Discover a New Side of Kyoto: 7 Scenic and Cultural Spots in Kyoto’s Suburbs

Amanohashidate is one of Japan’s Top 3 Scenic Spots, along with the bay of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture and Miyajima in Aki, Hiroshima Prefecture. Across the length of this 3.6km landbridge you’ll find 5000 pine trees planted across its 20m-170m wide shores. It’s magical look and feel carved out by nature over many millennia has earned it a spot on many of Japan’s best 100-lists, including 100 Best Famous Pine Trees, 100 Best Green Pines and White Sands, 100 Best Shorelines and 100 Best Beautiful Biospheres in Japan.

Ine Bay is located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, where fishing has been thriving since ancient times. Along the coast, there is a row of buildings called "Funaya," whose first floor is connected to the sea as a storage area for boats used for fishing. The landscape of about 230 boathouses lined up for about 5km is rare in all of Japan and has been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

Otokoyama (Mt. Otokoyama) towers over the Yodo River, where the Katsura, Uji, and Kizu Rivers converge. Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine, once called Otokoyama Hachimangu Shrine, is located at this strategic point on the border between Kyoto and Osaka.

It is a vast temple whose precincts are the area around Mt. Hiei (Hieizan) at the altitude of 848 meters and was built in 788 by Saicho, who opened the Tendai sect. Filling a role as a comprehensive Buddhist university, it has been called "the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism" and has had a great influence on the history of Japan. Moreover, it also played a role in protecting Kyoto, which was the capital for 1000 years. It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994.

Miyama, Nantan City in Kyoto Prefecture, is home to a gathering of rare thatched-roof houses. The northern settlement is especially known for its preserved 39 thatched-roof houses, designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, beloved to this day as a nostalgic landscape of Japan that melts against the backdrop of picture-perfect seasons.

Once used as fish-shaped torpedo warehouses by the Navy, this complex now houses eight red brick warehouses, all designated as important cultural properties by the country. Building No. 1, among them, is preserved as one of the oldest existing steel-frame brick structures.

Founded in 806 during the Heian period by Enchin, who also established Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Located in the mountains of Nagaoka-kyo, it is often referred to as the "Kiyomizu of the West." Since ancient times, the 'Okouzui' spring water emerging within the temple grounds is believed to cure eye diseases, attracting devotees, particularly those suffering from eye ailments since the Heian period. The temple has deep connections with emperors and noble families, and its treasure house contains items bestowed by the Imperial family and historical figures.

The bridge was built in the first half of the 9th century during the Heian period (794-1185). It has been washed out many times, but each time it has been rebuilt. It is said that the name was given by Emperor Kameyama in the Kamakura period (1185-1333), as the moon moved across the bridge as if it were crossing over it.
The bridge has been featured in numerous ukiyoe woodblock prints, including those by Utagawa Hiroshige and Katsushika Hokusai, and has become a representative landscape of Arashiyama.

This is the head temple of the Tenryuji sect of the RInzai school. It was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, during the early Muromachi period, in memory of Emperor Go-daigo, with Muso Kokushi (the eminent Zen master Muso Soseki) appointed as founding abbot. It was ranked first among Kyoto's Five Mountains of Zen temples. The temple’s precincts, which stretch across the site of Emperor Go-Saga’s Kameyama detached palace, are both Japan’s first historic site and special scenic beauty. They were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 as a part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto”.

The delightful scenery attracted noble families and poets who built their homes in Sagano. Sagano bamboo trail spans about 400m (437 yards) from Nonomiya Shrine, via Tenryuji Temple’s north gate to Okochi Sanso cottage.
Green bamboos shoot up to the sky. The beautiful scene is often in travel magazines, TV shows, and ads, known as Kyoto’s famous landscape. The trees grow straight up and the tops bend over, creating a bamboo tunnel.

An imperial authority in the Heian Period, Fujiwara Michinaga used this place as a vacation home. His son Yorimichi inherited, converted and opened it as a temple in 1052. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The remodeling in 2014 brought it back closer to its original state. The main Amida Buddha statue in Amida Hall is worth a look. You will be amazed by the symmetrical beauty of the building. At the time of construction, the idea of being saved into heaven was popular and the building reflects the image of a heavenly palace. The front looks like a bird stretching wings and a pair of phoenixes is on the roof, thus, called Phoenix Hall since the early Edo Period. This is a national treasure.

This ancient shrine, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto," has been attracting reverence for centuries. It is said to have been established in 1060, three years after the construction of Uji Byodoin Temple in 1053, serving as its guardian shrine. As the protective deity of Uji's land, it has been continuously worshipped by people from all walks of life, from commoners to nobility, and it still gathers much reverence today.

This public museum is themed around "The Tale of Genji," a timeless classic written by Murasaki Shikibu in the Heian period and still widely read over a thousand years later. It particularly focuses on the "Uji Chapters" and the main character "Hikaru Genji," conveying their stories through models and videos for easy understanding.

Osaka offers diverse attractions ranging from mouthwatering cuisine, shopping, and entertainment facilities like theme parks, to historic architecture, making it an exciting destination for travelers.
The city of Osaka is divided into five distinct areas, each with unique characteristics, attractions, and experiences, allowing visitors to easily tailor their sightseeing plans to their preferences.
From Kyoto Station to Osaka Station, the train ride takes roughly 45 minutes—or even less if using the rapid service—making Osaka very accessible.
When visiting Osaka, don’t miss our curated article highlighting essential sightseeing spots and delicious local dishes.

Nara, with a history surpassing even that of Kyoto, offers a remarkable collection of UNESCO World Heritage sites, national treasures, and important cultural properties. Besides impressive historic buildings, Nara is famous for its numerous cultural assets, including stunning Buddhist statues.
Like Kyoto, Nara once served as Japan’s capital, but it offers visitors a distinctly different atmosphere. Its deep historical charm and cultural significance make it a popular destination to explore alongside Kyoto, allowing tourists to fully immerse themselves in Japan’s ancient heritage.
Nara is conveniently accessible from Kyoto Station via the JR Nara Line, with the journey taking only about an hour. This ease of access is one reason many visitors choose to explore both cities together.
The following article introduces carefully selected sightseeing spots in Nara—be sure to reference it when planning your visit.

Shiga Prefecture offers beautiful natural scenery, highlighted by Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. Conveniently accessible from Kyoto, it's highly recommended as a combined sightseeing destination.
From Kyoto Station, Otsu Station in Shiga Prefecture is only about 10 minutes away by JR Tokaido Main Line. Not only is Shiga easy to integrate into a one-day sightseeing plan, but if you choose Shiga as your accommodation base, you'll still comfortably enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto.
Besides Lake Biwa and abundant mountain landscapes, Shiga boasts significant cultural attractions such as Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and renowned local delicacies like Omi beef.