Kyoto Things to Do Tips by worldkiwi

Nijo-jo isn't really a castle, it's more of a palace. The highlights of Nijo-jo include the nightingale floor inside the main palace building. The floor is a marvel of engineering and the persistent squeaking really resembles a sound of many birds (I've never heard a nightingale before, so I am not sure if that part is accurate). Also there are some stunning wall murals. No photos are allowed inside, so take your time and enjoy the sights (and sounds).
The gardens of the castle also had the biggest variety of cherry trees that I saw on my brief trip to Japan.

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Directions: Nijojomae station is right next to the complex. Nijojo is in the Nakagyo-ku area of Kyoto, about 1.5 km west of Kawaramachi-dori.

A walk through the Gion district of the Geisha, can reveal pleasing surprises, specially if you wander off into the back streets. This is a maiko, an apprentice geisha.

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Website: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html

The Philosopher's Path is in the eastern hills of Kyoto. It passes many small and some large temples and is a popular spot in the evening. You can end or begin it at Nanzen-ji Temple, just off Sanjo-dori.

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Kenninji, is a zen buddhist temple, just south of Gion. The temple was undergoing rennovations when I visited, but was very pleasant to walk around. I liked it more than Nanzenji, but that was probably because Nanzenji's zen gardens were closed when I went.
Kenninji has a remarkable main temple building with a fantastic fresco ceiling... it is a contemporary piece of work, but well worth going to see.
The grounds are prettier than Nanzenji and the zen garden is more accessible and seemingly part of the whole.
Entrance is JPY500.

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Directions: Gion area, south of Shijo-dori.

Nanzen-ji is a sprawling temple complex in the eastern hills of Kyoto. The size of some of the structures is amazing, especially the big archway.
There are supposed to be some remarkable zen gardens here too.
You can walk the Philospher's Path from this temple.
You have to pay to enter various gardens of the temple complex.

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Directions: Access from the city is via the Tozai subway line, or drive via Sanjo-dori.

The famed golden temple in the Kinkakuji temple complex is a sight to behold. I visited on a freezing March day in 2005. The sky was dark and it was sleeting by the time I got to see the temple. My fingers nearly froze off!
The temple is one of those few things that literally grabs your attention. Entry to the actual building is closed off, but the picturesque setting is the main attraction. There is actually very little else of major attraction in the temple complex. Take your time and linger at the Golden Pavillion, for, if you proceed too quickly past it, you'll be at the exit gate before you know it!!
The entry was JPY400 in 2005.

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Directions: Take the #205 bus from Kyoto Station. I took bus #59 back to my hotel on Kawaramachi-dori.

Ginkakuji temple complex is situated in the eastern part of Kyoto. You can reach it on bus number 32, which drops you the closest.
After a short walk up to the temple along a shopping street lined with souvenir shops you arrive at the main entrnace to the temple. The temple complex includes the Ginkakuji pavilion (originally it was planned that it would be covered in silver leaf, but this never happened), a remarkably spectacular zen garden featuring a mini Mt Fuji, and other temple buildings. The Tougudo building is a pretty sight from the garden walkway. You can wander into the temple buildings (beside the sand zen garden). A walkway through the gardens passes a piped waterfall and then proceeds up the hill behind the complex to a viewing area where you can look over the whole place.
The entrance fee in 2006 was JPY600, I think.

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Kiyomizu-dera is another large temple complex in the eastern part of Kyoto. The temple is reached on bus number 100 from Kawaramachi-dori, or bus number 206 from Kyoto Station. Another thronging shopping street leads up to the temple.
Kiyomizu-dera's main temple structures are built on a steep hillside and have huge wooden decks in front of them, from which you can get great views of Kyoto. The temple has a number of Shinto shrines in its precints as well. The whole is fascinating to wander around, but as this is popular tourist attraction, it is always crowded.
I think it cost JPY600 (2006) to get in.

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The gardens of Heian shrine complex are stunning in spring. Cherry blossom literally cascades from the trees and special frame work structures built around the cherry trees. The ponds and streams add to the beauty of the gardens. There is a picturesque covered bridge where you can sit and contemplate the gardens around you. This place is well worth the JPY600 entrance cost.

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Directions: To get to Heian, take bus #32 or bus #5. From the latter, get off opposite the Art Museum and walk through the park on the north side of the road.

Pontocho-dori is a narrow little lane east of Kawaramachi-dori and west of the Kamo river. The lane is hemmed in by restaurants and craft shops. It is particularly atmospheric at night when the eateries have red lanterns outside their doors. Even if you can't afford to eat in the expensive food-houses here, wander along the street an soak in the atmosphere. You may even spot Geisha hurrying along in the evening!

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