Fushimi Momoyama Castle

Fushimi Momoyama Castle (Fushimi Momoyama-jo) was built as a retreat for the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ruled Japan in the latter half of the 16th century. It was completely demolished under the orders of the shogunate of Edo which began to rule Japan in the 17th century, however, and its building structures were donated to temples and shrines in the city of Kyoto. It is said that the place name Momoyama ("Peach Mountain") came about as many peach trees were planted around the site of the castle. The existing Fushimi Momoyama Castle was built in 1964 on the site of the demolished prototype. The donjon has one floor underground and six floors above ground, in which historic antiquities are exhibited up to the fifth floor. The sixth floor is an observation level.

Nijo Castle

Nijo Castle (Nijo-jo) was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founding shogun of the Edo shogunate which ruled Japan from the beginning of the 17th century, for use as a base when he was in Kyoto. The donjon was destroyed by fire caused by lightning in 1750, but the imposing exterior, the opulent interior structure and the splendid garden arranged with megaliths tell us of the dominance of the shogun of the time. The castle ground measures roughly 500 m. east to west and about 400 m north to south, and is designated a Historic Site. The outworks of the castle, designated as a National Treasure, have six buildings connected by corridors, and the walls and sliding paper doors of each room are decorated with paintings by a prominent Japanese artist.

Daisen-in Shoin Temple Garden

Daisen-in Shoin Temple Garden is a Japanese-style garden of the type known as a karesansui, laid out using only stones, sand, trees and plants, and no water. The narrow space on the east side of the study, with stonework consisting of many stones of various sizes, symbolizes a natural environment of steep mountains and deep valleys. (This is a typical Japanese representation of nature.) On the south side of a corridor connecting the study and the temple kitchen is a sand bar, which by itself symbolizes a torrent rushing into the great ocean. The garden has been designated a special scenic site and historic site by the Japanese government.

Ginkaku-ji Temple Garden

Ginkaku-ji Teien has an area of around 25,000 square meters. It is said that the temple itself was modeled on the temple Saiho-ji (also known as Koke-dera), which is known for its luxuriant growth of moss. The garden is composed of two terraces. The upper terrace is arranged in the style of a dry garden using stones, sand, and plants with no water, to represent a scenic view. The lower terrace is designed to entertain visitors with changing scenes as they walk around the Kyoko-chi Pond. One Japanese custom is to enjoy the beauty of the autumnal full moon. In front of the main hall, which is the center of the temple, there are two large sand mounds called Ginshadan and Kogetsudai, intended to accentuate the beauty of the moon.

Heian-jingu Shrine

Imitating the Oten-mon Gate from the Heian Period, this Japanese garden belongs to the Heian-jingu Shrine, with a large red front gate as its symbol, and had been tended from the Meiji through to the Showa Era by the 7th generation master gardener, Jihei (Ueji) Ogawa. He has spent over 20 years tending the garden, which is now specified as an important scenic spot in Japan. The 30,000 square meter round-the-pond garden is divided into four different gardens of east, central, west, and south, which are inhabited by large varieties of birds, from kingfishers to large falcons. But by far the most impressive sight to see in the garden is the spring cherry blossoms. Buildings such as the red-painted Byakko-ro (White Tiger Tower) of the Heian-jingu Shrine or the Minami Shin-en (south garden) match beautifully with the pink color from the weeping cherry blossoms.

Jikko-in Temple

Jikko-in Temple can be found about five minutes further along the path to Sanzen-in Temple, in Ohara-no-Sato, Kyoto. Built as a sub-temple of Shorin-in Temple in 1013, the south side of its reception hall has a viewing garden called Keishin-en, which takes water from the nearby Ritsusen River to feed the Shinji-ike Pond. The nearer side of the pond represents everyday life, while the opposite side represents paradise, with beautifully trimmed and arranged plants and trees. The west side features a round-the-pond garden which was created in recent years by the head priest himself. This garden features continually blooming cherry trees, which reach full bloom in November, making it possible to witness the breathtaking sight of flowering cherry trees alongside the ambers and golds of autumn colors in the autumn season.

