Places to Explore

• Arashiyama

  Beyond the city is the semirural hillside area of Arashiyama, which lies along and above the banks of the Oi-gawa (the local name for the Katsura-gawa as it courses through this area). The pleasure of Arashiyama... (more)

• Central and Southern Kyoto

  The two major sights in central Kyoto are the opulent Nijo Castle and the more modest Imperial Palace. The latter requires permission, and you must join a guided tour. Central Kyoto is a big shopping destination:... (more)

• Eastern Kyoto

  East of the Kamogawa River, in the neighborhoods known as Higashiyama (literally, Eastern Mountain) and Okazaki, are some of Kyoto's most dazzling shrines and temples, stretching from solemn Sanjusangen-do... (more)

• Northern Kyoto

  The mountain Hiei-zan and the Ohara region are the focal points in the northern suburbs of Kyoto. For several centuries Ohara was a sleepy Kyoto backwater surrounded by mountains. Although it's now catching... (more)

• Western Kyoto

  Western Kyoto's most iconic sights are the eye-popping golden temple at Kinkaku-ji and the rock garden at Ryoan-ji, but the city's western precincts are filled with remarkable religious architecture. The... (more)