Kyoto: Finding Cool Serenity in Summer Temple & Shrine Visits
Daitokuji Temple
There are many buildings, including the national treasure Hojo, which are usually closed to the public. If you want to see inside, it's best to visit during a special opening period.
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Guesthouse Kingyoya
This guesthouse is a warm atmosphere renovated from a traditional Kyoto townhouse, and offers affordable lodging. There are many tourist attractions nearby. There is free WiFi, air-conditioned rooms, a shared bathroom, and a garden. You can spend a relaxing time looking at the small garden. The interaction with the owner and other guests is also an attractive feature, and you will be able to deepen your travel memories. The homemade breakfast is also highly rated, and you can enjoy the taste of Kyoto that is good for your body and mind. The greatest charm of Kingyoya is that you can relax in a homely space as if you were in a Kyoto home. You will surely be captivated by this comfort.
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Matsuo Taisha Shrine
It is a charming shrine where you can experience history, nature, and the culture of sake. It is a short walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Line "Matsuo-Taisha Station", or from Kyoto City Bus "Matsuo-Taisha-mae" bus stop.
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The GrandWest Arashiyama
This sophisticated apartment-style hotel, consisting of only 10 suites, is nestled in Arashiyama, surrounded by beautiful nature. From the rooftop, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Arashiyama mountains, and in the summer, you can see Kyoto's traditional summer festival, the Gozan no Okuribi. A onsen(hot spring) facility is located a six-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel offers a variety of services, a high-quality space, and excellent hospitality, ensuring a special stay that will satisfy both body and mind. Toys and strollers are available for rent for small children, making it a recommended choice for families with children. Kimono rentals are also available, so strolling around Kyoto in a kimono or yukata will enhance your experience. Popular tourist destinations like Togetsukyo Bridge and the Bamboo Forest Path are also easily accessible. A five-minute walk from Hankyu Arashiyama Station makes sightseeing around Arashiyama easy.
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Byodoin Temple
Inside the Phoenix Hall, you can view the seated statue of Amida Buddha, murals, and door paintings, allowing you to feel the solemn atmosphere of the time. At the adjacent Hoshokan, you can view valuable cultural assets that have been removed from the Phoenix Hall. Another attraction is being able to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons while strolling through the gardens.
Take the train from Kyoto Station to Uji Station and walk for about 10 minutes. From Uji Station, you can walk along the quaint road along the Uji River to Byodoin Temple. Uji is also famous for its matcha green tea, so we recommend enjoying matcha sweets in the area.
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Kyoto Uji Hanayashiki Ukifune-en
This scenic, long-established Ryokan (Japanese inn) is located on the Uji River and the World Heritage Site Ujikami Shrine. All guest rooms overlook the Uji River, including the beautiful Tonoshima Island on the sandbar of the river. You can enjoy authentic Kyoto kaiseki cuisine while gazing at the Uji River, pleasing both your eyes and your palate. There is also a large public bath with an observation bath and sauna, which is sure to soothe both your body and mind. This inn is recommended for those who wish to spend a relaxing and luxurious time in a space where history and nature are alive. It is also close to Kyoto Station, making it convenient for sightseeing. Depending on the conditions, a shuttle service to the nearest Uji Station is also available.
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Nanzenji Temple
Although the dates are fixed, you can unify your mind through Zen meditation and sutra copying sessions. Reservations are required for group discussion sessions. You can also learn more about Kyoto culture by tasting delicious yudofu. We recommend Breathtaking view from Sanmon Gate and the view of Suirokaku, where the water from Lake Biwa Canal flows.
It is about a 10-minute walk from Keage Station on the Tozai Subway Line. If taking the city bus, it is close to the Nanzenji-Eikandomichi bus stop.
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Kyoto Nanzenji Ryokan Yachiyo
This is a long-established Japanese restaurant and Ryokan (Japanese inn) located within the grounds of Nanzenji Temple. There is a main building and an annex. The main building has guest rooms in the Sukiya style, and you can relax in a calm atmosphere by taking in the open-air bath while looking out at the beautiful garden. All rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi and Apple TV. The annex is recommended for those who want to travel with the family on a budget. You can enjoy beautiful Kyoto cuisine in the Japanese garden restaurant. Kaiseki cuisine for vegetarians is also available. You can spend a special time in a space that breathes history and culture. It is easily accessible to surrounding tourist spots, making it an ideal base for sightseeing in Kyoto. Ryokan (Japanese inn) is attractive for its sophisticated hospitality and extraordinary space.
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Enkoji Temple
It is easily accessible from Kyoto city buses and trains. Enkoji Temple, which has a history as a place of learning, is a temple where you can leisurely appreciate the beautiful gardens and historical cultural assets in a quiet and calm atmosphere.
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Heihachi Tea House Inn
This is a long-established Japanese restaurant and Ryokan (Japanese inn) with over 400 years of history. Surrounded by the lush nature of Rakuhoku, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of each season. The specialty "barley rice and grated yam soup" is a delicious delicacy that can only be tasted here. The tradition and formality that permeates the entire hotel, as well as the attentive hospitality, promise a special Kyoto experience. In the tasteful guest rooms surrounded by the murmuring river and Japanese gardens, you can spend a blissful time soothing both body and mind in silence, independent guest cottages from the hustle and bustle. You can also experience a traditional Japanese sauna called a "kamaburo," which is rarely seen these days.
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Sanzenin Temple
It has a long history, and there are many things to see within the grounds, such as Ojo Gokuraku-in Temple, which houses the national treasure Amida Triad, and the Golden Fudo Hall, which enshrines Benzaiten. In addition, more than 1,000 hydrangeas are planted in the back of the grounds, and the beautiful scenery unfolds from mid-June to mid-July, when they are in full bloom.
By making a reservation in advance, you can experience copying sutras and listening to sermons.
Take a bus from Kyoto Station, get off and walk for about 10 minutes. The approach to Sanzenin Temple is lined with restaurants and shops selling Ohara's specialty pickled eggplants, so you can enjoy a stroll. There are other temples worth visiting in the area, such as Jakkoin and Shorinin, so we recommend visiting them as well.
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Ohara Onsen Hot Spring Ryokan - SERYO
This ryokan (traditional Japanese Ryokan (Japanese inn)) boasts a tranquil onsen(hot spring) surrounded by the lush nature of Ohara, a rural mountain village in Kyoto. The open-air bath, which is 100% natural hot spring, will soothe both body and mind while offering seasonal views. The delicate kaiseki（a traditional Japanese multiple course meal ）, which makes use of seasonal ingredients while preserving the traditions of Kyoto cuisine, will ensure you have a truly blissful time. A wide selection of Kyoto's local sake and wines is also available. The guest rooms are designed in a tranquil, Japanese atmosphere, allowing you to relax and unwind. Some rooms even come with an open-air bath or a private Japanese garden. This is recommended for those who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy a quiet stay.
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