Katsura-Rikyu Garden

Katsura Rikyu was once a villa belonging to the royal family. The spacious garden and the buildings scattered throughout it blend perfectly to form a beautiful scene. The German architect Bruno Taut expressed great admiration for Katsura Rikyu. In earlier days, visitors viewed the scenery of the spacious pond, with its islands of various sizes, from a boat. This is why the bridges spanning the pond are arched to enable the passing of boats. These days, visitors can enjoy the garden while walking around the pond. The perimeter of the pond, the seven buildings standing on islands in the pond, and an artificial hill known as a tsukiyama form a superb composition. Care has been given to make even the smallest of items such as the paving stones and stone lanterns both practical and beautiful. Katsura Rikyu offers many locations of interest, and visitors will discover new things each time they visit. Prior permission is required to visit the garden, obtainable by filing an application with the Kyoto office of the Imperial Household Agency.

Kinkaku-ji Temple Garden

A large pond named Kyoko-chi forms the core of this garden. The garden is designed to provide a view of different scenes while walking around the pond, and accounts for about 93,000 of the 132,000 square meter temple grounds. The Kyoko-chi Pond alone takes up 60,600 square meters and includes islands of various sizes such as Naka-jima and Iwa-jima. There are also rocks and stones of unusual shapes. These islands have different shapes depending on the angle from which they are seen. The scene viewed from the Sekka-tei Cottage at the back of the hill is particularly impressive. The reflection of the golden pavilion on the water is also striking.

Konchi-in Temple Garden

Konchi-in Temple Garden is said to have been laid out by master gardener Kobori Enshu (1579-1647). Unlike the typical Zen temple which is simple in all respects, this garden is unusually ornate. It is arranged in the shape of a crane and a tortoise facing each other. Tsuru-jima (crane island) on the right is composed of a stone for the crane's head and other stones for its wings, plus pine trees planted at the back. Kame-jima (tortoise island) consists of a stone for the tortoise's head, and other stones for claws, legs and a tail, all of which are positioned around the stones representing the shell. In the foreground, white sand is spread to symbolize the sea. In Japan, the pairing of crane and tortoise is believed to be a symbol of good fortune. The garden was created as a prayer for eternal prosperity.

Myoshin-ji Temple Taizo-in Temple, Keishun-in Temple, Daishin-in Temple

Although it is a main temple of the Myoshin-ji group of the Rinzai sect, which contains 47 sub-temples in a vast area, its Honbo garden is rather simple with impressive paired sand cones, used for public events and ceremonies. It is famous as a garden, but also the following three sub-temples are open to the public: Taizo-in Temple is said to have been made in the Muromachi Period by Kano Motonobu, and features a dynamic combination of garden stones such as Karetaki (Dry waterfall, that has a shape of waterfall but without water), Horai-san (Sacred mountain, where sennin, immortal persons, are believed to live), Kamejima (Island shaped like a turtle) and Ishibashi(Stone bridge), to create this spectacular Karesansui garden (gravel garden). Keishun-in Temple has different types of gardens called the Garden of Purity to the south and the Garden of Manas to the east. The garden of Daishin-in Temple is known as the Peony Garden, built in the Showa Era, containing a pretty flowerbed at the center, surrounded by cut stones.

Nanzen-ji Temple

Nanzen-ji Temple was Emperor Kameyama's imperial villa, but was turned into a temple in 1291, and in the Muromachi Period (1390-1592) stood as the main temple of the Rinzai sect Nanzen-ji group, which headed Kyoto Gozan (five temples). Once you step through the grand San-mon Gate and set foot into the Hojo Garden, you enter another world. The garden in front of the head priest's residence is surrounded by the Tsuiji wall (Mud wall with a tiled roof), with six stones placed by the wall on white sand, and is said to have been made by Kobori Enshu. The stones are systematically connected and separated one by one, and its unique and outstanding arrangement is famously known as "a mother tiger and her cubs crossing the river." It is a typical Karesansui garden (gravel garden) of white sand.

Nishi-Honganji Daisho-in Temple Garden

Nishi-Honganji is the headquarters of the Hongan-ji branch of the Jodo-Shinshu　Buddhist sect . Surrounded by traditional mud walls, it is a large castle-like temple located on Horikawa-dori, a street near Kyoto Station. The river flowing in front of the temple was once used as a waterway. The Daisho-in Temple Garden is a dry garden of 760 square meters using stones, white sand, trees and plants to symbolize mountains, rivers and the sea, without using water. In the sea made of white sand there are two islets, one each for a crane and a tortoise, with an artificial mound near the front. The stand-alone stonework on the left is designed to represent a waterfall in a deep valley. Stones used for this garden were transferred from Juraku-dai, the residence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who ruled Japan toward the end of the 16th century. The sheer size of the 4-meter stone bridge connecting the islets of Tsuru-jima and Kame-jima tells of Hideyoshi's pride as supreme commander of Japan at that time.

