Tourist Attractions & Monuments Kansai

Founded in 947 in memory of Michizane no Sugawara, a historian and poet who became famous for his knowledge of Chinese classics. He served as a minister before being exiled to Kyūshū. After his death, the unfortunate events that occurred at court were attributed to his revenge. To appease his spirit, he was elevated to the dignity of Great of Literature. The sanctuary is known for its plum trees and... to be the place of pilgrimage for students on the eve of exams. Note: a large flea market is held on the 25th of each month.

The area around Katsura was for several generations, from the Heian period, the property of the Fujiwara family. During the Kamakura period, this area became the domain of the Konoe. In 1600, in the months before the famous Tokugawa victory at Sekigahara, the daimyō Yūsai Hosokawa, was under siege by anti-Tokugawa forces. The castle was about to fall when Emperor Go-Yōzei intervened and granted a truce, saving Yūsai and allowing him to continue teaching the tradition to his younger brother, known in history as Hachijō-no-miya Toshihito (1579-1629). Katsura is now considered the pinnacle of Japanese aesthetics. The Bauhaus alumni, the Corbus (followers of Le Corbusier) all have their little couplet and rightly marvel at the beauty of this palace. Since the 1930s, international architects have found in it the confirmation of many modern principles, such as the relationship between exterior and interior, simplicity and elegance of form and function. When you come from the bus stop, you turn left to go along the river for about 500 meters and then turn left again. After 200 meters, on the left, a formidable bamboo wall begins, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful to be seen in Japan. The perfect regularity of the bamboo and the system of links reveal the simplicity and efficiency of the structure.

Also known as Kokedera, this garden was founded in 731 by the monk Gyōki (670-749) on the site of a residence of Prince Shōtoku. It was later rebuilt by Soseki Musō, a great master of moss gardens. He designed this superb one, which is the main attraction of the place. The carpet effect is enhanced by more than one hundred species, colors and textures of moss. The garden is divided into two distinct levels: one wet and one dry. The place is sublime but the procedure to access it must be done in advance.

This exceptionally rich museum presents its collections in rotating exhibitions. When it was established in 1875, it was called the Imperial Museum and was housed in a brick building. All the works came from the temples and shrines in the Kansai region. The museum was transferred to the city in 1924 by the imperial family and nationalized in 1965. It contains a very large collection of paintings which traces the evolution of Japanese culture, but also many sculptures and archaeological pieces from the Heian period.

If the Golden and Silver Pavilions are among the most visited and known monuments in Japan, the Ryōan-ji (Temple of the Peaceful Dragon) is probably the most admired Zen garden. It is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monastery Ryōan was founded in 1450 by Katsumoto (1430-1473). The temple was burned during the Onin Civil War and rebuilt by Masamoto Hosokawa, son of Katsumoto, from 1488 to 1499. It is assumed that it was between this date and 1507, the date of Masamoto's death, that Sōami (1455-1525) designed the garden in the kare-sansui (dried mountain water) style. This garden is now considered one of the masterpieces of the Japanese Zen period.

The garden. With a surface area of 200^m2

, it is a rectangular garden enclosed by a wall on three sides, the last being open to a corridor. The entire surface area of the garden is an ocean of gravel on which fifteen rocks of different sizes are arranged and placed in such a way that, whatever your position in the corridor, you may only see fourteen of them. This ocean of gravel is carefully raked every day by the monk in charge of the temple. Behind the wall, tombs are lined up, including those of Emperor Go Shujaku (1009-1045).

The lake Oshidōri. In the center of the temple, there is a large lake in the middle of which a small island can be seen. It is a bucolic scenery that leads to contemplation. A walk around the lake in the lush nature is a real treat.

It is one of the most beautiful and impressive aquariums in Japan, and probably in the world. It is home to hundreds of species, thousands of fish but also sharks, rays and other invertebrates, such as multicolored anemones and phosphorescent jellyfish. The visit of this magical place is highly recommended for families. More than 15 large aquariums specifically illustrate the different regions of the Pacific coast.

