Aug. 24, 2021 UPDATE

The 20 landmarks that represent Kyoto the best!

The Kyoto Tower maybe the most famous landmark in Kyoto, but it is far from the only one! Check this article for the best ones.
Nijo Castle

If you go to Kyoto, I’m sure you will want to see things you can only see here, and experience things you can only do here. The cityscape of Kyoto is even to this day traditional, and there are many historic sites and landmarks you can only see here in Kyoto. Kyoto is famous for its shrines and temples, but actually, there are many other great places to see too! In this article, you can find out the best 20 landmarks in historic Kyoto.

20Shijo Ohashi Bridge

Shijo Ohashi Bridge

Shijo Ohashi Bridge is on top of the Kamo River. This bridge connects the area around Yasaka Shrine with that of the busy shopping district of Kawaramachi, and for this reason a lot of people cross the bridge every day. Remember to also take a look at the Minami-za kabuki theater, and the old restaurants and buildings of the area.


Address It runs from north to south of Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu
Open Hours Does not close



19Rock garden of Ryoan-ji Temple

Rock garden of Ryoan-ji Temple

Seeing a rock garden that mimics the flow of water with small pebbles is something everyone has to see when they come to Kyoto. The rock garden of Ryoan-ji Temple is maybe the most famous one, but many other temples have rock gardens too.


Address 13, Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 616-8001
Open Hours March - November : 8am - 5pm December – February: 8:30am – 4:30pm



18Shugakuin Imperial Villa

Shugakuin Imperial Villa

Shugakuin Imperial Villa is at the foot of Mt. Hiei. This is one of the defining landmarks of Kyoto, and the huge villa contains three big gardens.


Address Shugakuin-yabusoe, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu 606-8052
Open Hours Tour Time: 9am, 10am, 11am, 1:30pm, 3pm *Maximum number of visitors; 50 persons per each time



17Benten-do of Daigo-ji Temple

Benten-do of Daigo-ji Temple

At Daigo-ji Temple you can find a building named Benten-do where one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, Benzaiten, is enshrined. This place is exquisite during the autumn foliage season when the red leaves surround the vermillion building of Benten-do Temple, and it makes for rather Kyoto-like elegant scenery.


Address 22 Higashioji-cho, Daigo, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 601-1325
Open Hours ・March 1 to the first Sunday of December: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (entrance closes 4 p.m.) Second Monday of December until the end of February: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (entrance closes 3:30 p.m.) ・Kami-Daigo: March 1 to the first Sunday of December: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Second Monday of December until the end of February: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.



16Kyoto State Guest House

Kyoto State Guest House

The Kyoto State Guest House is used when important guests arrive in Kyoto from abroad. The building is quintessentially Japanese, there is a Japanese garden and the rooms are also Japanese-style. The place is open to the public, and you can either wander the grounds freely or take a guided tour.



Erika[ Sharing Kyoto Staff ]
This was a list of all the best landmarks in Kyoto. Those of you who want to take in some truly Kyoto-like scenes should go check them out!
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See Temples & Shrines Japanese Gardens Scenery Landmarks All Kyoto Area
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