Kyoto's oldest shrine lapped in woods
Officially known as Kamo-omiya Shrine. One of the Kyoto's oldest shrines, situated north of the primeval forest called Tadasu no Mori forest. The Aoi Matsuri is held every year on May 15 and parades showing scroll paintings from the Heian dynasty as well as glamorous costumes march from the Goden building in Shimogamo Shrine to Kamigamo Shrine. Mitarashie is an annual event held in July where people soak their feet in the Mitarashi River since it is believed that it prevents people from loosing weight in summer and catching disease.

●Fare/ Free　●Tel/ 075-781-0010

◆Access/ An 8 min. walk from Keihan Demachi-yanagi Stn./JR Kyoto Stn. →City bus to Shimogamo Jinja-mae

A serene and calm temple
Officially known as Jishoji temple. Built in 1482. The Dojinsai tearoom in Togudo is the oldest existing Shoin-zukuri style building. Furthermore, there are two heaped up mounds of sand called Ginsadan and Kogetsudai in the garden where white sand is arranged like gentle waves. The garden is designed to reflect the moonlight from behind Mt. Tsukimachi in order to appreciate its beauty.

●Open/ 8:30-17:00 (9:00-16:30 in Dec.-Feb.)　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ ￥500 (with the exception of Togudo which is ￥1,000, application by postcard is required)
●Tel/ 075-771-5725

◆Access/ A 7 min. walk from Ginkakuji-michi bus stop by city bus from JR Kyoto Stn.

The shrine pavilions that set off against the sky of Kyoto
The Otenmon Gate and Taikyokuden, which were located in Dai-Dairi in Heiankyo, and have been reconstructed to five-eighths of the original size. Shinen, an extensive Japanese garden behind Honden, extends to 30,000 sqm. Spring is the best season to visit in order to appreciate cherry blossoms of trees beginning to loose their branches. Jidai Matsuri (Festival of the Ages) is held annually on Oct. 22nd to depict Japan's history and culture.

●Open/ Shinen 8:30-17:30 (vary according to the season)
●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Free (with the exception of Shinen which is ￥600)　●Tel/ 075-761-0221

◆Access/ A 10 min. walk from Subway Higashiyama Stn. or a short walk from Kyotokaikan Bijutsukan-mae bus stop by city bus from JR Kyoto Stn.

The head temple of the Jodo sect where Japan's greatest three gates awaits you
This huge temple is located on the north of Maruyama Park. Priest Honen founded the temple in 1175. Interesting properties are the Main Hall, which has a capacity of 3,000, Sanmon, the largest main gate in Japan, the temple bell and a lot of other structures.

●Open/ 9:00-16:30 (Last entry at 16:00)　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ Free (with the exception of Hojo Garden which is ￥400.)　●Tel/ 075-531-2111

◆Access/ A short walk from Subway Higashiyama Stn. or Chion-in-mae bus stop by city bus from JR Kyoto Stn.

The shrine of Gion Festival, one of Japan's 3 greatest festivals
The shrine is believed to have been built on the site 794 years before the capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto. One of Japan's 3 greatest festivals the Gion Festival began to offer prayers to the God of Yasaka Shrine during the outbreak of plague in 869. The Gion Festival is held throughout July each year in Yasaka Shrine, but the highlight of the festival is the Yamahoko procession on the 17th, known as the "moving museum."

●Tel/ 075-561-6155

◆Access/ A 5 min. walk from Keihan Shijo Stn., 10 min walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Stn., and 2 min walk from Gion municipal bus stop from JR Kyoto Stn.

Command the view of Kyoto City from Stage of Kiyomizu
The Main Hall (a national treasure) is famous for its Kiyomizu-no-butai (stage of Kiyomizu). This architecture with the huge stage follows the elegant Shinden-zukuri style and was built over a cliff supported by 139 pillars. Most of the remaining buildings were rebuilt in 1633. Water from Otowa-no-taki Fall, which is the origin of the temple's name, is said to be miraculous water which cures all illnesses. The area provides a spectacular view of Kyoto, including the cherry blossoms in spring and colored leaves in autumn.

●Open/ 6:00-18:00 (-18:30 in summer)　●Close/ Open all-year round
●Fare/ ￥300 (Jishu Shrine is also available)　●Tel/ 075-551-1234

◆Access/ A 10 min. walk from Kiyomizu-michi bus stop by city bus from JR Kyoto Stn.