Daitoku-ji
53 Murasakinodaitokujicho, Kita, Kyoto, 603-8231, Japan
Daitoku-ji is Kyoto's greatest temple that almost nobody visits.
Eikan-dō (Zenrin-ji)
48 Eikandocho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8445, Japan
Eikan-dō is where locals go when they want autumn leaves without the Kiyomizu-dera crowds.
Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo, Kyoto, 606-8402, Japan
Despite its name, the Silver Pavilion was never actually covered in silver.
Katsura Imperial Villa
Nishikyo, Nishikyo, Kyoto, Japan
Katsura Imperial Villa is considered by many architects to be the single most beautiful building in Japan, and possibly the most influential piece of architecture in the world.
Kenninji Temple
584 Komatsucho, Higashiyama, Kyoto, 605-0811, Japan
Kenninji is Kyoto's oldest Zen temple — founded in 1202 by the monk Eisai, who also introduced tea to Japan — and it sits right on the edge of Gion, hidden in plain sight while tourists walk past its walls on their way to spot geisha.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
1 Kinkakujicho, Kita, Kyoto, 603-8361, Japan
Kinkaku-ji is covered in actual gold leaf — the top two floors are sheathed in it — and its reflection in the mirror-still pond in front is one of the most photographed images in Japan.
Nijo Castle
541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo, Kyoto, 604-8301, Japan
Nijo Castle was built to intimidate, and 400 years later it's still working.
Ryōan-ji
Ukyo, Ukyo, Kyoto, Japan
Ryōan-ji has the most famous rock garden in the world, and nobody knows what it means.
Sanjūsangen-dō
657 Sanjusangendomawari, Higashiyama, Kyoto, 605-0941, Japan
Walking into Sanjūsangen-dō is one of the most overwhelming visual experiences in Japan.
Tenryū-ji
68 Sagatenryujisusukinobabacho, Ukyo, Kyoto, 616-8385, Japan
Tenryū-ji is the most important temple in Arashiyama and a UNESCO World Heritage site, but most visitors walk straight past it on their way to the bamboo grove without realising that the garden inside is one of the oldest and finest in Japan.
Tofuku-ji
15-778 Honmachi, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Tōfuku-ji is Kyoto's autumn temple.
Explore art in Kyoto
GPS-guided narration at every landmark. Tap a spot on the map, hear the story. Every fact verified.