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful temples in Nara, Kōfuku-ji has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1998. It was the headquarters of the Hossō sect, which professes that all phenomena are projections of the spirit. Tutelary temple of the Fujiwara, a dynasty founded in 669 in Yamashina by Kamatari Fujiwara (614-669), patriarch of the Fujiwara dynasty that ruled Japan until the 12th century. The son, Fuhitōfujiwara, with the support of the empress Genshō (681-748) and the emperor Shōmu (689-756), had the temple dismantled and moved to Nara in 710. It was, at the time, one of the first religious establishments in the new capital. It belonged to what was called the Nanto Shichi Daiji, that is to say the "seven great temples", which included the following Buddhist temples spread in the ancient city of Nara: Daian-ji, Gango-ji, Horyu-ji, Kofuku-ji, Saidai-ji, Todai-ji and Yakushi-ji. Many of them are still visible today and reveal the splendor of the capital. Originally, the temple consisted of 175 buildings. Its present appearance is what remained of the original temple after the fire of 1717. When you visit this huge complex, you can see the following buildings:

The mainGolden Pavilion burned seven times. It was only recently rebuilt to its original proportions, and reopened in October 2018. It houses, among other things, Boddisattva statues from the Kamakura period, and the Hossō pillar with portraits of all the patriarchs of the sect.

Hokuendō. Small octagonal hall, built in memory of Fuhitōfujiwara in 1143 and restored in 1208.

Sanjū-no-tō. A famous 3-story pagoda, symbolic of Nara, it houses beautifully painted Buddhas.

Tō-kon-dō (Eastern Golden Pavilion). Dedicated to Empress Genshō and built in 726, it was restored in 1415 for the last time.

Other buildings: On the other side, the Western Golden Pavilion, the Sai-Kon-dō.

Opposite the Gojūnotō Pagoda is the Nan En-dō, another octagonal building founded in 843 by Fuyutsugu Fujiwara and which was restored in 1741. Of note is a statue of Kannon executed by Kokei in 1189. As for the pagoda, it is five stories high. It is one of the highest in the country.

Kokuho-kan. National Treasures Museum, it is the most recent building of the site which was built in 1959 to house and protect the wonders of Nara temples.

Sarusawa Pond reflects the five-story pagoda on full moon nights.

This information center in the station is a gold mine of information about the city and Kansai. Excellent maps of the city, well-done walking routes, detailed bus routes are available. For an accurate schedule of cultural events, ask for a copy of the Kyōto Visitor's Guide (free), or buy the Kansai Time Out.If the TIC is closed,inquire at the Kyoto City Tourist Information Office (✆ +81-75-343-0548. Open 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.).

Since 2006, Kyoto can boast of having a unique museum in the world dedicated to manga, the Japanese comic book par excellence. Located in a former elementary school, it traces the little-known history of manga and houses a huge collection that should delight fans and even new readers. We also like the sessions organized for the youngest around the creation of mangas, and the shows of "kami-shibai", the old-fashioned picture theater.

Den Den Town is often compared to the Akihabara district in Tokyo. It is indeed the otaku district of Ōsaka. Strolling through the streets, one can find shops with shelves packed to the brim with manga and anime figurines, endless shelves of video games, shops specialising in electronics or cosplay, but also maid cafes, for a 100% Japanese, modern, electric and delirious experience. Originally, the neighborhood was called denki no machi, the electronic village. Its nickname has now become the most popular.

This museum is specialized in the history and art of Buddhism. The first building dates from 1889. It was built in a western neoclassical style. The new contemporary part has many sculptural, pictorial and calligraphic works. In the first building, archaeological collections are largely on display. Of particular note are sarcophagi from the Kofun period (3rd to 8th centuries) and unglazed terracotta figurines (haniwa) assembled using the wasumi technique that adorned burial sites and sacred places. The most recent building was designed by architect Junzō Yoshimura in a contemporary style borrowing elements of traditional Japanese architecture. In the east and west wings, statues from the Heian period (794-1192), including those of Gien and Sonja Binzuru, can be seen. Also on display are numerous statues of Kannon Jūichimen (Kannon with 11 faces), Kannon Senju (Kannon with a thousand hands), Shaka Nyorai, Daichi Nyorai and Amida Nyorai. The reclining statue of Buddha, Kannon Batō, is a sight to behold. Batō means: horse's head. This effigy was believed to protect horses from diseases. For this reason, this statue is often found in the vicinity of racetracks. A wooden statue from the Muromachi period represents the Shaka Bosatsu. Temporary events regularly highlight the treasures of Tōdai-ji. Note that explanations and audio guides in English help to situate the works on display.

