Sightseeing in Kyoto - what to see. Complete travel guide

Until 1868 Kyoto was the residence of the emperor, the capital and the spiritual center of Japan. On the territory of the city are located 17 ancient temples, large number of historical monuments, many of which are under the patronage of UNESCO.

Buddhism has made a crucial impact on the formation of the architectural style of the country. Even nowadays Buddhist temples amaze visitors by their unusual shape. Wood acted as the main material in the building. No other decorations were used in the building. Chinese and Korean masters managed to create true masterpieces from bricks of wood. Wood carving rich in details was the main decoration of such temples. In order to make it, masters had to work for many hours. In some temples all metal details are covered with gilding, making the atmosphere even more elegant and grandiose.

You can find out much new and get acquainted with works of famous artists during your excursion to Ginkakuji or Silver Pavillion. The building, in which is located the main art museum, was built in 1489. The pavilion stands on the shore of the beautiful lake. The inner decoration of the temple is divided from the magnificent nature by a moving wall. When the walls are slid apart the border between the rich inner décor of the pavilion and grandiose nature landscapes disappears. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

One more traditional sight of this region that is usual for ancient Japanese towns is stone garden. The most famous stone garden is located in Ryoanji monastery. On a square area covered with gravel are located big stones. Every viewer has own impression after observing this panorama. Some people say the stones resemble mountain hills covered with mist, while others see the archipelago of islands surrounded by endless ocean.

The greatest Buddhist monument is the temple of Kinkaku-ji. It is known under the unofficial name Golden Temple by many tourists. The walls and roof of this temple are covered with sheets of pure gold. At any time of the year, it looks simply unrepeatable against the backdrop of the surrounding landscapes. The temple was built at the end of the 14th century, and is known for hosting the last years of the life of the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. In 1950, the building was badly damaged by a fire. The fire was arranged by one of the local monks. The full restoration of the beautiful temple took more than 30 years.

Another unique attraction is the Railway Station of Kyoto. A walk along it will be interesting even for those who do not plan to travel by train. The building of the station was restored quite recently and is a spectacular monument in a futuristic style. Inside the building, a lot of interesting things await tourists. There are shops and cafes, including very interesting souvenir shops. In the building of the station, there are also beautiful recreation areas with exotic plants everywhere.

Of national significance is the Nijo Castle. Its construction began in 1603. It was erected as the official residence of the Tokugawa dynasty. This castle is one of the most luxurious in Japan. It has almost completely preserved the original facade decoration, and in the castle's interior, are hidden unique historical relics. Visit to the castle is available to tourists all year round, but most travelers prefer to visit it in summer. The castle is located on the territory of a large picturesque garden, on which it is especially interesting to stroll in spring or summer.

The world-famous Sagano Bamboo Forest is located in Kyoto. In it among the thickets bamboo, which literally hide the sky, special walking paths and bridges were equipped. On the reserve, night excursions are organized. In the dark, its territory is decorated with spectacular lighting. Near the forest is a small market, where tourists are offered interesting crafts made of bamboo for sale.

There are many interesting museums in Kyoto. One of the most unusual is the Asukoyama Museum. Its main exhibits are archaeological finds, which were discovered by researchers directly in the city and in other areas of Japan.