Ryoan-ji Hojo Temple Garden

Ryoan-ji Hojo Temple Garden is one of Kyoto's most famous locations. A fence surrounds three sides of an oblong garden of about 1,000 square meters, with white sand spread over the ground. The surface of the sand is raked into a ripple pattern, with 15 stones in groups of seven, five and three positioned with exquisite balance. Although limited in space, it gives visitors a sense of infinite expanse. The fifteen rocks are arranged so there is always one rock that cannot be seen regardless of the angle.

Saiho-ji Temple Garden

Saiho-ji Temple Garden is said to have been founded in the 14th century by Muso Kokushi, a master gardener. It is one of Kyoto's most famous gardens, a dry garden with impressive scenery created using rocks, sand and plants on a slope behind the main hall. The falls created by the stonework of a three-stepped terrace are impressive. Visitors can enjoy the scenery while walking around the pond. The garden is covered in over 120 different species of moss, creating an illusionary and tranquil ambience in rich green. Many people visit the temple to experience this particular beauty. The temple is better known as Koke-dera - the temple of moss.

Sanpo-in Temple Garden

Sanpo-in Temple Garden was laid out by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the ruler of Japan toward the end of the 16th century, as a place to enjoy cherry blossom viewing. The garden is 5,280 square meters, and is designed so that visitors can enjoy changing scenery while walking around it. However, priority was placed on the view seen from within the building. It is said that when Hideyoshi visited here on a preliminary inspection, he himself designated the site of the pond at the center of the garden. Hideyoshi's orders were to create a larger pond than the one that exists today. The actual pond constructed after Hideyoshi's death was reduced to about half the size of what he had instructed. Many stones used for the garden were transported from his residence, Jurakudai. Today, visitors can enjoy views of the garden while walking along a corridor. An island in the center of the pond, a reclaimed island, and the bridges which span them provide visitors with different perspectives depending on the angle.

Shugaku-in Rikyu Teien Temple Garden

Shugaku-in Rikyu was once a villa used by the royal family. The majestic garden there is designed to allow visitors to enjoy a change in scenery while walking around the pond. The garden is divided into three sections; Kami-o-chaya, Naka-o-chaya and Shimo-o-chaya. Kami-o-chaya takes up a major part of the garden. Visitors can enjoy a grand view of the large pond and its surrroundings. There is an island in the pond, with bridges including Kaede-bashi and Chitose-bashi spanning the pond. A cottage called Rin-un-tei is located on a rise on the south side of the pond. From a wooden-floored room inside the cottage, visitors can enjoy views of urban Kyoto as well as Arashi-yama, a mountain famed for its beautiful scenery - a view befitting an imperial court garden. Prior permission must be obtained for admission to the garden by filing an application with the Kyoto office of the Imperial Household Agency.

Tenryu-ji Temple Garden

The Tenryu-ji Temple Garden is said to have been built by the founder of the temple, Muso Kokushi. The garden is designed to enable a visitor to enjoy changes in scenery while walking around the Sogen-chi Pond. The scenery of two hills - Kame-yama and Arashi-yama - both of which are located outside the garden, form part of the composition. This technique of making use of the surrounding landscape in garden design is known as shakkei. Stonework on a hill at the back of the pond symbolizes a mountain stream cascading into the pond. There are also stones symbolizing carp. This idea stems from a traditional Chinese fable in which a carp swims up a waterfall to become the more superior dragon. Among the gardens designed by master gardener Muso Kokushi, this garden is believed to be the least changed and is considered one of the most exquisite of all Japanese gardens.

Tofuku-ji Temple Hojo Garden

Tofuku-ji Temple is one of the Kyoto Gozan (five temples), and is a main temple of the Tofuku-ji group of the Rinzai sect. Many gardens have remained in the Zen buddhist head priest's residences for many years, but surrounding the residence with gardens, as in this temple, is rare. It was created in 1938 by Mirei Shigemori. The south garden, which is in front of the head priest's residence, contains four great stones that represent islands within a raked sand garden that represents a stormy sea, while the artificial hills in the west show the Gozan; taken all together it represent Shinsenkyo, the place of gods and hermits. The north garden contains brilliant checkered patterns created by moss plants and paving stones, while the west gardens have checkered patterns made from azalea and white sand. The east side garden uses pillars to create abstract patterns. The group of four gardens is collectively known as the Hasso Garden, a now famous representation of modern Zen Buddhist gardens.