Adjacent to the Kamo River, dozens of bars and restaurants light up here every night. The old geisha houses with their verandas overlooking the river, the yukas, give all its attraction to this district, named Pontocho in the 16th century after the Portuguese word "ponto", the bridge. The maze of small streets and the slightly illicit perfume of the bistros or the tiny buildings do not lack charm. During the day, we go there for the pretty stores nestled in the surroundings. A visit not to be missed in Kyoto.

Designed by Mamoru Yamada, and built in 1964 for the Tokyo Olympic Games, this 131 meters tower which rises in the sky of Kyoto is the highest building of the city. It owes its cylindrical shape to steel sheets welded together. It offers an incredible view of Kyoto, between temples and concrete. Apart from the observatory, it is also a place of leisure and shopping. The basement is full of stores selling specialties. Workshops are offered on the^2nd floor, to learn how to make sushi, for example.

The Naramachi district developed from the 15th century around the temple Gangō-ji. One can still see the machiya, these wooden merchants' houses, whose particularity is, as in Kyoto, to have a narrow façade and a long interior. Some of Nara's alleyways preserve the period architecture and atmosphere of these houses whose ground floor was often a shop. Today, some of them are open to the public, but there are also nice souvenir shops, good small restaurants and inns in these alleys.

The museum, which dates back to 1933, closed between 2015 and 2021 for renovation. The architects, Jun Aoki and Tezzo Nishizawa, succeeded in preserving the historic building while enlarging and modernizing it. The main exhibits are by Kyoto artists, both past and present, painters, photographers and sculptors. The collection of paintings from the Meiji and Showa periods is particularly remarkable, and takes us back to the Kyoto of the late ^19th and ^20th centuries. The visit should be combined with that of the nearby Heian Jingu.

About 15 minutes walk from the station, the giant bamboo forest is one of the most famous images in Japan. Appearing in advertisements, movies, and wallpapers, the tall bamboos form an arch that protects from the sun along a path of about 500 meters. It's a nice walk to do. Unfortunately, the place is a victim of its success. Hordes of tourists who have come for the serenity of the place disturb its calm. Nevertheless, the freshness of the wind in the stems is worth the detour, without forgetting the villa Okochi Sanso.

It is one of the largest narcissus gardens in Japan, with more than 4 million flowers on 7 hectares. The subtle scent of the flowers is intoxicating and the landscape is magnificent. It is located between two seas: the inland sea of Japan, with on the left the coast of Wakayama, on the right the island of Nushima and in the center Shikoku and the sea of narcissus with white and green waves. The local legend tells that 180 years ago, a fisherman found a narcissus bulb on the seashore and decided to plant it. Very quickly, the flowers spread all over the hill at the foot of Yuzuruha Mountain. One hundred years later, a resident of Awaji Island picked some flowers and went to sell them at Ōsaka where he got a very good price. Understanding the value of these flowers, the islanders decided to get together to preserve them. Today, the narcissus garden is maintained by a team of gardeners throughout the year. It is a real challenge because, with its 45° slope, the hill is slippery and the gardeners have to work while avoiding damaging the flowers. At the exit of the park there is a shop where you can buy narcissus bulbs and a restaurant offering a delicious fresh clementine juice. The park is easier to reach by car, but shuttle buses connect it to Fukura (Nanairokan-mae stop) during the flowering period (¥900 one way for an adult, ¥2300 return combined with entrance).

Opened from mid-November to the end of March, this ski resort uses artificial snow to allow the small and large to come down the runway. Skiing as well as snowboarding. Rental of equipment on site.

These "five basalt caves" were formed by volcanic activity more than 1.6 million years ago. The flow of magma gave rise to astonishing and highly artistic geometric shapes. A spectacle that was designated as a "national natural monument" in 1931. In 1925, during the earthquake, many stones were detached. They were used to rebuild the low walls on the river bank in the centre of Kinosaki and some house walls. The park changes its face according to the seasons.

In summer, from July to late August, it is a very pleasant stopover to bathe in the clear waters of the sea of Japan. Canoeing is also possible to discover the San 'in Kaigan coast which received the geoparc label in 2008 (protected area supported by UNESCO with strong geological attractions).

