Ryoanji Temple and Kinkakuji Temple
These temples are located close to each other in an area to the north west of Kyoto city centre. The Ryoanji Temple contains a very famous Zen garden designed for contemplation and consisting of raked sand interrupted by 15 rocks. The Kinkakuji Temple is also known as the Golden Pavilion, as the pavilion's exterior is covered in a thick layer of gold leaf.
Ryoanji Temple
13 Goryonoshita-cho, Ryoan-ji, Ukyo-ku
Tel: (075) 463 2216.
Admission charge.
Kinkakuji Temple
1 Kinkaku-ji-cho, Kita-ku
Tel: (075) 461 0013 (Japanese only).
Website: www.shokoku-ji.or.jp
Admission charge.
Heian Shrine
A scaled-down replica of the first Imperial Palace in Kyoto, this shrine is still pretty imposing, if perhaps not very inspiring. It was constructed in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of the city. The real attraction for the tourist is the garden to the rear of the shrine. It is beautifully laid out with a lake in the middle, a footpath with several footbridges crossing the lake, and a wide variety of plants and trees along the way.
Nishi Tennocho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku
Tel: (075) 761 0221.
Website: www.heianjingu.or.jp
Admission charge (for access to the garden).
These temples are located close to each other in an area to the north west of Kyoto city centre. The Ryoanji Temple contains a very famous Zen garden designed for contemplation and consisting of raked sand interrupted by 15 rocks. The Kinkakuji Temple is also known as the Golden Pavilion, as the pavilion's exterior is covered in a thick layer of gold leaf.
Ryoanji Temple
13 Goryonoshita-cho, Ryoan-ji, Ukyo-ku
Tel: (075) 463 2216.
Admission charge.
Kinkakuji Temple
1 Kinkaku-ji-cho, Kita-ku
Tel: (075) 461 0013 (Japanese only).
Website: www.shokoku-ji.or.jp
Admission charge.
Heian Shrine
A scaled-down replica of the first Imperial Palace in Kyoto, this shrine is still pretty imposing, if perhaps not very inspiring. It was constructed in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of the city. The real attraction for the tourist is the garden to the rear of the shrine. It is beautifully laid out with a lake in the middle, a footpath with several footbridges crossing the lake, and a wide variety of plants and trees along the way.
Nishi Tennocho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku
Tel: (075) 761 0221.
Website: www.heianjingu.or.jp
Admission charge (for access to the garden).