wendy's Reviews Page 2/23

When visiting Kyoto, besides Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Taisha, there's also an incredibly impressive ancient temple hidden in the city center—Higashi Honganji Temple.

Located near Kyoto Station, it's within walking distance and very convenient to reach. When I first saw it, what struck me most was the enormous and solemn wooden building before me. Its magnificent roof, intricate layers of wooden framework, and delicate decorations really make you stop and look up for a long time.

Higashi Honganji is the head temple of the Shinshu Otani-ha school of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and one of Kyoto's important Buddhist temples. The temple isn't only massive in scale. Once inside, you can also feel a quiet and composed atmosphere.

I especially like how it feels like a place that's worth stopping by even without making special plans.

Walking over from Kyoto Station, the bustle of the city is still behind you, but once you enter the temple grounds, the view suddenly becomes open and peaceful.

Magnificent wooden architecture × Kyoto's history × a peaceful temple atmosphere. If you happen to be near Kyoto Station, consider setting aside some time for Higashi Honganji Temple and experiencing another side of Kyoto's solemn and serene beauty.

After leaving the ticket gates at Keihan Uji Station, the first thing that comes into view is Uji's most iconic landmark—Uji Bridge. Spanning the Uji River, Uji Bridge is considered one of Japan's three ancient bridges, along with Seta no Karahashi Bridge and Yamazaki Bridge. The current bridge was rebuilt in 1996, retaining a traditional style with cypress railings and bronze decorations. Walking across it, the historic atmosphere blends with the river scenery, really giving you the feeling that you've arrived in Uji!

Near the center of the bridge, slightly toward the west side, a small section projects upstream. Known as San-no-ma, it is said to be the former site of a shrine dedicated to Hashihime, the guardian deity of Uji Bridge, adding a mythical quality to the bridge. Standing on the bridge and watching the Uji River flow gently by, with greenery along both banks and mountains in the distance, it's no wonder Uji always has such a quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

Founded in 1202, Kenninji is one of Kyoto's oldest Zen temples. Although it is near the lively Gion district and Hanamikoji Street, it is unexpectedly peaceful. It feels like Gion draws everyone's attention, making Kenninji a very pleasant hidden attraction.

Admission is JPY 800, and you need to remove your shoes before entering. The temple houses treasured works such as the Wind and Thunder Gods folding screens, and the gardens are filled with Zen touches throughout. It's a great place to sit and take your time appreciating the scenery while enjoying the quiet Japanese atmosphere.

I especially recommend walking all the way to the main hall. The moment you step inside, you're greeted by the subtle scent of wood. When you look up and see the spectacular ceiling painting, you can't help but stop in your tracks. It's truly breathtaking.

Besides temples and historic sites, Kyoto also has a large park that's perfect for families! Taiyogaoka is located in the hills of Uji. The grounds are very spacious, with shady trees and peaceful surroundings, making it especially pleasant to walk around. The park has all kinds of play equipment where children can run, jump, try different activities, and enjoy plenty of adventure. In summer, there's also a family pool where you can splash around and cool off. It's a great place to spend anywhere from half a day to a full day. If you enjoy nature and outdoor activities, it's well worth a visit!

When visiting Kyoto, I think staying near Kyoto Station is really convenient! The Kyoto Station Building itself has shopping, food, souvenirs, and places to relax, and there are also many department stores, shopping centers, and restaurants nearby, making it easy to shop or grab something to eat.

If it’s your first time in Kyoto, staying near the station is also a great choice. There are plenty of hotels in the area, and transportation is very convenient. You can easily reach Kyoto’s major attractions by JR, subway, or bus.

After a long day of sightseeing, you can return to the station, have dinner, and do some shopping before heading back to your hotel. It really saves time and effort. For independent travelers, the area around Kyoto Station is a great choice where it’s “convenient to stay, fun to explore, and easy to get anywhere!”

Zuishinin Temple has deep ties to the famous Heian-period poet Ono no Komachi and is also a well-known spot for viewing plum blossoms in Kyoto. I visited in the summer this time, so there were no plum blossoms to enjoy, but I unexpectedly discovered a different kind of peaceful beauty. The weather was excellent that day, and the blue sky and greenery made a beautiful backdrop for the historic temple. It looked good from every angle.

