We have been introducing the series of the list of Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We hope the information will help you enjoy your trip.
Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Here, we’ve ordered all of Kyoto’s 17 World Heritage Sites in order of how easy to access each one is. Of course, this is a highly subjective list, but it’s based on several even dozens of visits to each one.
The list of Seventeen Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Byodoin Temple
Ujigami Shrine
Daigoji Temple
Nijo Castle
Nishi Hongaji Temple
Toji Temple
Saihoji Temple
Tenryuji Temple
Kosanji Temple
Ninnaji Temple
Ryoanji Temple
Kinkakuji Temple
Kamigamo Shrine
Shimogammo
Hieizan Enryakuji Temple
Ginkakuji Temple
Kiyomizu Temple
Nin’naji Temple
Nin’naji Temple is the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect of Buddhism and was founded in 888 by the reigning emperor. This temple is mainly for a residence for the royal family of priests so they invited the VIPs there.
Over 1,000 years, a member of the Imperial Family used to serve as its priest, which makes the temple a prestigious temple in Japan. The chrysanthemum crest, the authority of the Kamon of the imperial family, and the cherry blossoms crest, the authority of the Kamon of the Ninnaji are seen everywhere in Ninnaji. Built in the style of an imperial palace, you can experience the landscape of Kyoto in the 9-10 century.
【Information】
Address:
33 Omuroouchi, Ukyo Ku, Kyoto 616-8092
Access:
・A short walk from “Arashiyama Tenryuji mae” Bus Stop on the City Bus #11,28,93 at Kyoto Sta.
Time:
9:00~16:30 (March to November）
9:00~16:00 (December to February）
Admission Fee:
＜Palace & Gardens＞
500 yen（Older than 15-year old）300円（6-15 years old）
＜Reiho-kan Museum＞
500 yen（Older than 18-year old）300円（12-17 years old）
*Admission limited to April – May, and Oct. – Nov.
Ryoanji Temple
Ryoanji Temple belongs to the Myoshinji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism in 1450. The temple is famous for its dry- landscape, the Rock Garden of Ryoanji, and it is designated as a special scenic beauty. Placed within the garden are fifteen stones of different sizes, carefully composed in five groups; one group of five stones, two groups of three, and two groups of two stones. Interpretations are left up to each viewer. Interestingly, though the garden is so popular and famous, the facts are less certain. No one knows when the garden was constructed, who made, and the meaning of the garden. Some said that the garden represents the common theme of a tiger carrying cubs across a river, while others claim that the zen concept like infinity. An interesting feature of the garden’s design is that from any vantage point at least one of the rocks is always hidden from the viewer.
【Information】
Address:
33 Omuroouchi, Ukyo Ku, Kyoto 616-8092
Access:
・A short walk from “Arashiyama Tenryuji mae” Bus Stop on the City Bus #11,28,93 at Kyoto Sta.
Time:
9:00~16:30 (March to November）
9:00~16:00 (December to February）
Admission Fee:
＜Palace & Gardens＞
500 yen（Older than 15-year old）300円（6-15 years old）
Kinkakuji Temple
The Golden Pavilion Temple, also called Kinkakuji in Japanese, was built in 1397. It was initially made to serve as a villa for retirement for Shogun Ashikaga. It was quite later that his son converted the building into a Zen temple according to his will. Even though the Kinkakuji Temple was burned down in 1950 when a monk set fire to the temple, it is the attracting building to remain the extravagant Kitayama culture that developed in the wealthy aristocratic circles of Kyoto at that time. The golden temple is surrounded by a beautiful garden with a pond in the front called the Mirror Pond, which is designated as a National Scenic beauty.
【Information】
Address:
1 Kinkakuji Cho, Kita Ku, Kyoto, 603-8361
Access:
・A short walk from “Kinkakuji-do” Bus Stop on the City Bus #12,59,205, M1, 101,102, 111, MN205 at Kyoto Sta.
Time:
9:00~17:00
Admission Fee:
400 yen（Older than 15-year old）300円（6-15 years old）
Do you need more information?
You should receive such local information of Kyoto by an application “KoI APP”.
With this application, even if you don’t have Wi-Fi, you can find nearby stores and so on.
You can install the application from the following URL.
