Kyoto is a beautiful city located in the central part of the island of Honshu. Annually, it receives over 30 million tourists. A large number of temples, shrines and historical sites still survive in this beautiful city. As there are many places to visit and popular attractions in Kyoto, you need to plan your trip to enjoy all the attractions. Some renowned attractions in Kyoto are listed below:

Kiyomizu-dera temple:

It is a Buddhist temple located in eastern Kyoto. It is one of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Each year, around 4 million visitors visit Kiyomizu-dera temple. You can also find Otowa waterfall beneath the main hall which runs off the nearby hills. Usually, visitors catch and drink the water for health and longevity. The temple complex comprises of many shrines including Jishu shrine.

Gion district:

Do you want to witness old-style geisha houses and traditional tea houses? Visit Gion district which is home to several traditional tea houses and geisha houses. In the evenings, you can still see Geisha walking in the streets of Gion. Annual public dances are also performed by geiko and maiko of Gion. Within the tea houses, you can find plenty of evening entertainments including traditional Japanese music, singing and dancing. As millions of tourists visit Gion each year, now many modern entertainment establishments are available in this district to satisfy the expectation of tourists.

Heian-jingu shrine:

Heian-jingu shrine is a Shinto shrine that has colorful Japanese-style garden and beautiful halls. It depicts the beauty of Heian period architecture and is also listed as an important cultural property of Japan.

Byodoin Temple:

Byodoin is a Buddhist temple that is a replica of a 900-year-old Buddhist place of worship at Uji. It is located on the island of O’ahu in Hawai’i at the Valley of the Temples. Inside the temple, you can see a 9-foot wooden Buddha which is covered in gold and lacquer. Large koi ponds and Japanese gardens surround the temple and offer a peaceful atmosphere to relax and witness the beauty of traditional architecture. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

Ginkaku-ji temple:

Ginkaku-ji also known as the temple of the Silver Pavilion is a Zen temple. It was built in the style of the Golden Pavilion and its construction portrays the Higashiyama Culture of Muromachi period. It has some of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Kyoto. It is also designated as special place of scenic beauty and is part of Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.