Kyoto Trip Overview
Kyoto is the best known sightseeing spot in Japan. As it was the old capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, it offers plenty of fabulous things to see such as venerated temples, shrines, Geisha and Uji matcha town.
One thing we strongly recommend is to visit traditional Japanese gardens which are acknowledged and admired throughout the world. Some of them beautifully harmonize with the surroundings and others provide space to indulge in meditation.
Here we offer a one-day tour introducing splendid gardens in Kyoto including Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Additional Info
Duration: 7 hours
Starts: Kyoto, Japan
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Kyoto Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is the best known sightseeing spot in Japan. As it was the old capital of Japan for over 1,000 years, it offers plenty of fabulous things to see such as venerated temples, shrines, Geisha and Uji matcha town.
One thing we strongly recommend is to visit traditional Japanese gardens which are acknowledged and admired throughout the world. Some of them beautifully harmonize with the surroundings and others provide space to indulge in meditation.
Here we offer a one-day tour introducing splendid gardens in Kyoto including Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Tenryuji Temple, 68 Saga Tenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-8385 Kyoto Prefecture
Tenryu-ji Temple which is designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site was founded in the 14th century by the then shogun, Ashikaga Takauji, in memory of the late emperor, Godaigo. The garden, arranged so that you can stroll around the pond, was designed by renowned zen priest Muso Soseki. Throughout the year you can enjoy this beautiful garden which cleverly incorporates the landscape behind it.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Bamboo Forest Street, Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 616-8394 Kyoto Prefecture
The renowned bamboo forest with its subtle hues of green and the sun slanting through has an exceptional beauty. The rustling of the leaves and the creaking of the trunks softly swaying in the breeze have a very relaxing effect. It’s an experience that you shouldn’t miss while being in Kyoto.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Ryoanji Temple, 13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 616-8001 Kyoto Prefecture
Ryoanji Temple is so famous that even Queen Elizabeth Ⅱ praised its beauty during her visit to Kyoto. It’s a typical dry garden. Though it’s made quite simply with only rocks, sand and green moss, it still inspires our imagination.
This garden is also famous for its ingenious stone arrangement: whatever angle you are looking at it from, there will always be one stone that is hidden from view
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Gion, Kyoto 605-0074 Kyoto Prefecture
In Kyoto, there are five Kagai (geisha districts), and Gion is the biggest one. Geisha are an important part of traditional Japanese culture. Let’s stroll around Gion district where beautiful, old-style houses are preserved. If you are lucky enough, you may encounter Geiko or Maiko (apprentices) dressed in gorgeous kimono.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Kennin-ji Temple, 584 Yamatooji Yojo-sagaru Komatsucho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0933 Kyoto Prefecture
Situated in the Gion area, this temple was founded by Eisai as the first zen temple in Kyoto. It dates back to 1202. There are two things here not to be missed:
One is its dry garden designed by Kumakichi Kato in 1940 which expresses the wabi-sabi aesthetic sense in Japanese art centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.
The other is a picture of powerful twin dragons painted on the ceiling of the main hall as can be seen in other head temples too. They are believed to protect Buddhism. As the painting was so large, it took the painter Junpei Koizumi almost two years to complete it.
Duration: 50 minutes