Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Central Kyoto comprises the entire middle of the city (except Downtown Kyoto and the
Kyoto Station area). It includes the Kyoto Imperial Palace and its lovely park. To the
north is Shimogamo-jinja, a shrine in a forest setting, and to the south Tō-ji, one of
Kyoto's oldest temples. Central Kyoto is also home to Daitoku-ji, a self-contained world
of Zen temples, gardens and lanes.
Southern Higashiyama, at the base of the Higashiyama (Eastern Mountains), is Kyoto's
richest area for sightseeing. Thick with temples, shrines, museums and traditional shops,
it's great to explore on foot, with some pedestrian-only walkways plus parks and expans-
ive temple grounds. It's also home to the Gion entertainment district and some of the
city's finest ryokan (Japanese inns).
At the northern end of the Higashiyama (Eastern Mountains), this area is packed with
first-rate attractions and soothing greenery, making it one of the best parts of the city for
relaxed sightseeing. It stretches from Nanzen-ji in the south to Ginkaku-ji in the north,
two temples linked by the lovely Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi). Other attrac-
tions here include Hōnen-in, a quiet temple overlooked by the crowds, and the museums
around Okazaki-kōen.
Northwest Kyoto contains two of Kyoto's most important temples: Kinkaku-ji, also
known as the Golden Pavilion, and Ryōan-ji, home of Japan's most famous Zen garden.
Other sights here include the Shōgun's castle of Nijō-jō and the enclosed world of the
Myōshin-ji temple.
