The oldest city in Japan, Kyoto, is a great tourist destination for exploring ancient and modern Japan.
Kyoto is surrounded by the hills of central Honshu. Apart from the scenic beauty, it is also considered the educational hub of Japan. There are numerous globally acclaimed universities and educational establishments in Kyoto. It also represents ancient Japanese culture, as Kyoto is among such cities that escaped the devastating nuclear attack in the second world war. If you want to visit Japan, you should also visit Kyoto once. So, without further delay, let’s find out the major tourist attractions in Kyoto.
Nijo Castle, a fascinating building:
Nijo Castle was built in 1603 which later served as the seat of government. It is a well-preserved complex with several buildings containing many brilliant works of art. The major attractions of this building are the castle's East Gate, which is the main entrance, the inner gate, or Karamon, which is famous for its fine carvings and well-decorated metalwork. The big gardens inside the building are also a must-see. Another area is theMikuruma-yose that is fun to explore.The most fascinating part of the building is Ninomaru Palace. It consists of five distinguished buildings connected by corridors.Theinteriors are exquisitely decorated with various paintings by Kano Tanyu and his students. There is a large audience hall that attracts tourists.
Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine, a must-visit shrine in Kyoto:
It is one of the most famous shrines in Japan.This is amust-visit shrine in Kyoto. It wasfounded in AD 711. This shrine is dedicated to the “goddess of rice-growing”, “Ukanomitama-no-mikoto”. Tourists visit this place to pray for prosperity. The best time to visit this shrine is at night. You will be rewarded with beautiful glimpsesof wonderfully illuminated shrines. This is also a heritage site in Japan.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the world heritage site:
This temple is located in the east part of Kyoto. This is among the prestigious list of important “UNESCO World Heritage Site”. The visitors enjoy the delightful stroll around the temple and take a sip of teaat the old-fashioned“Tea-pot Lane” along with the craft stores and small shops.This stunning temple was founded in 790AD. It was dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, the 11-headed Kannon.This temple is situated on the rocky outcrop, above the Otowa Waterfall. The big terrace of the main hall holds the major tourist attraction.
The “Kyoto National Museum” and “Municipal Museum of Art” to explore Asian art:
Besides various temples, Kyoto hosts an impressive collection of museums and galleries. The best known among them is the “Kyoto National Museum”, which was established in 1897.This museum focused on pre-modern Asian art predominantly.
So, start your packing to explore Kyoto extensively. Bon Voyage!
