wendy's Reviews Page 3/23

When visiting Kyoto, Pontocho is a street well worth taking your time to explore. It has been a bustling downtown district in Kyoto since the Edo period, and the street still retains a strong sense of old Kyoto. This time, I visited during the day. Without the lively nighttime crowds and noise, the street felt especially quiet and peaceful. Traditional machiya townhouses and narrow alleys line both sides, giving it a uniquely Kyoto charm. Strolling leisurely through the area and experiencing the atmosphere of daily life in the ancient capital has a charm of its own. It's also a great place to take beautiful photos.

The Museum of Kyoto is a comprehensive cultural facility that introduces Kyoto's history and culture. Through a wide variety of exhibits, it presents the city's development and culture in a clear and easy-to-understand way.

General admission is JPY 500, and student admission is JPY 400, so the prices are quite affordable. The building's exterior is also very beautiful, and the exhibitions are good, with different themes each time.

One downside is that the explanations inside the museum are mainly only in Japanese and English, with no support for other languages. If you're not very familiar with Japanese or English, it may be a little difficult to gain a deeper understanding of the exhibits.

If you have enough time in your itinerary and enjoy history, culture, or museums, I would still recommend stopping by and taking your time to experience a side of Kyoto's cultural appeal that's different from its tourist attractions.

When viewing cherry blossoms in Kyoto, save Ninna-ji Temple for your last stop! With its long-standing ties to the imperial family, Ninna-ji preserves historic buildings such as the Kondo Hall and Goten Palace. The traditional atmosphere and cherry blossoms in full bloom come together to create a beautiful Kyoto scene.

The most captivating sight is the famous Omuro cherry blossoms, which usually bloom a little later than in other parts of Kyoto. When they are in full bloom, the sea of soft pink blossoms against the temple buildings and five-story pagoda truly captures the feeling of spring in Kyoto. On this visit to Ninna-ji, I arrived just as the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. Romantic shades of pink filled the view, and everything looked beautiful in photos.

Katsura Imperial Villa, acclaimed as a masterpiece of Japanese garden design, is also a place I had always wanted to visit in person. It is said that the garden took a long time to design, build, and refine. Only after stepping inside can you truly appreciate the ingenuity of a classical Japanese garden, where the scenery changes with every step.

Visiting in summer, there were none of the brilliant cherry blossoms or maple leaves, but instead, everything was lush green. The trees, pond, teahouses, and small bridges created a fresh and peaceful summer scene in the sunlight. As I slowly followed the path through the circuit-style garden, every turn seemed to reveal a different landscape. However, Katsura Imperial Villa is not a place you can simply visit without planning. You need to apply for a reservation in advance and enter at your scheduled time. The site is managed by the Imperial Household Agency. It is recommended that you arrive at least 20 minutes early to verify your identity and check in before waiting for the group to assemble.

Tours are available in Japanese and English, and multilingual audio guides are also provided. Even if you do not understand Japanese, the guide can help you learn more about the history and design behind the garden. The entire tour lasts about an hour, and the group enters and exits together. Along the way, you pass many narrow paths and small bridges, and some sections are uneven, so a certain level of walking ability is definitely required.

Hidden in Kyoto's Mount Takao, Jingoji Temple is an ancient temple filled with a sense of history. Following the mountain path to the temple, you are surrounded by greenery and accompanied by the valley, and the natural scenery along the way feels especially pleasant. Jingoji Temple is also one of Kyoto's famous spots for fall foliage. In autumn, the entire mountain is covered in red and yellow, creating a stunning sight. This time, however, I visited in summer. Instead of the brilliant maple leaves, the mountain was covered in lush greenery. The forest felt fresh and peaceful, with a vitality unique to summer.

The climb requires some stamina, but the scenery along the way is beautiful, and walking through the forest is quite soothing. After arriving at the temple, you can feel even more strongly the traces of history and culture left here. The ancient buildings blend with the natural landscape, making it feel as though you are not just here to enjoy the scenery, but are also stepping into Kyoto's long history. If you enjoy natural scenery, hiking, walking, and Japanese history and culture, Jingoji Temple is well worth adding to your Kyoto itinerary.

