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.