Western Kyoto

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Kyoto is a very big city; it cannot be finished within a day. Moreover, the must-see places in Kyoto are spread far apart from each other, so you need to consider the long travel time when you plan your trip to this ancient capital. Because of this, it is advisable to divide Kyoto into regions and visit each region per day. One of these regions is Western Kyoto. Western Kyoto is abundant with beautiful temples and stunning scenery. Some of the must-see places in this area are:

1) Kinkakuji or The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (金閣寺)
Kinkakuji is declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most popular destinations in Kyoto. The temple is covered with gold leaf thus acquiring thus the name. It is open from 9am to 5pm daily and entrance fee is 400yen. Aside from the temple, you can also explore the temple grounds and appreciate the beauty of nature. For a more authentic Kyoto experience, you can also try having a matcha tea break for 500yen. To avoid the crowds flocking to Kinkakuji, it is recommend to arrive there first thing in morning.

Kinkakuji (taken on November 15, 2008)

Kinkakuji from the nearby hill (taken on November 15, 2008)

Matcha break in Kinkakuji (taken on November 15, 2008)

"大" Sign on the mountain outside Kinkakuji - lit up during Obon (around 2nd week of August) as part of the Gozan festival in Kyoto (taken on November 15, 2008)

Access:
a) Kinkakuji Mae Bus Stop
b) Kinkakuji Michi Bus Stop

2) Ryoanji (龍安寺)
Kyoto is famous for its zen gardens and one of the most popular can be found in the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ryoanji. People come here to relax and absorb the natural beauty of the surroundings. There is a temple and a pond inside the Ryoanji grounds that are also worth visiting. The temple is open from 830am to 430pm. Entrace fee is 500yen.

Ryoanji Zen Garden (taken on November 15, 2008)

Access:
a) Ryoanji Mae Bus Stop
b) Keifuku Train Ryoanji Station

3) Ninnaji (仁和寺)
Ninnaji is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Western Kyoto. It is a famous Buddhist temple which once served as a summer home for the imperial family. Unlike nearby Kinkakuji, Ninnaji is often skipped by tourists making it less crowded. The temple is open from 930am to 430pm and entrance fee is 500yen. If you do not want to pay for the entrance fee, you can just explore the beautiful temple grounds.

Ninnaji Temple Gate (taken on November 15, 2008)

Ninnaji Temple Grounds (taken on November 15, 2008)

Access:
a) Omuro Ninnaji Bus Stop
b) Keifuku Train Omuro Ninnaji Station

Note: The three temples mentioned above are around 15-30 minutes apart from each other by foot. So if you have the time and energy, you need not ride the bus or train to get around.

4) Arashiyama or Mt. Arashi (嵐山)
The Arashiyama Area is not covered by the Kyoto one-day pass, and this is the reason why it is usually skipped by visitors. However, Arashiyama is one of my most favorite places in Kyoto and I recommend going there especially during autumn. This is one of the most beautiful places to do hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in spring or watching fall foliage in autumn. Go there from December 12-21 and you can see lanterns light up Arashiyama in the evening.

Arashiyama (taken on November 15, 2008)

Togetsu Bridge in Arashiyama (taken on November 15, 2008)

Keifuku Train (taken on November 15, 2008)

Access:
a) Hanshin Arashiyama Station
b) JR Sagano Line Saga Arashiyama Station
c) Keifuku Train Arashiyama Station
d) Keifuku Arashiyama Eki Mae Bus Stop

5) Tenryuuji (天龍寺)
A short walk from Arashiyama and you will reach another UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the five great zen temples of Kyoto, Tenryuuji. This temple is known for its beautiful landscape and zen garden with Mt. Arashi in the background. Tenryuuji is open from 830am to 530pm from March to October and 830am to 5pm from November to February. Entrance fee is 600yen.

Inside Tenryuuji (taken on November 15, 2008)

Tenryuuji (taken on November 15, 2008)

Access:
a) Hanshin Arashiyama Station
b) JR Sagano Line Saga Arashiyama Station
c) Keifuku Train Arashiyama Station
d) Keifuku Arashiyama Eki Mae Bus Stop