wendy's Reviews Page 9/30

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.

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.