Introduction
Kyoto is the cultured capital of Japan which is a magical place that is a perfect combination of culture and nature. The city is an unforgettable experience providing any visitor with its calm temples, gardens, and historic districts. Being your first trip or the experience of a regular tourist, these are the most beautiful places in Kyoto that explore the heart of Japan.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
The torii gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha are part of what makes any visit to Kyoto. It is a Shinto shrine which is dedicated to a god of rice and agriculture and thousands of vermilion gates wind all through the forested mountains of Mount Inari.
These gates create a very beautiful tunnel which has been a delight of photographers, religious pilgrims as well as nature enthusiasts. You will also come across smaller shrines on your way to the top of the trails and have a wide view of Kyoto. Morning or late afternoon is the best time, with less light and less people. Fushimi Inari is one of the most beautiful sights of Kyoto. The place where the spirituality and the beauty of nature come together.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is an out-of-world location. You can taste the wind creeping through tall swinging green bamboo stalks and the rattle sound is instrumental. This beautiful path lies towards the foot of the Arashiyama mountains on the western corner of Kyoto.
The grove is reachable and it is good place to have a walk or reflect. Tour it during the morning hours when there are no crowds. The gentle light, passing through the bamboo forms a light which gives the entire place a magical appearance.
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
Out of the most beautiful places in kyoto, the Golden Pavilion or Kinkaku-ji is a religious center with the top and middle levels fully covered on the outside with gold leaf. The temple is located at the edge of a quiet pond which is reflected in the still waters and dotted with well-kept gardens.
Completely constructed during the 14th century, Kinkaku-ji reflects the excessiveness of Muromachi period. Although it was reconstructed following a fire in 1950, it still has the historical elegance and is one of the most touristic sites in Kyoto.
Its spectacular symmetry and golden radiance is a snap to put on the list of most beautiful spots in Kyoto. Whichever the season, cherry blossoms of the spring or snowy land of the winter, the golden Pavilion shines.
Kyoto Botanical Gardens
You must visit the Kyoto Botanical Gardens if you love plants or even enjoy relaxing walks around beautiful scenery. It is a 240,000 square meter garden open since 1924 and boasts of more than 12,000 species of plants located in different parts of the world. There are colourful flower beds, pools, and thematic gardens symbolizing various plant ecosystems. Spring can be highlighted with cherry flowers and summer, with roses, autumn, with vivid foliage.
Kyoto Botanical Gardens also features a big conservatory and tropical and subtropical plants on marvelously crafted and designed green houses. It is a perfect retreat of a family, a couple, and a single traveler who would like to relax and reconnect with nature. This oasis of botany is certainly one of the most scenic and serene spots in Kyoto. It represents serenity and beauty throughout the year.
Philosopher’s Path
The Philosopher trail is a lovely pathway. It eads through a canal lined with cherry trees between Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) and Nanzen-ji Temple. The trail is very peaceful. Hence the reason why it is named after Nishida Kitaro, a renowned philosopher of Kyoto who meditated along this route.
It is a two kilometre-long trail which is particularly beautiful in the cherry blossom season. On your way, there will be tiny coffee shops, craft stores, and shrines hidden among the trees, and they make the trip look even more attractive.
For visitors who are interested in knowing the most beautiful spots in Kyoto, this Philosopher Path has a natural beauty combined with philosophical calmness that can hardly be compensated by any other spot.
Decision: The beauty of Kyoto will never be old fashioned
The glittering reflections of Kinkaku-ji to the tranquil trails of Arashiyama and the floral delights of the Kyoto Botanical Gardens. The city is filled with an unbelievable scope of adventures. The history is everywhere in Kyoto, the tradition, the nature and time. When visiting Japan, do not miss these most beautiful places in Kyoto. You will not only have photo material, but unforgettable memories of the place where beauty touches the soul.