The Kinosaki cable car takes 7 minutes to reach the top of Mount Daichi, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the area. It is even possible to see the Sea of Japan. It is possible to walk to Onsenji temple in 15 minutes by a staircase of 500 steps or by the cable car. To go to the top from the temple, the way is steeper, count 40 minutes. One of the main attractions of the city.

This was the site of the Grand World Exposition of Ōsaka in 1970. It is now housed in a park of attractions and is a place for the inhabitants of the new town of Senri, built on the slopes of the hills. It is a little too far away from the city centre. It is therefore better to visit Nakazakicho!

Also known as "Awata Palace", this Buddhist temple was built at the end of the 13th century. It is recognizable among a thousand thanks to its camphor trees (the oldest of which is nearly 800 years old!). From the beginning, it was the residence of the imperial abbot of the headquarters of the Tendai sect. Although the current building dates from 1895, paintings from the Kanō and Tosa schools from the 16th and 17th centuries can still be seen there. The main interest of this temple lies in the beautiful gardens designed by Sōami and Enshū Kobori.

The Yakushi-ji was founded in 690 in Fujiwara-kyō, and dedicated to the Healing Buddha to cure the emperor's illness Jitō. Later transferred to Nara at Nishinokyō in 718, it represents one of the best artistic examples of the period Hakuhō. As such, it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the heart of the temple, which takes the form of a main building and two symmetrical pagodas, several treasures can be seen.

The main pavilion

(Kon-dō). It contains a bronze trinity representing the Yakushi Nyorai (Healing Buddha) and his attendants Nikkō and Gakkō. The latter are admirable sculptures.

The Eastern Pagoda

(Tō-tō). 35 m high, it was built in 730 in the style of wa-yō. It has only three floors, but the mokoshi in between seem to give it double that.

The Zen pavilion

(dō-dō). Dating from 1285, it exposes the statue of Kadura Kannon and other statues of guardians dating from the Muromachi period. It is the oldest zen pavilion in Japan.

Bussoku-dō. Behind the pagoda, a room preserves a stone in which the Buddha's imprint (753) is engraved. It also has a stone writing desk where one can read a Chinese text readable only in phonetic symbols called man'yō-gana, i.e. used to superimpose Japanese readings on Chinese concepts or images. They are at the origin of today's Hiragana and are called man'yō-gana in reference to the collection of poems, the man'yō shū.

Temple built in 745 by the Empress Kōmyō. It became an important monastery that would control all the female monasteries of the province. Today, the only original building still standing is the three-storey pagoda, 24 m high, the oldest of its kind in Japan. The shrine has a statue of Kannon with eleven heads, each of which is said to bear a resemblance to the empress. It can only be seen from April 20 to May 7 and October 25 to November 8. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

We find in this temple a palace built for the emperor Kōkō (830-887) and completed for his son. The cloistered rule was established by Go-Sanjō to counterbalance the influence of the Fujiwara clan who had made his duties hereditary. The retired emperor ruled in place of the reigning emperor from a monastery. The abbots who succeeded each other here were almost all descendants of the imperial family. Sculpted symbols, still visible on the walls of the temple, attest to his imperial affiliation. To be seen during the flowering of the cherry trees.

A pretty little shrine where Japanese women go in great numbers, because it is known for love and birth vows on the one hand, and for the "power spot", a place that confers spiritual energy, on the other hand. The princesses of Ise, named priestesses, came here to perform purification rites. A famous nō play is inspired by a part of the Tale of Genji where the action takes place at Nonomiya Jinja. The place is not a must-see, but does not lack charm. If you pass by, take a look at the amulets.

This residence located about ten kilometres northeast of the heart of Kyoto was built by order of Iemitsu Tokugawa for the retired Emperor Go-Mizuno in 1650 and completed by his daughter in 1680. It is built against the mountain and is divided into three terraces called the three tea pavilions on an area of 28 ha. The emperor undertook the construction of the 1st and 3rd terraces while his daughter had the intermediate terrace built, which became a monastery.

In particular, we can see the fighting of buffalo.

This onsen is mixed, but it's wearing a bathing suit. Getting there is a bit complicated. Take a bus from the port (Sueyoshi bus), change to Kashitate Onsen Mae, then go through another bus to Nakata-Shōten Mae. Finally, walk for 20 minutes to the ocean. The second, the Sueyoshi Onsen Miharashi-noyu is open from until and closed on Tuesday. Entry: 500 yen. It offers a beautiful view of the Pacific. Take the bus from the port to the Sueyoshi stop.