Kyoto Furitsu Sogo Shiryokan (Kyoto Prefectural General Information Hall)

Kyoto Furitsu Sogo Shiryokan (The Kyoto Prefectural General Information Hal) collects and preserves a diverse range of information on Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, as well as other information including documentary information, administrative documents and ancient documents related to the history, fine arts, crafts and performing arts of Japan, in a collection totaling around 470,000 items. These are available for perusal at the hall, and the hall is also equipped with apparatus for viewing digitized images of valuable works of calligraphy and paintings, plus CD-ROMs. Courses and classes on ancient documents are run by the hall, and a consultation service is available for various types of ancient documents.

Kyoto Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan (Kyoto National Museum)

Kyoto Kokuritsu Hakubutsukan (The Kyoto National Museum), located in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto, collects and preserves venerable works of art and archaeological information from the countries of the Far East, including Japan. The museum is composed of a redbrick main hall built in 1895 in the French Renaissance style, and a new two-storied concrete annex built in 1965. The main hall was designed by the architect Tokuma Katayama, who contributed greatly to the introduction of Western architecture to Japan. Together with the redbrick main gate and part of the wall, the main hall was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1969 by the Japanese government. The new annex regularly exhibits artworks from East Asia, with a focus on Japan, while the main hall is used for special exhibits. The regular exhibition displays not only works housed in the permanent collection of the museum, but also many articles donated by temples and shrines in the Kinki region, including Kyoto.

Kyoto Furitsu Domoto-Insho Bijutsukan (Art Museum)

Kyoto Furitsu Domoto-Insho Bijutsukan is located near Ritsumeikan University in the northern part of the city of Kyoto. Built in accordance with a concept originated by Insho Domoto, himself a Japanese-style painter, the museum opened in 1966. Domoto designed the entire facility, from the white outer walls and unique exterior of the building to the interior decoration. In 1991 the museum and all its collections were donated to the present administrators, Kyoto Prefecture. About 2,000 items, including Japanese paintings and ceramic arts and sculptures produced by Domoto from his early days through to his later years, are housed at the museum.

Kyoto Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan (Museum of Modern Art)

Kyoto Kokuritsu Kindai Bijutsukan is located in a corner of Okazaki Koen, a park where the elegant atmosphere of old Kyoto, in its days as the ancient capital, still lingers. While paying due attention to the development of Japanese modern art as a whole, this museum places particular emphasis on the fine arts of western Japan, and makes an active effort to collect and display Japanese paintings as well as modern Western paintings. Activities focused on artwork and design, including fashion, are a major feature of this museum, reflecting the status of Kyoto as a mecca of traditional arts and crafts. Exhibits are rotated regularly to display the 6,000 works held by the museum. These include the ceramic art of Kenkichi Tomimoto and Shoji Hamada, Japanese paintings by Seiho Takeuchi and Bakusen Tsuchida, and Western-style paintings by Ryuzaburo Umehara.

Byodo-in Temple

Established in the 11th century, the Byodo-in is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. At the time it was established, this temple contained a large number of buildings on its expansive site. However, most of these buildings have been destroyed by the flames of war. All that remain at the present time are Hoo-do ("Phoenix Hall"), Kannon-do Hall, which is designated by the national government as an Important Cultural Property, and the bell tower. The Hoo-do is particularly well known for its depiction on the 10-yen coin. Its formal name is Amida-do, but it has a phoenix ("hoo") -- a mythical bird of China -- on its roof; and the building itself looks like two wings spread out. Enshrined in this temple is a seated figure of the Amida-Nyorai Buddha, who presides over paradise. This Amida-Nyorai Buddha is designated as a National Treasure.

Chion-in Temple

Chion-in, located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, is a temple of the Jodo (Pure Land) sect of Buddhism. The temple was originally built as a zenbo (priests' living quarters within a temple) by the priest Honen, founder of the Jodo sect. The gate, designated by the Japanese government an Important Cultural Property, is the largest wooden gate in Japan. Other Important Cultural Properties at the temple are buildings such as the Kyo-zo (storehouse for sculptures), Miei-do (hall enshrining the founder of the sect), Dai-hojo (room for the head priest), Sho-hojo, Chokushi-mon (gate for Imperial messengers), Dai-shoro (large bell tower) and Kuri (kitchen and living quarters for priests). The temple is also renowned for its Uguisu-bari (literally "bush warbler floor boards"), a corridor which, when walked upon, sounds like the singing of a bird.

