wendy's Reviews Page 6/27

Kyoto has many temples and shrines, but Nijo-jo Castle has a completely different atmosphere. It was an important historical stage left behind in Kyoto by Tokugawa Ieyasu. Once inside, the main attraction is Ninomaru Palace, a National Treasure that has been preserved to this day. Its magnificent architecture and gardens are filled with traces of history from the Edo period.

The weather was very nice that day. The blue sky, sunshine, and lush green gardens, combined with the old castle walls and buildings, made the entire scene especially beautiful. Taking my time to walk around and look at everything without rushing made it easier to appreciate the charm of Nijo-jo Castle.
Admission: JPY 1,300. If you like Japanese history and historic architecture, Nijo-jo Castle is definitely worth adding to your Kyoto itinerary. Rather than just rushing through to take photos and check it off your list, I recommend setting aside some time to walk around and take in the historic atmosphere of this old castle.

Centered around the Kyoto Imperial Palace, this was where generations of emperors lived for more than 500 years. Today, it is a vast park in central Kyoto filled with a sense of history.

What I liked most when I first entered Kyoto Gyoen was how open and peaceful it felt. Walking among the tall trees, wide stretches of greenery, and old imperial buildings naturally made me slow down. The weather was so nice on the day I visited, with blue skies, white clouds, and greenery everywhere. The whole park looked especially beautiful and relaxing!

I didn't plan any particular itinerary and just took my time walking around and looking at everything. That actually made it easier to experience Kyoto's more leisurely side. Besides Kyoto's busy attractions, I also recommend setting aside some time to stroll through Kyoto Gyoen and experience Kyoto's history and tranquility.

Kyoto Tower looks especially refreshing during the day against the bright blue sky and white clouds. Its white tower and distinctive observation deck make it easy to recognize from a distance. Around Kyoto Station, you can appreciate the unique atmosphere created by the tower blending into the Kyoto cityscape. During the day, it has a sleek, fresh appearance;
at night, once the lights come on, it transforms into another captivating view. The same Kyoto Tower has a different kind of beauty by day and by night.

One of Kyoto's attractions, it's great for taking photos and enjoying the city views during the day, while at night you can enjoy the romantic atmosphere after the tower lights up.

If there’s one place in Kyoto where you don’t need to rush to do anything, I would choose Sanzen-in Temple. As you enter the mountain forests of Ohara, there is none of the city’s noise and bustle—only an ancient temple, moss, stone steps, and greenery everywhere you look. Sunlight filters through the treetops and falls across the garden, and even the air seems to grow quiet.

My favorite part is the moss garden. Lush green moss covers the ground alongside the old wooden buildings, creating a sense of gentleness and tranquility left behind by the passage of time. Although it takes some time to get here from central Kyoto, that very distance gives Sanzen-in an added beauty far removed from the noise of the world.

When visiting Kyoto, besides Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha, there's also an incredibly impressive ancient temple hidden in the city center—Higashi Honganji Temple.

Located near Kyoto Station, it's within walking distance and very convenient to reach. When I first saw it, what struck me most was the enormous and solemn wooden building before me. Its magnificent roof, intricate layers of wooden framework, and delicate decorations really make you stop and look up for a long time.

Higashi Honganji is the head temple of the Shinshu Otani-ha school of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and one of Kyoto's important Buddhist temples. The temple isn't only massive in scale. Once inside, you can also feel a quiet and composed atmosphere.

I especially like how it feels like a place that's worth stopping by even without making special plans.
Walking over from Kyoto Station, the bustle of the city is still behind you, but once you enter the temple grounds, the view suddenly becomes open and peaceful.

Magnificent wooden architecture × Kyoto's history × a peaceful temple atmosphere. If you happen to be near Kyoto Station, consider setting aside some time for Higashi Honganji Temple and experiencing another side of Kyoto's solemn and serene beauty.

After leaving the ticket gates at Keihan Uji Station, the first thing that comes into view is Uji's most iconic landmark—Uji Bridge. Spanning the Uji River, Uji Bridge is considered one of Japan's three ancient bridges, along with Seta no Karahashi Bridge and Yamazaki Bridge. The current bridge was rebuilt in 1996, retaining a traditional style with cypress railings and bronze decorations. Walking across it, the historic atmosphere blends with the river scenery, really giving you the feeling that you've arrived in Uji!

Near the center of the bridge, slightly toward the west side, a small section projects upstream. Known as San-no-ma, it is said to be the former site of a shrine dedicated to Hashihime, the guardian deity of Uji Bridge, adding a mythical quality to the bridge. Standing on the bridge and watching the Uji River flow gently by, with greenery along both banks and mountains in the distance, it's no wonder Uji always has such a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

Founded in 1202, Kenninji is one of Kyoto's oldest Zen temples. Although it is near the lively Gion district and Hanamikoji Street, it is unexpectedly peaceful. It feels like Gion draws everyone's attention, making Kenninji a very pleasant hidden attraction.

Admission is JPY 800, and you need to remove your shoes before entering. The temple houses treasured works such as the Wind and Thunder Gods folding screens, and the gardens are filled with Zen touches throughout. It's a great place to sit and take your time appreciating the scenery while enjoying the quiet Japanese atmosphere.

I especially recommend walking all the way to the main hall. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by the subtle scent of wood. When you look up and see the spectacular ceiling painting, you can't help but stop in your tracks. It's truly breathtaking.

Besides temples and historic sites, Kyoto also has a large park that's perfect for families! Taiyogaoka is located in the hills of Uji. The grounds are very spacious, with shady trees and peaceful surroundings, making it especially pleasant to walk around. The park has all kinds of play equipment where children can run, jump, try different activities, and enjoy plenty of adventure. In summer, there's also a family pool where you can splash around and cool off. It's a great place to spend anywhere from half a day to a full day. If you enjoy nature and outdoor activities, it's well worth a visit!

When visiting Kyoto, I think staying near Kyoto Station is really convenient! The Kyoto Station Building itself has shopping, food, souvenirs, and places to relax, and there are also many department stores, shopping centers, and restaurants nearby, making it easy to shop or grab something to eat.

If it’s your first time in Kyoto, staying near the station is also a great choice. There are plenty of hotels in the area, and transportation is very convenient. You can easily reach Kyoto’s major attractions by JR, subway, or bus.

After a long day of sightseeing, you can return to the station, have dinner, and do some shopping before heading back to your hotel. It really saves time and effort. For independent travelers, the area around Kyoto Station is a great choice where it’s “convenient to stay, fun to explore, and easy to get anywhere!”

Zuishinin Temple has deep ties to the famous Heian-period poet Ono no Komachi and is also a well-known spot for viewing plum blossoms in Kyoto. I visited in the summer this time, so there were no plum blossoms to enjoy, but I unexpectedly discovered a different kind of peaceful beauty. The weather was excellent that day, and the blue sky and greenery made a beautiful backdrop for the historic temple. It looked good from every angle.

What I liked most was how few visitors there were. The entire place was quiet and relaxing, without the noisy crowds found at Kyoto's popular attractions, giving it an extra sense of peaceful Zen. It's an easy walk from Ono Station on the Kyoto subway and is perfect for a leisurely little trip. If you like quiet, traditional temples, I'd actually recommend taking a walk here rather than visiting the popular attractions.