likes to walk 7-8 miles per day while on vacation.

We found having two guide books between 4 of us was necessary, but even still did not encompass enough information. We still used the internet + the bus station tourism office as well as the guide books to find out the best routes, the exact transportation required, and schedules and costs of temples.

Without further ado, here are the Kyoto Guidebooks.

Total Japan Books

Ryouan-ji is a temple that contains perhaps the most famous Japanese rock garden in the world. The reason being it was the first rock garden.

The entrance fee is a little high in our opinion for what you get to see at the temple. Ryouanji is not very large and there is not much to see here aside from the rock garden. As usual, you swap your shoes for sandals and walk through the small temple.

There are many tourists sitting and watching the rock garden quietly. If you think you won ‘t be upset missing this attraction we would recommend skipping it. However, the grounds of Ryouanji are quite beautiful and definitely worth the trip by themselves.

The Temple and Rock Garden

The Grounds of Ryouanji

On top of Mt. Hiei sits Enryaku-ji temple. The founder of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, Saicho established the temple in 788. Enryaku-ji is still a very active temple where monks practice. Monks at this temple have kept a sacred fire going for 1200 years straight.

Reserved for Ninaji Temple.

Nijo Castle, or Nijo-jo, is a walled fortified castle surrounded by a moat. This castle gets very busy so you may want to arrive early in the day. Nijo Castle is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Nijo-jo was built for the Tokugawa Shoguns. The floors were built in a way to specifically make a creaking noise to warn of enemies.

Getting to Nijo Castle

From Kyoto station buy a bus pass. The place to buy a pass is outside the station, straight ahead on the right hand side. You will want to take the City bus 9, 12, 50, or 101.

You can alternatively take the subway from Kyoto Station to Nijojomae station on the Tozai Line.

Kinkakuji Temple is known as the Gold Pavilion. However, its formal and true name is Rokuon-ji. If you look at Unesco’s list of sites they list this temple as Rokuon-ji. Kinkakuji was built in 1397 by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and covered in gold to display great presence. Kinkakuji was destroyed by fire in 1950 and was rebuilt in 1955 better than its ever looked before.

Why is it called the Gold Pavillion?

The temple is covered in gold leaf. However, the first floor is not gold at all.

Temple Grounds

The grounds of Kinkakuji are great to wander through. The path takes you around the back of the temple and up the stone steps and a slight hill to the Shinun Shrine where there is also a shopping opportunity. Sample some bean curb sweets here too.

All over Japan’s famous sites you will see loads of school children on field trips, much more than you may be used to seeing anywhere else in the world. Kinkakuji is no different, in fact its the most popular. Westerners are guaranteed to be approach by kids wanting to practice their English. Questions such as “where are you from?” are regular. You may even be asked to take pictures and sign autographs.