Kyoto offers travelers to Japan an interesting alternative to Tokyo. This beautiful city is a mix of the modern and the old, with many reminders of the past of this city and its place as the cultural heart of the country. The main residence of the Japanese emperor was in Kyoto from the 8th to the 19th century, when he moved to the current capital, Tokyo. There is a lot to see here as, unlike other cities, Kyoto was undamaged during WWII.

Kyoto is a true experience of unique history and culture. In order to see it all, you will need to have enough time to visit as many of its attractions as you can. If you can only visit for a short period of time, decide which places you want to visit the most, rather than trying to get through them all quickly.

There are many temples in Kyoto that offer insight into the varied nature of Japanese culture. They are also historically and architecturally interesting. You will find that many of Kyoto’s recommended tourist attractions will be temples of some kind.

The two prominent religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shinto; each has its own temples. The most impressive Buddhist temple in Kyoto is the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. The two highest floors are lined with gold leaf, which is reflected in the pool below, connecting the heavens above with the earth below. The importance of this temple for Buddhists comes from the shrine it contains, which contains relics from the life of the Buddha.

The nearby Silver Pavilion, or Ginkakuji, was intended to be a complement to the Golden Temple, with a contrasting covering of silver leaf, but this plan was never carried out. Therefore, the Silver Temple is much simpler than its neighbor, although it has its own simpler charm. Here are two peaceful gardens; one with a pond surrounded by a rockery, where you are supposed to move and experience the changes in perspective that occur; and another where the sand has been sculpted in meditative patterns, creating a very calm atmosphere. Both are perfect antidotes to travel stress and jet lag.

Another Buddhist temple that is definitely worth visiting is the Pure Water Temple (Kiyomizudera). This world-famous temple is recognized by UNESCO for its unique value and has been named a World Heritage Site. It has been around since the 8th century when it was founded by one of the oldest Buddhist sects in Japan. It overlooks the city of Kyoto from a nearby hill, surrounded by forests. The view of Kyoto from the temple terrace is breathtaking! Here there is also a beautiful fresh spring from which the waters are believed to have healing powers.

There are two Zen temples that make an interesting addition to the main Buddhist ones. The Heavenly Dragon Temple (Tenryuji) was once the residence of an Emperor. When Go Daigo died, his home became this temple in memory of him. The name was chosen when a priest dozing nearby dreamed that a dragon appeared from the river. When he awoke, he concluded that this was a sign that the Emperor’s spirit had not found peace in death, and that the temple should be placed there to appease the restless spirit. The current building was constructed just a century ago, after the eighth in a series of unfortunate fires damaged the various incarnations of the temple. However, the gardens date back to the 14th century and offer a peaceful space for a leisurely stroll.

The second temple, and a world heritage site, is called the Temple of the Pacific Dragon (Ryoanji). The Zen garden here is the best example of its kind that you will see. There are carefully placed rocks and sand grooves that have been raked in precise patterns, creating a haven of calm within the simple clay walls.

The Shinto religion is more unique to Japanese culture than Buddhist, although the temples here give an impression of a Buddhism shaped by Japanese minds. Two of the local Shinto temples offer interesting excursions in Kyoto. The first is the Fushimi Inari, dedicated to the god of rice. If you visit, keep an eye out for the many fox-shaped ornaments. These were traditionally Inari’s animal messengers. The sanctuary is beautiful and peaceful; particularly in the evening light. The most impressive feature of this temple are the various spectacular gates or bulls that surround it.

Even more examples of these gates are found in the local Second Shinto Temple. Heian Jungu is a 19th century temple dedicated to two Japanese emperors, Kammu and Komei. It was built to commemorate 1,100 years since the founding of the city. At the end of every October, the Jidai Matsuri festival is held here. Thousands of people parade and celebrate the day Kyoto became the capital of Japan, even though it no longer has this honor.

There are also some interesting places to visit if you don’t like temples. The Imperial Palace is a spectacular building complex with many beautiful gardens and interesting architectural features. The current palace was built in the 18th century, like Tenryuji, it has also suffered several fires. Numerous emperors have also chosen to be crowned here in the Palace.

The Gion district is one of the most famous features in Kyoto. An exciting day can be spent wandering its charming streets, trying to see a geisha or maiko in traditional dress. Geisha are trained entertainers and not prostitutes, as is often believed. The area has been well preserved, so many of the buildings date back to the Middle Ages and there is a unique atmosphere that attracts most tourists.

Kyoto is also a busy modern city and offers great shopping, among other things. This gives those of you less interested in historical sights the opportunity to spend time searching for the latest fashion and technology.