The facade of Yasaka Shrine is the central street of Kyoto. Photo: Lady Ironchef.
The Shinto shrine was built in 656 AD and faces Shijo-dori Avenue in the Gion area (central Kyoto). Next to it is Maruyama Park, where a cherry blossom festival is held every spring.
Visitors often stand in front of this small temple to pray for good luck. Photo: Ga Con.
In addition, Yasaka is also famous for the traditional geisha dance and the bean-throwing ceremony to celebrate the New Year during the Setsubun festival, which is meant to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
Delicious dessert shops
Photo: Lady Ironchef.
The ancient capital of Japan is considered to have the best matcha (green tea) desserts. Visitors can find both traditional flavors and sophisticated creativity in each dessert they enjoy. You will feel regretful if you come to Kyoto and miss this.
Toji Temple
Toji Temple is the tallest temple in Japan - 57 meters with 5 floors. Photo: Lady Ironchef.
Toji Temple - the symbol of Kyoto with a height of 57m - 5 floors, is also the tallest temple in Japan. It was built in the 700s and is recognized by Unesco as a world heritage site.
Nishiki Market
Several centuries ago, this place was considered the largest retail market in Japan with long rows of stalls with a variety of products for everyone's needs.
Nishiki Market with a variety of goods. Photo: Lady Ironchef.
Today, with the same diversity, Nishiki Market is affectionately called “Kyoto Kitchen” - the kitchen of Kyoto, meaning you can find everything here. On the other hand, visitors to the market will have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Japanese sweet teas, tsukemono (pickles) or fresh and delicious sushi.
Gion District
This is the only remaining geisha district in the land of the rising sun. Geisha are beautifully dressed, carefully made-up girls, trained to become people who bring relaxing moments to their customers with songs, playing musical instruments or sitting with customers to chat, make drinks, pour tea...
Pictured is a maiko - future geisha, in training. Photo: Gà Con.
This neighborhood is made up of traditional, ancient-style houses that blend into the shimmering space of signs and lanterns. Don’t miss Gion and take souvenir photos with the geisha girls.
Pontocho District
Like Gion, Pontocho is a place that still retains ancient features on every street, corner and house in Kyoto. At the same time, visitors can also see geisha walking on the street.
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience traditional culinary style at Pontocho. Photo: Ga Con.
Here, you can enjoy Japanese food in the traditional way, sitting on the outdoor wooden porch or by the river, at a price that is not cheap. However, Pontocho still attracts a lot of tourists to this place.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
This is one of the most important Shinto shrines dedicated to the sacred rice goddess Inari. Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for its thousands of red torii gates, forming a beautiful path leading into the sacred forest and mountain. Visitors can stop at eateries along the way to the top of the mountain and enjoy unique local dishes such as Unari sushi and Kitsune Udon noodles, a favorite dish of foxes, the mascot of the goddess Inari.
Inari Shrine is famous for its thousands of red torii gates. Photo: Chicken, Lady Ironchef.
The bright red image of this road of a thousand gates once appeared in the filming of the movieMemoirs of a GeishaThe once-popular film starring Zhang Ziyi, Gong Li and Michelle Yeoh.
Golden Temple
Also known as Pavillion or Kinkakuji, it is recognized by Unesco as a world heritage site. However, the current image of the temple is a completely new construction in 1955, after being burned down by a young monk before.
The temple shines in a picturesque setting. Photo: Ga Con.
The temple is impressive because it is covered with pure gold leaves. The surrounding scenery is like a painting, adding to the charm of Kyoto.