What I liked most was how few visitors there were. The entire place was quiet and relaxing, without the noisy crowds found at Kyoto's popular attractions, giving it an extra sense of peaceful Zen. It's an easy walk from Ono Station on the Kyoto subway and is perfect for a leisurely little trip. If you like quiet, traditional temples, I'd actually recommend taking a walk here rather than visiting the popular attractions.

Bishamondo Monzeki is a prestigious temple belonging to the “Five Monzeki Temples of the Tendai School in Kyoto.” It is also a well-known Kyoto destination for cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn. Unfortunately, there were no fall colors to enjoy when I visited, so it was missing some of autumn's vibrant colors, but that actually allowed me to appreciate a different kind of quiet beauty.

I took a leisurely walk from JR Yamashina Station to Bishamondo. There were few cars and people along the way, making the walk especially pleasant, as if I had the entire road to myself. Compared with the huge crowds at Kyoto's popular attractions, this place really felt as peaceful as having it all to myself. With no crowds of tourists, there was less noise and more relaxation. Even though I missed the fall foliage season I had been looking forward to most, the walk still felt very worthwhile.

A cute little shrine that's perfect for a quick stop while exploring Kiyomizu-dera! The most eye-catching feature of Yasaka Koshindo is the colorful “wish monkeys” hanging all around the grounds. The individual colorful cloth balls are so bright and cute that you can't help taking photo after photo just standing beside them.

This place also attracts many visitors in kimono who come specifically to take pictures, making the whole scene feel very Kyoto. But whether or not you're wearing a kimono, the colorful balls make a great backdrop for photos. Because it's so popular, the crowds are truly unbelievably huge! If you want a more complete, unobstructed shot, you may need to wait patiently for a while.

When walking around the Kiyomizu-dera area, don't forget to stop by this colorful little spot and take a few cute photos with a Kyoto feel!

Kodaiji Temple was built by Nene, the principal wife of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, to mourn her late husband and pray for the repose of his soul. It was also where she spent her later years and was laid to rest. Steeped in history, Kodaiji is also one of Kyoto's premier fall foliage spots.

Unfortunately, this visit was in the summer, so instead of mountains covered in brilliant red leaves, there was the lush greenery of the season. Walking through the dry landscape garden, bamboo paths, and historic buildings, Kasa-tei and Shigure-tei quietly tell the story of tea ceremony culture, while traces of Nene and Hideyoshi's history still seem to linger.

Even without the red maple leaves I had been looking forward to most, Kodaiji in summer was still peaceful and charming. Slow down, listen to the wind blowing through the bamboo grove, and watch the shadows of the trees sway. Amid the bustle of Kyoto, it's a quiet corner where you can settle your mind.

Built in 1255, Tofukuji Temple is one of Kyoto's most prominent Zen temples and a famous fall foliage spot. The temple has a history of nearly 800 years. Its name combines the “to” from Todaiji Temple and the “fuku” from Kofukuji Temple in Nara, symbolizing grand scale and prosperity for the temple.

The most famous attraction here is Tsutenkyo Bridge. Every fall, more than 2,000 maple trees below the bridge turn red, creating a breathtaking sight. There is also Japan's oldest Sanmon gate and the Garden of the Eight Aspects, designed by dry landscape garden master Mirei Shigemori. Architectural and garden elements from different periods and styles come together here in a fascinating way.

Interestingly, at Tofukuji, “what's in the name is also there in person.” Unlike the Chinese custom of sometimes adding whatever is lacking to a name, Tofukuji not only has an impressive name, but when you actually walk inside, you can truly feel the grandeur of both “to” and “fuku.”

I visited in the summer this time, so there were no mountains covered in red maple leaves, but instead there was a lush, tranquil atmosphere. It's a great place for a leisurely walk and to take in the atmosphere of an ancient temple, and it made me look forward even more to returning in the fall to see its most beautiful autumn foliage.