Temple of the Rinzai sect, it is one of the five great temples of the city. It was founded in 1226 by Enni. The name of Tōfuku-ji takes the name of two famous temples of Nara, the Tōdai-ji and the Kōfuku-ji. Many times destroyed by the vagaries of war and climate, it was entirely rebuilt in 1347 and it is in this form that it is presented today. The current complex of Tōfuku-ji currently has 24 buildings. We note the magnificent stone and sand garden designed by one of the most famous Buddhist monks of his time: Sesshu.

Located in Ikaruga, about ten kilometers from Nara, and founded in 607 by Prince Shōtoku Taishi, this temple has the oldest wooden structure in the world and claims with strength and determination to be the national masterpiece of Asuka culture. It remains the oldest temple in Japan. To show his gratitude to Buddha for the healing of his father, the Emperor Yōmei (540-587), the prince Shōtoku had the temple built next to the Ikaruga no Miya Palace which he had built in 601. The Hōryū-ji consists of about 40 buildings divided into two areas: the western part, or Sai-in, and the eastern part, or Tōin. There is also a northern part, Kitamuro-in. The treasure is located between the eastern and western parts. It became the first Japanese site to be inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in December 1993 as an exceptional home to the richness of Buddhist culture. More than 15 major events take place every year. Remember to check the programme on the Internet.

Saiin. The western part (saiin) contains the main buildings of the Asuka period (7th and 8th centuries): Chūmon, Kondō and the five-storey pagoda Gojū-no-tō.

Chūmon. The middle gate is topped by a single storey and opens onto the courtyard which contains the other buildings. The two guardian kings Nio, dating from 711, face each other. They are the two oldest earthen statues in Japan.

Kondō. Golden pavilion. Main building erected on a stone base and consisting of two storeys with a four-sloped roof and two gables, the roof being made of a gabled roof. It features the Four Guardians of the World (shi-Tennō), who are among the oldest wooden statues in the world. It contains the Buddhist statues to which the temple is dedicated.

Gojū-no-tō. Five-storey pagoda, 32.50 metres high. Built according to the laws of perspective, it gives an impression of great stability due to its magnificent proportions, but also of height, enhanced by the subtle narrowing of each floor.

Daikōdō (reading room). To the north of the courtyard, closed by the gallery. The original building burnt down in 925 and a building from Kyōto was transferred to this site in 990. Inside, three statues. That of Yakushi Nyorai (this representation of Buddha called Yakushi) is supposed to cure all suffering and diseases.

Tothe west of Daikōdō, the Kyōzō dating from the 8th century and to the east, the belfry (Shōrō) from the 9th century. Back to the west, the Saiendō, built in memory of the wife of the prince Shōtoku, Princess Tachibana. A statue of Yakushi dating from the 8th century can be seen there.

Shōryōin (temple of the soul of Shōtoku). Located east of the court, this building was built in 1121 in memory of the prince Shōtoku and houses several statues of the prince, his sons and the monk Eji.

Daihōzōin (Great Treasure Room). Contemporary double concrete construction dating from 1941. The works of the temple as well as pieces from kūfu (the treasure shop) are exhibited there (the others can be found in the National Museum at Tōkyō).

Tōin. The central part is occupied by the Yumedono (Dreams Pavilion). This octagonal religious building is said to be the oldest in Japan. It dates from the Nara period (8th century). It is in this building that the prince Shōtoku Taishi received in his dreams the answer to his philosophical questions.

Located west of Kyoto and easily accessible, Iwatayama is a hill on which hundreds of monkeys have taken up residence. No need to be a great sportsman to reach the top, a marked trail takes you there in 20 minutes. Already during this short walk, you will meet monkeys (which we advise not to look in the eyes so as not to provoke them!). The little ones will be delighted to be able to give the monkeys some peanuts while watching them play.

Okochi Denjiro (1898-1962) was a very popular Japanese actor. His private home and the garden surrounding it are now open to the public. The villa was built in the purest Japanese style. On 2 ha there is the house, a shintō sanctuary, a tea house and a beautiful path that winds through the garden. The garden has been designed to highlight the four seasons, and is indeed beautiful to see in all weathers. The entrance is slightly expensive, but a Japanese pastry and a cup of green tea are included.

