Kyoto Attractions

The National Museum was established in 1897, with three departments (history, art and applied arts).

The Mampukuji Temple, the principal temple of the Obaku sect was founded in 1661 by a Chinese priest, Ingen. The Main Hall (Daiyuho-den) is built of Thai teak. In the Lecture Hall (Hatto) which lies beyond it are preserved the 60,000 wooden blocks with which the complete edition of the Obaku Sutras was printed in the 17th C.

The permanent display produces 3-D scenes from the 'Tale of Genji,' until now experienced only in writing or illustrations. Life-size mannequins in period dress with all the adornments, can be seen among period furnishings.

Kawai Memorial Hall displays the works of Kanjiro Kawai, a distinguished potter, with examples of folk art, ceramics and his kiln.

The garden borrows the scenery of the Higashiyama mountains. Such trees as plum trees, cherry trees, wisteria and maples add seasonal colors to the garden. The 17th C garden was laid out by Ishikawa Jozan and Kobori Enshu.

Kinkakuji (or the Golden Pavilion) was built in the 14th century to serve as a retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. The three-storey temple has gold leaf on the the top two stories. There is a lovely garden around the Golden Pavilion.

The Kodaiji Temple was built in 1606 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's widow. The Founder's Hall (Kaisando) is decorated with pictures of the Kano school. The nearby funerary shrine (1606) has fine lacquer work (Tatamakie). The two small pavilions on higher ground came from Fushimi Castle. There is a beautiful landscaped garden laid out by Kobori Enshu.

The original Kyoto Imperial Palace was built in 794 and was replaced several times after destruction by fire. The present building was constructed in 1855. Enthronement of a new emperor and other state ceremonies are still held there. The palace can be visited only on guided tours held by the Imperial Household Agency

Maruyama-koen Park is well known for cherry blossom viewing, especially for the "Shidare Zakura"(drooping cherry tree), illuminated at night. The park is a favorite spot for locals and visitors to escape the bustle of the nearby city.

Mount Hiei (2,782ft/ 848m), northeast of Kyoto, is an hour's bus ride from the city center, and can also be reached by rail (Keifuku-Eizen private line to Yase-yuen). From the Yase-yuen Station a cableway runs up to the summit in two stages. Near the upper station of the cableway, at Shimeigatake, are a viewpoint with a revolving tower (views of Kyoto and Lake Biwa), a natural history museum and a botanic garden.

The Ryoanji Temple stands in the north part of the city. It was founded in 1473 and belongs to the Rinzai sect. It is particularly worth a visit on account of its Zen stone garden, which is renowned far beyond the confines of Kyoto as a place for meditation. The patterning created by the groups of rocks of various sizes is conducive to meditation of every kind. The rocks which are placed on smooth raked expanses of ground could, for instance, be mountains emerging from the clouds, islands in the sea or elements of a picture.

Saihoji Temple is said to have been founded by Priest Gyoki during the Nara Period and restored in 1339 by Zen Mater Muso Kokushi, who was known for his landscape gardening.

Known as the Moss Garden, since it is covered with a thick carpet of 120 species of moss. There are two types of gardens - a dry landscape garden comprising only rocks and sand, and the "circling a pond" style garden with a pond in the shape of the Chinese character of "s".

Sanjusangendo Hall is a Japanese temple featuring 1,001 wooden statues of the thousand-handed Kannon of Mercy. The figures were carved from Japanese cypress in the 12th and 13th centuries. The hall is one of the longest wooden buildings in Japan.

The villa was built in the 1650s for Emperor Go-Mizuno-o by the Tokugawa Shogunate. The grounds are divided into three large garden areas, each with a teahouse.

The Tenryuji Temple is the principal temple of the Tenryuji school of the Rinzai sect, founded in 1339 by Ashikaga Takauji, the first Ashikaga Shogun, in memory of the Emperor Godaigo. The Zen garden behind the priests' lodgings was laid out by Muso-Kokushi, first Abbot of the temple, in the 14th C. The present buildings date from about 1900.

The Tofukuji Temple of the Rinzai sect was founded in 1236. The 13th C gate (Sammon) has sculpture attributed to Jocho (d. 1057), and the ceiling paintings are believed to be by Mincho (1352-1431) and his pupil Kandensu. In the extensive gardens are the Founder's Hall (with a portrait of the founder) and the Main Hall (burned down in 1882, rebuilt 1932). Among the temple's treasures is a picture scroll (39ft/ 11.9m by 26ft/ 7.9m) by Mincho depicting Buddha's entrance into Nirvana (shown only on March 15).

"Togetsu-kyo" literally means the bridge which the moon crosses. The river running above the bride is named the Katsura river and below is the Ooi river. River cruises are available and are a delight, especially during spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

The Yasaka Shrine (or Gion Shrine) is dedicated to the god Susanoo-no-mikoto, his wife Inadahime and their sons. The present buildings, erected in 1654, were modeled on the original architecture. To the south of the main shrine, which is roofed with cedar-wood shingles, stands a stone torii 30ft/ 90m high. Among the art treasures possessed by the shrine are wooden koma-inu figures (lion-like animals) by the well-known sculptor Unkei. The Gion-matsuri, celebrated in July, is one of the great Japanese festivals.