Daigo-ji Temple

Established in the 9th century, Daigo-ji was restored in the 16th century by the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the supreme leader of Japan at that time. With its precinct encompassing the entire mountain of Daigo-san, it is one of the largest temples in Kyoto. This vast temple precinct is divided into the area on top of the mountain and the area at the bottom of the mountain, and contains more than 80 buildings. With many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties contained here, the entire temple is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. In the area at the bottom of the mountain are the Kon-do and a five-storied pagoda, both of which are designated as National Treasures. This five-storied pagoda is the oldest extant architectural structure in Kyoto. The Seiryo-gu Haiden, which is located 3.5 km. up the steep slope from the Nyonin-do, in the area at the bottom of the mountain, is also designated as a National Treasure. The temple has been known for its cherry blossoms since the time of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Daikaku-ji Temple

Daikaku-ji, located in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, was founded by converting the site of an Imperial villa into a temple in 876. Successive members of the Imperial family had occupied the position of head of the temple, and as a consequence the temple was also regarded as a residence of the Imperial family and known as the "Saga Imperial Palace." The Shinden (palace for the emperor's daily use) has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government, and the entire temple grounds are also designated a national historic site. Today, Daikaku-ji attracts many worshippers as a seminary for study of the Han'nya-Shingyo, a Buddhist sutra. The Saga school of flower arrangement, handed down at Daikaku-ji over many centuries, maintains its historical traditions and status while incorporating modern sensibilities, and thus is increasing in popularity year by year.

Daisen-in Temple

Daisen-in, located inside the Daitoku-ji temple precincts, is - along with Ryugen-in - the oldest building of the Zen sect of Buddhism. Zen is famous for the practice of zazen, or religious meditation. The garden situated on the east side of the main inner temple building is a stone-and-sand type of garden called Karesansui, which expresses the flow of water from the mountains to the sea by means of only stones and white sand. Many of the temples in the compound of Daitoku-ji have Karesansui-type gardens. The abbot's chamber, which is the main hall, is designated as a National Treasure. The interior of this building is decorated with sliding screen door paintings done in Chinese monochrome style by Kano Motonobu, including paintings of natural scenes depicting flowers and birds. These paintings are designated by the national government as Important Cultural Properties.

Daitoku-ji Temple

Daitoku-ji is the biggest temple in the northern part of Kyoto. It is a temple of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. In its huge compound are 21 buildings which house a large number of cultural properties. Built in the 14th century, this temple was destroyed by fire during a time of internal strife, but was subsequently restored by the famous priest Ikkyu. The outer gate to Ryugen-in and the main hall are the oldest structures at Daitoku-ji, and are also designated by the national government as Important Cultural Properties. Zuiho-in, established by a Christian daimyo, is noted for the cross made from seven stones that extend across its Karesansui (a garden wherein nature is expressed with just stone and sand). The large triple temple gate, which is an Important Cultural Property, was built through the aid of the tea master Sen-no-Rikyu.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Grand Shrine

Fushimi Inari-taisha, located on the mountain of Inari-san, in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, is known as the headquarters of all the Inari shrines nationwide, said to total 40,000. The shrine is believed to have been built in 711 by one Hata-no-Irogu, who came over to Japan from the continent, and the Hata family administered the shrine over many generations. The shrine is sacred to Uka-no-mitama-no-kami who presides over the five cereal crops and was originally worshipped as the god of foods and agriculture, but later as the god of commerce and fisheries as well. Even now, people praying for prosperity in business worship Uka-no-mitama-no-kami. At the beginning of the year, the shrine bustles with crowds of visitors praying for happiness throughout the year.

Heian-jingu Shrine

Heian-jingu was built in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto in 1895, on the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital from Nara to Kyoto. The deity enshrined there is Emperor Kanmu, who had been responsible for transferring the capital. Kyoto prospered as the capital for more than 1,000 years until the modern government moved it to Tokyo upon the termination of rule by the samurai class. The transfer of the capital in 1868 caused a decline in the prosperity of Kyoto, but, the people of Kyoto united to revitalize the city and built Heian-jingu. Emperor Komei, the last emperor of the period during which the capital was situated in Kyoto, was enshrined jointly here with Emperor Kanmu in 1940. Visitors to the precincts of the shrine can enjoy seasonal displays that include irises and weeping cherry trees.

