Kyoto Things to Do Tips by ClareyD

Whilst we were unsuccessful in locating any Geishas in early evening in Gion, we were quite surprised when we went down Pontocho alley (a small alleyway lined with teahouses and traditional restaurants)around 6-7pm due to the amount of Geisha/Maiko we saw moving from one teahouse to another within the space of about 10-15 mins however the difficult thing is taking a picture. The only warning sign you get is the clip clop of the wooden clogs so you need to listen very carefully, they move very fast and so quickly the photo opportunity has gone. To get a picture you need to be both patient and lucky, quite crazily it almost feels like you are a member of the paparazzi.

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Address: Pontocho Alley
Directions: other side of the river Kamo across the bridge from Gion and take the alleyway first on the right

This is one of the classic Kyoto temples and all for different reasons to the others. Ryoanji is a Zen Buddhist temple and rather than a stunning landscape garden the garden here is rocks and stones. The monks spend hours every day carefully raking and arranging the gravel around the larger stones in the garden and their attention to detail is reflected in the results.

Best time to be here is very early in the morning, it opened at 8.30am in March when we were there, but in summer it opens at 8am. We arrived around 9am and it was very quiet so we had a chance to sit and appreciate the silence and the stillness of the garden. Just as we left around 9.30am the busses were arriving.

The temple also has some nice grounds with a pond that you can walk around on your way out.

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Address: North West Kyoto
Directions: With the JR pass we took the local train to Hanazono Station and from there just walked north in an almost straight line through the grounds of the Myoshinji Temple and the back streets of Toji-in

This is a must see on a trip to Kyoto. Probably the most famous temple in Kyoto. The Golden Temple is very impressive (even on a rainy day like when we were there). It is situated at the far end of a large pond full of carp and there are some very nice gardens surrounding it. The path leads you first to the classic photo spot on the opposite side of the pond, around the back of the pavilion and then through the gardens.

Being probably the top Kyoto attraction, expect crowds and tour busses. We found it best to visit the Ryoanji "Rock Garden" Temple first thing in the morning and walk from there to the Golden Temple.

Opening Times: 9am to 5pm
Cost: 400Yen

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Address: North West Kyoto
Directions: We walked along Kitsuji-dori from Ryoanji Temple. To get back to Kyoto station we took a bus south along Nishi-oji-dori to JR Emmachi Station and then train back to Kyoto Station.

If you only have a few days in Kyoto, I really recommend you shouldn't miss out on the philosopher's path in Easterm Kyoto which runs from Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji (Silver pavillion). Whilst it's especially beautiful during the sakura season and during fall, there is no doubt that this is a pleasant walk all year round if conditions co-operate.

Whilst the obvious attractions are the Silver Pavillion and Nanzen-ji you can also find some gems if you wander off the beaten path to some of the smaller temples along the way. We found these to be very quiet and pretty in their own ways. The walk took us about 2 hours including visiting the gardens of the silver pavillion and the grounds of the Nazen-ji although this depends on what you decide to look at on the way.

Whilst not essential, during busy seasons it may be better to get an early start to beat the tourists.

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Address: East Kyoto

For a change of pace from the many temples in Kyoto we found it great to take 1/2 a day in Arashiyama (North West Kyoto). A short walk from the Saga-Arashiyama JR Station is an area of bamboo forest that you can wander through. It was very peaceful when we were there and was great to see the towering bamboo.

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Address: Arashiyama
Directions: From the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station turn right and follow the alley ways and small roads directly west into the bamboo forest.

From there you can head south towards the river, across the bridge to the monkey park (see off the beaten path)

This is one of Kyoto's newest temples. Built in 1895 to cheer up the people of Kyoto after the capital was moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1868. On first site the huge tori gates over the main road aren't promising, but once inside that all changes. The large gravel courtyard contrasts with the green roof, the bright red painted wood and (on the day we visited) the clear blue sky.

Entrance to the temple area is free. The gardens cost 600Yen. Opens 8.30am and closes 5.30pm when we were there at the end of March.

Don't miss the Kyoto Handicraft Center round the back!

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Address: Okazaki region of Eastern Kyoto
Directions: We walked here from the southern end of the Philosophers path and it should probably be combined with this due to its location.

Drink the water and stay for the view.

This temple is built on wooden pillars on the hill side. From the balcony built on the right hand side of the temple you get a great view of Kyoto. Follow the route around the back of the temple for the classic view with the temple on the right hand side. The route then takes you down to the water fall where you can queue up and drink some of the water from the water fall ("Kiyo" means pure, "mizu" means water) and it is supposed to have healing properties. It is a tricky feat that involves taking a cup on the end of a 1m long pole and filling it from the water fall. You then need to drink the water without bashing the person next to you! The cups are irradiated so you won't catch the cold off the previous person.

Entrance to the area is free, 300Yen for the main hall. Open every day from 6am to 6pm.

It seems to be a popular destination for the tour busses, we went late in the day and it wasn't too bad.

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Address: East Kyoto
Directions: Follow Gojo-dori east from Kyoto station. We walked up through a huge graveyard that was very peaceful.