As in many cities around the world, free rides are gaining popularity in Kyoto. Kyoto free walking tours offers two tours, one in Gion and Higashiyama, and the other in Fushimi Inari on the outskirts of the city. The atmosphere is relaxed, warm, and one learns many anecdotes about Kyoto's history, culture, and life. It really is a simple and rewarding way to discover the city, and it's completely free. Please note, however, that you need at least one person registered for the visit on Facebook for it to take place.

Fushimi is famous for its many sake breweries. You can go there by foot or take a boat trip to discover them. The jukkokubune is a boat with a roof, which travels on a river passage very frequented in Edo period. The Fushimi port was used to connect Osaka and Kyoto by water. The visit allows to relive this history punctuated by colorful events such as the assassination attempt of Sakamoto Ryoma (1836-1867)

Located between the Yasaka Shrine in the east and the Kamo River in the west, the streets of Gion are undoubtedly the most emblematic of the city. The district took its rise in the Edo period. The wooden machiya give it its historical atmosphere. These long buildings which used to belong to merchants have a 5 or 6 meter frontage, but the interior extends in depth for about 20 meters. Originally, this was due to the fact that the tax was calculated according to the width of the facade. Gion of course evokes the geishas, who can be seen at dusk when they go to a rendezvous. These alleys are nowadays lined with rather luxurious restaurants and hotels where one comes to taste the kaiseki cuisine.

Hanami-koji. The main alley of Gion, which leads from Shijō street to Kennin-ji temple. Wide and busy, it is lined with chic restaurants, but also with galleries, kimono stores or other traditional objects such as ceramics.

Shirakawa canal.

Street parallel to the Shijō along the Shirakawa canal. One side of the canal is planted with willows, and on the other side, there are tea houses (ochaya) and restaurants. The street is very picturesque and less crowded than Hanami-Kōji. It is an ideal place for a nice walk and a break in a teahouse.

Kennin-ji. At the end of Hanami-koji, is the oldest Buddhist temple in Kyoto. It is an impressive complex composed of several pavilions, Zen gardens and even a teahouse.

To discover Kyoto, there is nothing better than walking. And why not do it in a group during a tour led by professional guides who have been active for about thirty years. This will allow you to discover another Kyoto, more lively, more traditional too, between shrines, geisha quarters and handicraft workshops. These guided tours can last a day and can go from 100 minutes to 7 hours! The choice of themes is wide and touches on history as well as culture and gastronomy.

This elegant garden covers an area of 11,000^m2. The first part dates from the Edo period, and was designed for a wealthy merchant. The back of the garden invites you to walk through various landscapes, and offers a magnificent view of the southern gate of Tōdai-ji and the Wakakusa and Kasuga mountains in the background. Between the front and back of the garden, a teahouse and restaurant offers traditional small dishes and sweets. The Neiraku museum, located in the garden, exhibits Chinese bronze objects or Korean Yi dynasty ceramics.

This temple was founded in 963 by the itinerant monk Kūya Shōnin (903-972). As it was located at the western end of a cemetery, the bodies of poor people who died without a grave were taken care of there. It is of obvious architectural and sculptural interest. The temple was rebuilt several times, including in 1363, when the main hall, one of the oldest buildings in Kyoto, was built. The temple flourished in the 12th century, when the Taira clan had established its headquarters in the vicinity.

Temple built in 788, it was then moved and rebuilt in its current location in 1656, under the supervision of Prince Yoshihisa, brother of Toshihito Hachijō, architect of the imperial city Katsura. A similar architectural style can be seen there. Two buildings are located there, the Daisho-in, in which one can see a sculpture of Amida, and the Kojo-in, a priori forbidden to the public. The tea house seems to have been built by Enshū Kobori (1579-1647) because its style resembles that of Katsura. Visit to be coupled with that of Shugaku-in Rikyu.

Temple founded by Emperor Saga in 841 and famous for being the place where Teika Fujiwara (1161-1240) prepared the anthology Hyakunin Isshu or Simple Poems by 100 poets. It takes its name from the two statues of Amida and Shaka that it houses. Shaka illuminates men in this world while Amida illuminates them in the other world. This temple has always been known for the beauty of the maple trees in autumn in its park and in the surrounding mountain (Kogura-yama), so much so that it has been nicknamed "the racecourse of autumn leaves".

