Area and Activities


Strolling through Kyoto while appreciating its seasonal beauty

Cherry blossoms and autumn foliage are synonymous with Kyoto. However, the City offers a wealth of sights throughout the year. Don’t miss local attractions that offer the experience of embracing the new season. While traveling around by bus or train is convenient, why not take a walk around the town? You may then discover a narrow alley or shop that may tempt you to come and visit Kyoto again. Here are some selected sights of Kyoto.

Splendid ancient Kyoto coloring the four seasons

With its precinct designated as a national historic site, Hongwanji Temple, also known as Nishi Hongwanji, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. The temple is a 20-minute walk from our hotel.
Of the many highlights, a particular must-see is the gorgeous Karamon gate, which is reportedly an ancient structural remnant of Fushimi Castle and is adorned with ornamental carvings of the Momoyama Period.
The gate is called “Higurashi-no-mon,” literally “twilight gate,” since viewers become so enchanted by its beauty that they do not realize when night falls.

Kawaramachi area

Satisfying your desire to visit temples and shrines, enjoy shopping and experience local cuisines, this area is full of charms that cannot be fully appreciated in one day. In July, the area offers a pleasant opportunity to enjoy the unique ambience of Gion Matsuri, one of Kyoto's three major festivals. The Kawaramachi area provides easy access to various local attractions, encouraging you to take side trips to other parts of the City.

Nijo-jo Castle
Kyoto Imperial Palace
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Saga and Arashiyama areas

When it comes to autumn foliage in Kyoto, Arashiyama vividly comes to mind. The brightly illuminated spots are too beautiful to miss. 
Bamboo groves are fun for taking a leisurely walk through clad in a kimono, or riding through in a rickshaw.
In addition to enjoying local cuisines while strolling around Arashiyama, rides on the Sagano Romantic Train and the Hozugawa River Boat are also popular activities offered in the area.

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion Temple)
Chikurin no Komichi (bamboo grove path)
Togetsukyo Bridge

Gion and Higashiyama Areas

Hanami-koji runs north to south across Shijo-dori Street in central Kyoto, serving as the main street of the Gion area.
The paving stones of Hanami-koji are also beautiful when wet with rain, exhibiting a refined atmosphere unique to Kyoto.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, Kodaiji Temple and Kenninji Temple, all of which are perennial favorites with tourists, demonstrate features that change from season to season.

Yasaka Shrine
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion Temple)

Kamigamo and Kibune Areas

Brimming with spiritual energy, the Kibune area exudes an otherworldly atmosphere, making it a very popular tourist destination in summer.
Kamigamo Shrine and Imamiya Shrine are both known as power spots and attract worshippers praying for a good partner. Buses provide easy access to the shrines, bringing you right to their doorsteps.

Kamigamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine
Kibune Shrine

Fushimi and Uji Areas

Fushimi is home to Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine, famous for its sen-bon-torii, or alleys of 1,000 vermillion torii gates. However, the Shrine is not the only attraction offered by the area. Visitors can also enjoy leisurely sake brewery tours in Fushimi, a place blessed with high quality underground water and thus ideal for sake brewing. Also noteworthy are rides on the old-fashioned Japanese houseboats Jikkoku-bune and Sanjikkoku-bune, which provide townscape views of Fushimi exuding a historical and quaint atmosphere.
  You also cannot miss Tofuku-ji Temple, which ranks among the top three places in Kyoto for viewing autumn foliage.

Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine
Tōfukuji Temple
Tōji Temple
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