Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sipping a cup of green tea while looking over the sublime garden at
Shōren-in
(
CLICK
HERE
).
Taking an evening stroll through the world of geisha in the
Gion District
(
CLICK HERE
).
Explore: Southern Higashiyama
Stretching along the base of the Higashiyama (Eastern Mountains) from the top of
Shichijō-dōri to the top of Sanjō-dōri, Southern Higashiyama comprises the thickest con-
centration of sights in all of Kyoto and is the place you should begin your exploration of
the city.
The well-established sightseeing route through this district is covered in our Hills,
route is the best way to get a good introduction to the area. It's best to do this route in the
order presented (south to north), since you'll be going slowly downhill most of the way,
but it's perfectly possible to do it from north to south. Keep in mind that the walking tour
does not cover some of the sights at the southern end of this district, like Sanjūsangen-dō,
a fine temple, and the Kyoto National Museum.
A half day is usually sufficient to cover the main walking route in Southern Hi-
gashiyama, but if you eat lunch en route and take your time, you could easily spend a full
day in this area. Note that this is Kyoto's most popular sightseeing district, so it will be
crowded during peak seasons. Also, don't forget that the lanes here are almost deserted in
the evening and a stroll through the darkened streets can be magical.
Downhill from the main sightseeing route, you'll find Gion, Kyoto's high-end enter-
tainment and geisha district. The best way to explore this area is to follow our Night Walk
Local Life
gashiyama, is popular with locals for picnics, strolls and dates.
