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
Ginkakuji Temple / Silver Pavilion
Located in the northern end of the Path of Philosophy, Ashikaga 8th built his retirement villa on the grounds of today’s temple, modeling it after Golden Pavilion, his grandfather’s retirement villa on the other side of town. The villa was converted to a Zen temple after his death in 1490. Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion is simply a nickname to distinguish it from Golden Pavilion.
A sand garden called the sea of silver sand is one of the main elements to the temple grounds. A mount of sand representing Mount. Fuji really stands out within the natural setting. The pond is smaller than Kinkakuji temple, but the grounds have much more vegetation allowing the visitor to feel closer to nature. The area around Ginkakuji has some amazing mosses. The temple and its gardens are considered one of the best examples of Wabi-sabi.
【Information】
Address:
339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ku, Kyoto, 603-8047
Access:
・A short walk from “Kamigamojinja mae” Bus Stop on the City Bus #4 at Kyoto Sta.
・15-minute walk from “Kitayama” Sta. on the Subway Karasuma Line
Time:
5:30~16:00 (Nino Torii）
8:00~15:45 (Romon Gate）
Admission Fee:
General Admission is free.
＜National Treasure Observation＞
500 yen（Older than 13-year old）
Kiyomizu Temple
Kiyomizu temple, formally Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera, is a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto and is one of the city’s most popular temples. The temple was first built in 778 and then the Shogun of the early Heian period developed infrastructure as a temple. The temple has attracted pilgrims since then.
The main hall, which houses a 11-headed Kannon figure, has a huge verandah that justs out over the hillside, supported by 139, 15 miter -high wooden pillars. Beneath the main hall is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of a waterfall into a pond. Visitors drink the sacred water believed to bestow health and long life.
Kiyomizu temple affords visitors a nice view of the numerous cherry and maple trees and the city.
【Information】
Address:
1-294, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto, 605-0862
Access:
・A 10-minute walk from “Gojozaka” Bus Stop on the City Bus #206,100 at Kyoto Sta.
Time:
6:00~18:00
＊The closing time changes depending on the season.
Admission Fee:
400 yen（Older than 15-year old）200円（6-15 years old）