Higashi Hongan-ji Temple

Higashi Hongan-ji is in Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto. The Otani sect of Jodo-Shinshu, one of the Buddhist sects, calls its Hongan-ji the "Higashi (eastern) Hongan-ji." The Jodo sect, founded by Shinran, a priest known for his activities in the 12th-13th centuries, was widely adopted by the public and came to acquire great influence. Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate which ruled Japan early in the 17th century, feared the considerable power of Hongan-ji and decided to split it, thus creating Higashi (eastern) Hongan-ji and Nishi (western) Hongan-ji. The temple building has been burned down several times, and the present building dates back to 1895.

Jakko-in Temple

The temple of Jakko-in in the Ohara district of Sakyo-ku, Kyoto ranks with the Sanzen-in as a famous scenic temple of Ohara. Jakko-in is believed to have been built in around the 7th century by Shotoku Taishi, son of the Emperor Yomei, in memory of his father. In 1185, Emperor Antoku drowned himself in the straits of Dannoura on the Sea of Suo, together with the Heike army, who were defeated in the Battle of Dannoura. His mother, Kenrei Mon'in, subsequently entered the nunnery here. The 2.5 m wooden standing statue of Jizo-Bosatsu enshrined here has been designated an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. The Main Hall was unfortunately lost to fire in May 2000, and the statue was partially burned in the flames.

Jisho-ji Temple (Ginkaku-ji Temple)

At the end of the 15th century, Ashikaga Yoshimasa built the Jisho-ji as his villa. He was shogun then, taking the example of his grandfather who had built the Kinkaku-ji. After Yoshimasa's death, the building was converted into a temple in accordance with his wishes. Ginkaku-ji ("Temple of the Silver Pavilion") got its name from the Ginkaku ("Silver Pavilion"), which stands in the temple grounds. The garden of this temple is famous as a historical site representative of the unique style of the Higashi-yama culture of that time. The Kannon-den and Togu-do are both designated as National Treasures.

Jojakuko-ji Temple

The temple of Jojakuko-ji is situated on the side of a mountain and was established at the end of the 16th century. It is famous for its autumn leaves. The steep stairway upwards from the thatched Nio-mon (a gate with Buddhist statues standing at either side) leads to the main hall which enshrines a Buddhist image, the Myoken-do, and the Taho-to pagoda (which enshrines, among other things, the Buddha). These buildings face the mountains. The pagoda, which is designated by the national government as an Important Cultural Property, is a relatively new structure constructed in the 17th century. It is built, however, in the gorgeous 16th-century Momoyama style. This pagoda affords a spectacular view of the city of Kyoto. On exhibit at the Kadokura historical museum, located on the left side of the main gate to the temple, are ancient documents and personal effects of the Kadokura, a family of wealthy merchants who had a close connection with Jojakko-ji.

Kamigamo-jinja Shrine (Kamowake-ikazuchi-jinja Shrine)

Kamigamo-jinja, the oldest shrine in Kyoto, is known for its Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival), one of Kyoto's three big festivals. The sanctuaries are said to have been built at the end of the 7th century. These sanctuaries stand on a huge site which has an area of approximately 660,000 sq m. The main shrine (where the deity is enshrined) and the Gonden (the temporary main shrine where the deity is enshrined while the main shrine was being built) are designated as National Treasures, while 34 other buildings of this shrine are designated as Important Cultural Properties. Each one of these structures is also recognized by UNESCO as World Cultural Heritage. In the world of Shinto (a traditional and unique religion of the Japanese people, as well as the lifestyle and ideology supporting this religion), only Ise-jingu in Mie Prefecture wields more authority than Kamigamo-jinja. The shrine is surrounded by stone walls and white earthen walls. The neighborhood of uniquely shaped houses in which past Shinto priests at this shrine lived has been selected by the national government as an Important Traditional Residential Area. Some of these houses are open to the public.

