Kyoto, the cultural capital of Japan, is a city you must get to know and discover its Top Tourist Attractions In Kyoto, as this city is abundant in indescribable beauty and immersed in history, being considered one of the largest cities in Japan.
Kyoto is surrounded by beautiful nature, with mountains enveloping the entire city. It has been the capital of various empires in the past, and all the tourist attractions in Kyoto are not without reason, with numerous palaces and temples present in the city. So, do not miss visiting top tourist attractions in kyoto.
An interesting point about Kyoto is that it is the only city that remained unscathed from the war during World War II, and its tourist attractions were not destroyed.
Alongside its beautiful nature, Kyoto showcases a part of its beauty through small wooden houses with paper windows and sliding doors lining narrow streets and ancient alleyways. In the spring season, with cherry blossoms in full bloom, the charm of Kyoto becomes even more enchanting. Therefore, spring can be a wonderful time to travel and visit the famous landmarks of Kyoto.
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The sightseeing spots in Kyoto, Japan, do not only end with imperial palaces and castles. Beautiful ancient buildings and Buddhist temples are also prominent, with over 30 temples and more than 200 shrines in this city. In the following, we will delve into top tourist attractions in Kyoto Japan.
Nijo Castle: Travel to the past
Nijo Castle, which was built in 1603 by the first Shogun, served as the residence for the Shogun when traveling to Kyoto, with the purpose of protecting the city of Kyoto.
After the fall of the Shogunate government in 1867, Nijo Castle was selected as an Imperial Palace and later designated as a historical site open to the public, considered one of top tourist attractions in Kyoto.
Nijo Castle consists of five separate buildings, with its walls fully protected, and unique historical artifacts can be found in various parts of the castle, showcasing remarkable artistry. Among the most captivating sections of this castle are the East Gate, the main entrance, and the inner gates.
Notably, the most important building within the castle is the Ninomaru Palace, with its interconnected structures.
Kyoto Imperial Palace: glorious!
he Kyoto Imperial Palace served as the residence of the imperial family and is home to the expansive Kyoto Imperial Park, considered one of the most beautiful and famous places in Kyoto. Situated in the city center, the Kyoto Imperial Palace features the Sento Palace and several other tourist attractions within its grounds to transform it into one of Top Tourist Attractions In Kyoto.
It is worth mentioning that this palace has been reconstructed due to fires and was originally built in 1855, boasting some of the most beautiful features of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, including gates, buildings, and important rooms such as the State Ceremonial Hall, Imperial Residence, Courtrooms, and the Imperial Library.
Visiting the palace grounds is open to the public, but only special tours are allowed to visit the interior of the palace.
Kyoto National Museum: Where history lies
The Kyoto National Museum, considered one of the top tourist attractions in Kyoto, Japan, was built in 1897 and is situated alongside hundreds of ancient and historical temples.
The Kyoto National Museum is one of the most important museums in Japan and one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Kyoto, showcasing beautiful historical artifacts that depict modern Asian and Japanese art. Furthermore, the museum has undergone reconstruction, adding a section with Japanese architectural design.
This museum houses historical examples of applied arts and exhibitions, being one of the oldest museums in Japan, inaugurated in 1928. It features important works by prominent 20th-century Japanese artist, Taiko Seshu. When visiting the tourist attractions in Kyoto, you can also visit this museum to explore its rich cultural heritage.
Kinkaku-ji Temple: Golden Pavilion
Kinkaku-ji Temple is one of the most popular and captivating tourist attractions in Kyoto, also known as the Golden Pavilion. It was built in the 14th century as a villa for the retirement of the Japanese Emperor.
This stunning pavilion, set amidst nature and reflecting on the waters of the pond, exudes a unique sense of tranquility, being considered one of the Buddhist temples. However, this beautiful temple has undergone several reconstructions.
Interestingly, the upper two floors of this temple are adorned with gold leaf, which is why it is known as the Golden Pavilion. Kinkaku-ji Temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by lush gardens, all combining to make this temple one of the top tourist attractions in Kyoto.
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest: #1 Top Tourist Attractions In Kyoto?
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is an incredible and dreamy area with an extraordinary view of bamboo trees reaching up to the sky, considered one of the top tourist attractions in Kyoto.
In this amazing area, you can also find the fascinating Monkey Park Iwatayama and Tenryu-ji Temple, allowing you to experience all three Kyoto tourist attractions in one place. In the Arashiyama region, you can rent a bicycle and enjoy the beautiful scenery of this area while cycling.
Spring can also be the best season to travel to Kyoto and this area because cherry blossoms in the spring and the changing colors of the leaves enhance the beauty of this area more than any other time.
Shugakuin Imperial Villa
The Shugakuin Imperial Villa was built in the 17th century by order of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, consisting of three parts. This villa boasts an extraordinary beautiful landscape and lush nature, allowing you to enjoy the utmost pleasure not only by visiting the historical site of this villa, built in ancient Japanese architectural style, but also by admiring the scenery of this villa.
Sento Imperial Palace
The Sento Imperial Palace is another tourist attraction in Kyoto, located adjacent to the Kyoto Imperial Palace within the Kyoto Imperial Park. It was built in 1630 as a retreat for the Emperor at that time. However, this original palace was destroyed, and the Omiya Palace was built on the same grounds in 1867, which is now the residence of the current prince.
Nishiki Market
If you want to step out of the natural ambiance and historical tourist attractions of Kyoto and experience some diversity, the Nishiki Market, which is a narrow and long street market, can completely change your mood.
This market has over 100 shops and restaurants offering various local foods, and you can also purchase specialty kitchenware in addition to food.
Higashiyama District
The Higashiyama District is one of the best historical tourist attractions in Kyoto, located along the eastern mountains of Kyoto. Here, you can become familiar with the traditional Japanese way of life and explore the historical structures of this area.
Philosopher’s Walk
The Philosopher’s Walk is a long path along the Biwa Canal in the Higashiyama district of northern Kyoto. The beautiful cherry trees and its extraordinary scenery have made it a historical and natural area that is also a great spot for photography, attracting tourists and being considered one of Kyoto’s tourist attractions.
However, the attractions of this area do not end here, and along the way, several shrines and temples are also visible.
Conclusion
We tried to introduce you to the top tourist attractions in Kyoto, Japan, a city known as the cultural heart of Japan, which has been home to several emperors in the past and boasts many historical sites. Among the top tourist attractions in Kyoto are the magnificent castles and palaces that have remained from ancient times to the present, with some being reconstructed and others remaining untouched, as well as the pristine landscapes that make spring the best time to visit Kyoto.
Kyoto On Google Mape
In your opinion, which is the number one top tourist attraction in Kyoto?
