Southern Higashiyama
The Kyoto National Museum is the best museum in Kyoto. The permanent collection is mediocre and indifferently displayed, but the special exhibits regularly. Opening hours: 9.30am-6pm, last entry 5:30pm 9:30am-8pm, last entry 7:30pm Friday Closed Monday & the following Tuesday when Monday is a national holiday
Kodai-ji Temple is one of the finest temples in the Southern Higashiyama Area. It is also represents the confluence of some of Japan’s greatest artistic and cultural traditions. Opening hours: 9am-5:30pm, last entry 5:00pm
Another one of the overlooked gem in Southern Higashiyama, Entoku-in Temple is a delightful collection of priceless art treasures and a stunning karesansui (dry stone) garden Opening hours: 9am-5:30pm, last entry 5:00pm
A long pagoda rising overlooking the floating world of Gion below, Yasaka-no-to Pagoda is a lovely sight by day or night. Opening hours: 10am-4pm Closed irregularly
Formerly a retreat for the abbot of the Tendai School of Buddhish, Shoreh-in is an intimate little temple perfectly situated against the green of the Higashiyama Mountains. It was originally built as a residence rather than a religious building, the place looks more like a villa than a temple. Opening hours: 9am-5pm, last entry 4:30pm
Nene-no-Michi Lane is a wonderful flagstone walkway that links some of the most important sights in the Southern Higashiyama area.
The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto, Kennin-ji Temple is an oasis of calm on the edge of Gion with a superb Zen garden. Opening hours: 10am-5pm, last entry 4:30pm March-October 10am-4:30pm, last entry 4pm November-February Closed Dec 28-31
Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district, where geisha, gangsters and gawkers prowl, is one of the most interesting places for an after-dinner stroll.
One of the most and popular temples in the city. Opening hours: 9am-4:30pm, last entry 4pm
Southern Higashiyama is one the most important sightseeing district in Kyoto. It has everything from dazzling temples, to preserved lanes, to the city’s main geisha district. Make sure you don’t miss it!
The Southern Higashiyama runs along the base of the Higashiyama (Eastern Mountains) from Shichijo-dori in the south to Sanjo-dori in the north. The mountains form its eastern boundary and the Kamo-gawa forms its western boundary. At it’s northwestern end, you’ll find Gion, the city’s traditional geisha district
Places to See and Do
Places to See and Do
Yagura is a simple but tasty soba specialist that makes a great lunch stop while exploring Gion. Opening hours: 11:30am-9pm Closed irregularly
The most atmospheric little tea house in Kyoto, we never pass this way without stopping in for a hot cup of matcha tea and a sweet. Opening hours: 11am-6pm Closed Tuesday
Kagizen Yoshifusa is a traditional sweet shop in the heart of Gion with a serene tea room where you can enjoy traditional sweets with cups of thick matcha tea.