Temple of the Shingon sect founded in 874 by Shōbō (Daishi Rigen), which spans all of Mount Daigo. The construction was directed by Emperor Daigo, who includes a special hall for the worship of the Yakushi. The Yakushi-dō is the oldest of the Daigo-ji complex. It is famous for its kaerumata, frog-shaped architectural pieces that both separate and join two beams. In 952, the empress Onshi built a five-story pagoda which houses several mandalas and is considered to be one of the oldest in Japan.

The temple was destroyed during the Onin civil war and rebuilt in the 16th century by Hideyoshi Toyotomi (1536-1598). It is classified since 1994 as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Sanbo-in. Related temple established in 115 by Shokaku, then archbishop of Daigo-ji. However, the actual building dates back to 1598, it was built on the occasion of a festival to contemplate cherry blossoms, organized by Hideyoshi Toyotomi. He designed the garden which is famous for its beauty and is a national historic site. The Karamon, the Chinese gate, lacquered in black and decorated with chrysanthemums and paulownias, was only open to the emperor's messengers. Sanbo-in is architecturally typical of the Momoyama period (1568-1600), during which a lavish aesthetic appeared, which contrasted with the sobriety of the Muromachi period. The daimyos showed their power through rich decorations and paintings with gold leaf.

General Takauji Ashikaga decided to build this temple on the ruins of Emperor Go-Daigo's residence in 1339 after betraying him and sending him to Mount Yoshino in 1338, a mysterious dream. He left it to his tutor Kokushi Musō (Sōseki) to design the garden. The garden is embellished with a small lake and a succession of seven vertical rocks that oscillate between the representation of Chinese ink painting and Zen aesthetics. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This Buddhist temple was built at the time of Emperor Seiwa (851-880) in homage to the five Myō-ō, masters of the magical sciences. It took the name of Daikakuji-jō during the Namboku-chō period when it became the headquarters of Emperor Go-Kameyama. Later it was administered by the shōgun Ashikaga family who called upon many artists to create the noble Shoin-zukuri style architecture of the Momoyama period (late 16th century). The hondō (main hall) houses a statue of one of the five Myō-ō, Kongo Yasha, carved in 1176 by Myōen.

This center dedicated to traditional Japanese textiles is located in the historic silk craftsmen's district. You can discover the steps and techniques related to the making of kimonos, from the breeding of silkworms to the dyeing. Workshops are organized as well as kimono parades. Some of the exhibition spaces were renovated in 2016 and the place is a wealth of information. You can also get some nice pieces in the adjoining store. The surrounding streets are home to a few family-owned businesses to visit.

The temple, originally called Zenrin-ji, was built in 855 by Shinshō of the Shingon sect. It was in the 11th century that its name changed to Eikan-dō, in honor of the monk Eikan who transformed it into a place of Amidist worship. This place remains famous both for its works of art, and for its beautiful gardens, very popular in autumn. It is built on the side of a mountain. The main hall houses a statue of Amida (Mikaeri no Amida), which means Amida looking back. It is very rare to find statues representing the Buddha in profile.

This museum is dedicated to the photographer Taikichi Irie who devoted his life to taking pictures of the city of Nara. Taken over a period of more than 50 years, they show scenes of daily life, nature or religious rites. Temporary exhibitions of other photographers are also held here. The museum, designed and built by architect Kishō Kurokawa, is made of glass walls, a concrete structure and covered with a traditional temple roof.

Built in 1234 by Genchi, a disciple of the witness Shōnin Hōnen who founded the Buddhist sect Jōdo. The principle of this sect is to ritualize the veneration of Amida Buddha in a single act of faith. The temple is of considerable importance to the Japanese and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been burned several times and was last rebuilt in 1633. The giant bell, the largest in Japan, weighs 75 tons. It takes no less than 17 monks to ring it on New Year's Eve.

This temple founded in 1594 by Hideyoshi Toyotomi for his favorite, Yodogimi, is regularly among the "sinister" selections to visit in Kyoto. In cause: its bloody ceiling, built from beams impregnated with the blood of the servants of the Tokugawa who committed a ritual suicide, seppukku, during the siege of Fujimi Castle. But that's not its only attraction. It features beautiful doors and panels by Rimpa painters such as Sōtatsu Tawaraya. To see: the kirin, emblem of kindness, the pair of lions and white elephants.