| Kyoto is perhaps the one place that every visitor to | | | | Complete your walk at Ginkaku-ji, temple of the |
| Japan should experience. However, it can take a long | | | | silver pavilion. The pavilion was never painted silver |
| time to tease out all the secrets Kyoto has to offer, | | | | likes its more famous golden cousin (see below) but |
| time the typical visitor doesn't have. Its understated | | | | it boasts one the most beautiful tea gardens in all of |
| beauty lies in the glimpse of a geisha as she flirts | | | | Kyoto and should not be missed. |
| around a corner, the hidden alleyway sheltering a 400 | | | | Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji Temples |
| year old noodle house, or the tiny garden hidden | | | | No visit would be complete without a visit to two of |
| from view but tended to as honestly as a member | | | | the most famous and eagerly photographed temples |
| of the family. | | | | in Kyoto. However, as they are popular it's best to |
| This guide lists my favorite places that can be | | | | visit these temples, located near each other in |
| experienced in any two day trip. | | | | Northwest Kyoto, in the morning before the crowds |
| Walk Through Higashiyama | | | | set in. Kinkaku-ji with its golden pavilion stands in |
| The bastion of cultural heritage, Higashiyama (literally | | | | stark contrast to the zen temple Ryoan-ji with its |
| "Eastern Mountains") has maintained the feeling of old | | | | austere 15 rock garden. Both offer a glimpse into the |
| Kyoto with its massive temples, narrow alleyways, | | | | ostentatious and more spiritual side of Japanese |
| quite gardens and tiled wooden houses. Begin your | | | | Buddhism. |
| walk from Kyomizu-dera where you will be rewarded | | | | Arashiyama |
| with a stunning view of Kyoto from the main | | | | Located in the Western mountains of Kyoto this |
| veranda supported by hundreds of pillars. | | | | beautiful little town burns red during Autumn. The |
| Continue your walk north and take a tea or coffee | | | | peaceful temple Tenryu-ji is worth a visit. Exit by the |
| break in the traditional neighborhood of Sannen-Zaka. | | | | north gate to wander through the amazingly green |
| Eventually you'll end up in Gion, the famous | | | | bamboo forest. This is the most beautiful part of the |
| entertainment and geisha district. Remember this area | | | | area so walk slowly and enjoy it. |
| as you'll want to come back in the early evening for | | | | Fushimi Inari Taisha |
| your best chance of catching a glimpse of a geisha | | | | Featured in a magical scene from Memoirs of a |
| or maiko (apprentice geisha). | | | | Geisha, this mystical hillside Shinto shrine is simply |
| The northern section of Higashiyama starts from | | | | amazing. Dedicated to the god of business and rice, |
| Kaege Station on the Tozai subway line. Stop by the | | | | Inari, over 10,000 red tori gates line the paths |
| massive Nanzen-ji, with its multitude of sub-temples | | | | transporting any visitor into another world. The shrine |
| and enormous gate. Continue walking north and | | | | is just a 5 minute train ride from Kyoto station on |
| explore the various temples and shrines you find | | | | the JR Nara line. |
| along the way. With over 2,000 you are sure to find | | | | There are of course thousands of other things to do |
| a hidden gem no one else is visiting. Pass through the | | | | and see in Kyoto, including some amazing food and |
| Tetsugaku-no-michi (path of philosophy), a pedestrian | | | | drink. Strike off the main path as much as possible |
| path along a canal lined with cherry blossom trees. | | | | and discover your own secret areas of the city. |