DAY ONE: KYOTO's EAST SIDE HIGHLIGHTS
9:00am Go to Heian Jingu Shrine
Suggested: by foot from Higashiyama Station
Where better to start your tour than at the Heian Shrine, which boasts an amazing classical Chinese style garden which would have been right at home in the Heian period (794-1159) a time when the privileged classes walk around in fine garments writing poetry and having incense parties. Just make sure to be first in the gate before the busses unload and you will feel like you have the place to yourself. This shrine has a huge replica of the original imperial palace but the real highlight is the garden which is very large and quite peaceful compared to other sites in Kyoto.
Suggested: by foot from Higashiyama Station
Where better to start your tour than at the Heian Shrine, which boasts an amazing classical Chinese style garden which would have been right at home in the Heian period (794-1159) a time when the privileged classes walk around in fine garments writing poetry and having incense parties. Just make sure to be first in the gate before the busses unload and you will feel like you have the place to yourself. This shrine has a huge replica of the original imperial palace but the real highlight is the garden which is very large and quite peaceful compared to other sites in Kyoto.
10:00am Go to Ginkaku-Ji Temple (the Silver Pavilion)
Suggested: by taxi from Heian Jingu (1000yen)
Less glamourous than Kinkaku-Ji (the Golden Pavilion) this temple was built by a famous shogun as a retirement home to be later made a Zen temple. The funny thing is the temple never received it's silver roof because of the outbreak of civil war in Kyoto. While the city burned and the rivers ran with blood, the shogun rested here and followed a lifestyle later to be know as Higashiyama Bunka which was heavily influenced by Zen and the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi (or beauty in simplicity and imperfection) The gardens here are stunning! Lots of moss and a mixture of ponds and sand stone gardens make it my favourite in Kyoto.
Suggested: by taxi from Heian Jingu (1000yen)
Less glamourous than Kinkaku-Ji (the Golden Pavilion) this temple was built by a famous shogun as a retirement home to be later made a Zen temple. The funny thing is the temple never received it's silver roof because of the outbreak of civil war in Kyoto. While the city burned and the rivers ran with blood, the shogun rested here and followed a lifestyle later to be know as Higashiyama Bunka which was heavily influenced by Zen and the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi (or beauty in simplicity and imperfection) The gardens here are stunning! Lots of moss and a mixture of ponds and sand stone gardens make it my favourite in Kyoto.
11am Walk the Tetsu-gaku-no-michi (Path of Philosophy)
This lovely walk was named in much more recent history for the two philosophers who loved to ramble along the lovely canal while waxing philosophy. There are over 400 cherry trees along this 2km path and when they are in bloom in late March and early April it is simply stunning. There are several shrines and temples along the way. While it is tempting to go to each one, I normally just keep moving along till I get to Nanzen-Ji
12noon Walk through one of the largest gates in Japan and then check out the Zen Garden at Nanzen-Ji temple. You can even go up to the top of the gate and get a cool view of Kyoto. This area also is home to a huge aqueduct which would look at home in Roman Europe. It's a lovely area to take some photos and has an array of little gardens to check out. You can wander most of the grounds without paying any entrance fees but you can also go inside to see the sand and stone garden or one of the sub temple gardens for a fee.
1pm Go eat some Okonomiyaki for lunch.
Okonomiyaki is a well know "Kansai" area specialty which is sometimes described as "Japanese pizza" and there is a shop right around the corner from the International Centre which is very tasty and provides an English Menu.
Okonomiyaki is a well know "Kansai" area specialty which is sometimes described as "Japanese pizza" and there is a shop right around the corner from the International Centre which is very tasty and provides an English Menu.
Afternoon
Wander the streets of Gion stopping for coffee breaks along the way. You can also explore Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park. Great time for spotting Maiko and Geisha running off to dinner appointments. I especially like to explore the area around Shirokawa River.
Wander the streets of Gion stopping for coffee breaks along the way. You can also explore Yasaka Shrine and Maruyama Park. Great time for spotting Maiko and Geisha running off to dinner appointments. I especially like to explore the area around Shirokawa River.
5pm Go to Kiyomizu Temple for an amazing sunset view. Closes at 6:30pm
Suggested: by taxi from Gion (1000 yen)
Kiyomizu temple is the most famous landmark in Kyoto and it is usually very busy. It opens very early at 6am and closes late for a temple (6:30pm). The road up and down from the temple is quite steep and there are a lot of stairs so it's not great to go when you are too tired or with people who have physical limitations, but it has a very festive atmosphere. It also has stunning views and the famous "love shrine" also on the temple grounds. The temple is built on a huge platform looking out at the valley of trees and the city below.
Suggested: by taxi from Gion (1000 yen)
Kiyomizu temple is the most famous landmark in Kyoto and it is usually very busy. It opens very early at 6am and closes late for a temple (6:30pm). The road up and down from the temple is quite steep and there are a lot of stairs so it's not great to go when you are too tired or with people who have physical limitations, but it has a very festive atmosphere. It also has stunning views and the famous "love shrine" also on the temple grounds. The temple is built on a huge platform looking out at the valley of trees and the city below.
6:30-7:30pm Walk from Kiyomizu Temple to Yasaka Jinja (great atmosphere at night through the cobble stone streets)
This area is called Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. Legend has it if you slip on the stairs you will meet an early death within three years or two years respectively. Watch your footing as the area is spectacular. Lots of small roads lined with shops and an atmosphere like what you could imagine from centuries past.
The above would definitely be a very busy day so I would suggest to break the day up with a few stops here and there or try not to do it all in the same day. Enjoy your time in Kyoto and be sure to check out our other action packed day suggestion for Day Two: Kyoto's West Side Highlights.