Kifune-jinja Shrine

Kifune-jinja in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto is the headquarters for around 500 other Kifune shrines located across the country. Built some 1,600 years ago, the shrine takes pride in its long history and prestige. Legend has it that the goddess Tamayori-hime appeared on a yellow boat in Osaka Bay and said, "Build a sanctuary at the place where this boat stops and deify the spirit of the locality, and the country will prosper." The boat floated up the rivers of the Yodo-gawa to the Kamo-gawa, stopping at the head of the stream. The deities enshrined here are Takaokami-no-Kami and Kuraokami-no-Kami. They are believed to be the gods of water, and people pray to them for rain during times of drought, and to stop rain during floods. A certain emperor dedicated a black horse in a drought, and a white horse during a prolonged spell of rain. This is why people now offer up votive plates with the image of a horse which are called "ema" (literally "picture horses").

Kinkaku-ji Temple

Kinkaku-ji is one of Kyoto's leading temples. Its formal name is Rokuon-ji. It was built at the end of the 14th century originally as a villa for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the shogun at the time. After Yoshimitsu's death, as indicated in his will, the building was converted into a temple of the Zen sect of Buddhism, which is famous for the practice of zazen, or religious meditation (a major method of Buddhist training, and method of meditation for establishing one's foundation in Zen Buddhism). The shining golden Kinkaku ("Golden Pavilion") is a symbol of Kyoto. This temple has been burnt down many times in the flames of war and other conflagrations, and more recently by arson, which incident has been made famous by Yukio Mishima's nove, Kinkakuji (The Temple of the Golden Pavilion). However, it was restored in 1955, with major improvement work being done on it in 1987, so that all of the gold leaf has been replaced. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage, Kinkaku-ji is one of the historical buildings most representative of Japan.

Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine

Kitano Tenman-gu exercises control over the Tenman-gu shrines all over Japan. These enshrine Sugawara Michizane, who has been worshipped in Japan since ancient times as the god or patron saint of scholarship. During the season of college and university entrance examinations, the shrine is always crowded with people praying that they will pass their exams. Chu-mon (the gate located between Nandai-mon and the main buildings), also called Sanko-mon, is designated by the national government as an Important Cultural Property. The front shrine inside the precinct, which is the building used by pilgrim to the shrine, as well as the main structure, which enshrines the deity, and the Ishi-no-Ma, were built in the 17th century. All are designated as National Treasures. Many of the other buildings of the shrine are designated as Important Cultural Properties. Cultural properties housed in these buildings are displayed to the public during the festivals held here once a month. With the many plum trees which grow in the garden, the shrine is famous as a place for viewing plum blossoms.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most famous temples in Kyoto and was built at the end of the 8th century. The main hall was constructed in the 17th century, and is famous for its location overhanging a cliff. The platform of the main hall, which is supported by 139 giant pillars, affords a spectacular view of the town of Kyoto. It is designated a National Treasure. The three-storied pagoda in the temple precinct, which was rebuilt during the 17th century, is designated by the national government as an Important Cultural Property. The expansive site, with an area of 130,000 sq m, contains many Important Cultural Properties, including buildings and Buddhist images. Along the ravine to the south of the main hall grow cherry and maple trees. This site is known for its cherry blossoms in the spring, and its red leaves during the fall.

Koryu-ji Temple

Koryu-ji is ancient temple that was established in the first part of the 7th century. The temple houses ancient Buddhist statues, including the Miroku-Bosatsu-zo (a Bodhisattva who is supposed to appear in the future world as the successor of the Buddha) which was the first designated National Treasure. The Ko-do, the hall in which the priests read the Buddhist scriptures, is from the 12th century, while other structures were rebuilt in the 17th century. The Ko-do, which is the oldest building of this temple, has beautiful vermilion pillars. It is designated by the national government as an Important Cultural Property. Enshrined in this building is the seated figure of the Amida-Nyorai Buddha, who presides over paradise. This Amida-Nyorai Buddha is a National Treasure. Next to this are a Buddha who is believed to save people from suffering after the death of the Buddha, a seated figure of the Jizo-Bosatsu (the loftiest Buddha of the Mikkyo sect), the Buddha who stays at the side of the Dainichi-Nyorai Buddha, and a seated figure of the Kokuzo-Bosatsu. All of these are designated by the national government as Important Cultural Properties. Housed in the Reiho-den, a hall containing treasures of the temple precinct, are many ancient Buddhist images, including the Miroku-Bosatsu, paintings, writings, and ancient documents, all of which are designated as either National Treasures or cultural properties.