In summer, the mountains are covered in greenery, while autumn brings spectacular red maple leaves. Each season has its own beauty.

When visiting Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Temple is definitely worth adding to your itinerary. This Zen temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and once ranked first among the “Five Great Zen Temples of Kyoto.” The highlights of the temple grounds are the iconic Sogenchi Garden and the Cloud Dragon painting, which shouldn’t be missed.

This time, I especially recommend buying the “Buildings + Garden” combo ticket so you can enjoy both the temple architecture and the garden scenery. Stepping inside the buildings, with their rustic wooden architecture, tatami mats, and peaceful spaces, feels like suddenly traveling back to ancient Japan. Sitting inside and quietly admiring the garden makes it feel as if time has slowed down.

Sogenchi Garden is like a work of art painted by nature. The pond, green trees, mountain views, and garden complement one another. It doesn’t need elaborate decorations to be so beautiful that you won’t want to leave.

When visiting Arashiyama, besides the bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, I also highly recommend making time for Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama! About 120 Japanese macaques live at the top of the mountain. They roam freely in a natural environment, and you can see how their lives change with the seasons.

I visited around noon on a weekday, and unexpectedly, it wasn’t too crowded. There were also quite a few Western visitors, so it seems to be a spot that’s popular with international travelers. After entering the monkey park, the most important thing is to respect the monkeys’ space. Signs there also remind visitors: simply put, don’t provoke them. Just be a quiet passerby. When the monkeys are chasing or playing with each other, try not to get close or interfere. As long as you keep a safe distance, you can observe them without worry.

It’s an uphill walk from the entrance to the top of the mountain. Once you arrive, you can watch the monkeys up close and also look out over the Arashiyama area. Overall, it’s quite an interesting experience.

Located at the foot of Mount Ogura in Sagano, Kyoto, Nison-in Temple is a historic Tendai Buddhist temple with deep ties to the Imperial Family. Its official name is “Ogura-yama Nison Kyoin Kedai-ji.” According to tradition, it was commissioned by Emperor Saga and founded by Ennin. The temple enshrines two principal Buddhist images, Shakyamuni Buddha and Amida Buddha, which is why it is called “Nison-in,” or the Temple of Two Buddhas. Mount Ogura, where the temple is located, also has deep connections to the Hyakunin Isshu poetry anthology. Walking around the temple grounds gives you a special sense of Kyoto's historic charm. The weather that day was also beautiful, with sunlight filtering through the greenery and falling on the old temple buildings. The whole area was quiet and pleasant, and walking along the approach really felt like Kyoto.

When visiting Arashiyama, in addition to enjoying the beautiful scenery, I also recommend setting aside time for a meal featuring Kyoto's classic yudofu, or simmered tofu. Yudofu Sagano is a well-known restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Japanese architecture, a beautiful Japanese garden, and its signature yudofu cuisine all at once. Sitting in the dining area overlooking the Japanese garden and taking in the relaxed, peaceful atmosphere makes the whole dining experience feel very Kyoto-like.

The yudofu I tried this time had a delicate texture and a light, refreshing flavor. It was simple, but it really highlighted the characteristics of Japanese cuisine, and I quite liked the overall taste. The lunch set was JPY 4,400 including tax. For the price, I personally thought the portion was average to slightly small, so anyone with a bigger appetite might not feel completely full.

Aside from the food, however, the biggest draw here is still the setting and atmosphere. The garden is beautiful, and together with the traditional Japanese architecture, it feels especially relaxing to sit down and enjoy a leisurely meal.

When visiting Arashiyama, besides enjoying Togetsukyo Bridge and the surrounding mountain and river scenery from the shore, I also recommend taking a yakatabune boat to experience Arashiyama's beauty from a different perspective on the river. Sitting on the boat with the cool river breeze, you can slowly take in the green mountains and flowing water along both banks. It's relaxing and pleasant, and really captures the atmosphere of summer in Kyoto. The most special part of this boat ride is that the boatman also serves as a guide, sharing many interesting stories and facts along the way and introducing Japan's traditional culture of cormorant fishing.