Kozan-ji Temple

Kozan-ji is an ancient temple said to have been established in the 8th century. It is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage. The temple was restored in the 12th century by the high priest Myoe. At that time, the residence of a member of the Imperial family was moved here as Sekisui-in, which is designated as a National Treasure. In the spacious precinct of Kozan-ji is the Butto (a pagoda built for the purpose of Buddhist worship), designated as an Important Cultural Property. The precinct also contains the oldest tea field in Japan, which is believed to have been first planted by Myoe. Among the treasures housed here is the Choju-Jinbutsu-giga, a set of four picture scrolls (a form of ancient Japanese scroll painting) dating from around the 10th and 11th centuries. This set of picture scrolls is designated as a National Treasure. The original is currently stored in Tokyo National Museum. On exhibit at Sekisui-in are precise replicas of the original.

Kyoo-Gokoku-ji Temple (To-ji Temple)

Kyoo-Gokoku-ji, located near Kyoto Station, is a temple of the Shingon Mikkyo sect of Buddhism. This temple was established in the 8th century. Located in the temple precinct are many buildings, including the five-storied pagoda, which is 53 m tall and a symbol of this temple. The treasury contains many National Treasures and cultural properties. Although the temple has been destroyed by fire and restored many times, the layout of this temple, whereby the buildings -- including the Nandai-mon (gate) at the entranceway, the Kon-do in which the priests read the Buddhist scriptures, and the Jiki-do where they have their meals -- are arranged in a straight line, just as they were at the time that the temple was first established. In the building where the Buddhist scriptures are read is a row of 21 standing Mandala images. Since the high priest Kobo Daishi (Kukai), who was the founder of To-ji, died on the 21st day of the month, a Buddhist memorial service for the dead (called a "hoyo") is performed here on the 21st of every month. Held on the same day in the temple precinct is the Kobo-ichi, a marketplace that has a history of almost 500 years. Used items and clothing are sold at this outdoor market.

Nanzen-ji Temple

The great temple of Nanzen-ji was converted from a residence of the Emperor at the end of the 13th century. It was destroyed by fire during subsequent internal disturbances, but was rebuilt in the first part of the Edo Period. The gate at the entrance to the temple, which reaches a height of 22 m., was rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century. The chamber of the residence of the chief priest of this temple was built at the end of the 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was the supreme ruler of Japan at the time. The architectural style of this residence is called Shinden-zukuri. The 124 paintings on the sliding screen doors inside the residence are of the Kano-school of Japanese painting, and designated by the national government as Important Cultural Properties. The garden, which is adjacent to the residence of the chief priest, is of the Karesansui-style ( a garden of only stones and white sand).

Ninna-ji Temple

The temple of Ninna-ji was built at the end of the 9th century. At first it was Monseki-jiin, which also served as the residence of a member of the Imperial family who had entered the priesthood. Presently, this temple is the center of the Omuro sect of Shingon Buddhism. Although much of it was destroyed by fire in the internal strife of the 15th century, it was rebuilt at the beginning of the 17th century with buildings moved here from the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, the residence of the Emperor. The buildings moved here from the Imperial Palace include the Kon-do, a hall designated as a National Treasure, and the Mikage-do, a hall designated as an Important Cultural Property. Other important Cultural Properties designated by the national government include the Nio-mon (a gate with Buddhist images on either side) and the five-storied pagoda. The Reiho-kan, a building housing treasures, contains such cultural properties as sculptures, paintings, and ancient documents. Also housed here is the seated figure of the Amida-Nyorai Buddha, who presides over paradise (the beautiful place to which, according to Buddhist belief, people go after they die), which is the focus of the religious worship at the temple. The temple is also famous as a place for viewing cherry blossoms during the spring.

Nishi Hongan-ji Temple

Nishi Hongan-ji is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect of Buddhism. It is believed that this temple originated with the construction of the mausoleum that contained the grave of the high priest Shinran, who was the founder of this temple. It was moved to its present location by the hegemon Toyotomi Hideyoshi, ruler of Japan at the end of the 16th century. When the main hall, enshrining the Buddha, was destroyed by fire during the first part of the 17th century, structures with which Hideyoshi had a close connection were moved here from Fushimi Castle, where Hideyoshi lived, resulting in the present temple. Enshrined in the Mikage-do, which is designated by the national government as an Important Cultural Property, is an image of Shinran, which is supposed to have been coated with lacquer mixed with Shinran's ashes. The shoin (a sitting room also used for study purposes), with its gorgeously decorated ceiling and walls, and Japan's oldest Noh s