SAKYO KYOTO

SAKYO KYOTO DISTRICTS

Gion is a district of Kyoto, home to many geisha houses and traditional tea houses. In the evenings you can see Geisha walking in Gion.

SAKYO KYOTO LANDMARKS

Daimonji is the character meaning large or great, however in Kyoto this is also the site where a bonfire in the shape of this character is lit during the Gozan no Okuribi (commonly referred to as the Daimonji) festival. During this festival, held on August 16th, five giant bonfires are lit on the mountains surrounding Kyoto.

Philosopher's Walk Kyoto is the name given to a 2km-long path through north-eastern Kyoto. Philosopher's Walk Kyoto travels along a path next to a small river lined with cherry blossom trees passing five significant temples and two shrines.

Shugakuin Imperial Villa also known as the Shugakuin Detached Palace is a separate, but related site from the Kyoto Imperial Palace (hence detached) which features three main gardens and some tea houses. These Japanese gardens are considered to be some of the best in Japan. Shugakuin Imperial Villa is in the eastern hills of Kyoto.

SAKYO KYOTO TEMPLES

Anrakuji Temple is a Buddhist temple, which is very popular in cherry blossom season, early summer for its azaleas and its Autumn leaves of red and orange. Anrakuji Temple Kyoto is along Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk. Anrakuji Temple was the training temple of the priest Honen (1133-1212). The consorts of Cloister Emperor Gotoba, Matsumushi and Suzumushi, left the palace to become Buddhist nuns. Matsumushi and Suzumushi were greatly moved by his disciples Oren and Anraku. Enraged the cloister emperor ordered the execution of the two priests and exiled Honen. In 1681 the Anrakuji Temple was founded and dedicated to the souls of executed priests. The wooden statues of Oren, Anraku, Matsumushi and Suzmushi remind visitors of that tragedy. On July 25 every year the temple serves its famous 'Kabocha-kuyo' or plates of pumpkin to visitors, as they are believed to prevent palsy.

Bokugoan, also known as Ho-o-ji Temple, is a Buddhist temple that was originally established in Nagaokakyo-shi in the 6th century. Bokugoan was moved several times before 1888, when it was placed on its current site next to Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto. Bokugoan is a sub temple of Nanzenji Temple. Bokugoan features a small Japanese promenade garden just inside the front gate of the temple, which the public can often see through the gate. This garden looks particularly beautiful when the Autumn leaves are red and orange.

Eikando Zenrinji Temple is a Buddhist temple, in Kyoto, which is famous for its bright red and orange Autumn leaves and for its prominence in the past as a center of learning. Eikando Zenrinji Temple is a classic Japanese Temple.

Entsuji temple is a Buddhist temple of the Renzai sect which is famous for its Japanese gardens including one featuring the borrowed landscape style . Entsuji temple was established in 1678 on the site of a former Imperial Villa in northern Kyoto. Entsuji temple does not allow pictures to be taken of or inside the buildings.

Ginkaku-ji - Silver Pavilion is a Buddhist temple, that was built in the style of the Golden Pavilion, but was never completed with a matching cover of silver. Ginkaku-ji features some of the most beautiful Japanese gardens in Kyoto. Ginkaku-ji is a designated "Special Place of Scenic Beauty" and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)" listing.

Honenin Temple is a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, which is a beautiful secluded Japanese Temple with a thatched gate along Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk.

Jakkoin Temple is a famous scenic Buddhist temple north east of Kyoto. Jakkoin Temple enshrines a 2.5m wooden statue of Jizo-Bosatsu which is an Important Cultural Property. Jakkoin Temple features a Japanese garden on three sides. Much of Jakkoin Temple and its garden were destroyed in a fire in 2000. A replacement temple building was completed in 2005 and much of the garden has been restored.

Jorinji Temple is a Buddhist temple in Sakyo Kyoto. Jorinji Temple was originally established by a monk called Rodo around 600 meter south of current location in 1573. Jorinji Temple was then moved to its current location when it was destroyed by a fire in 1671. The Jizo (guardian deity of stone statue) in this temple is believed to exist before Jorinji Temple was established, and have been popular among the local people.

Konchi In Temple is a Buddhist temple, which is a sub temple of Nanzenji Temple. Konchi In Temple is famous for its Tsurukame Garden which has an extensive dry landscape style Japanese garden which is designated as one of the "Special Places of Scenic Beauty". Konchi In Temple is also noted for its Toshogu Shrine which has the only example of Gongen style architecture in Kyoto.

Kounji Temple is a Buddhist temple, which was originally established in Osaka in 1280 then transferred to Nanzenji, Kyoto in 1664. Kounji Temple features a beautiful Chisan Kaiyu-shiki garden (garden that features a path around a pond).

Kurama Temple is a Buddhist temple formerly from the Tendai sect, but since 1949 it has been part of the Kurama-Kokyo sect. Kurama Temple was founded in 770AD on Mt Kurama north of Kyoto, but all the original buildings were destroyed by fire with the Main Hall being last rebuilt in 1971. Kurama Temple is most famous for its part in the Kurama Fire Festival that takes place every year in October. Kurama Temple is a designated National Treasure.

Manshuin Temple is a Buddhist temple from the Tendai sect in north eastern Kyoto. Manshuin Temple, also known as Manshuin Monzeki, is famous for its dry landscape garden which includes 400 year old pine tree.

Nanzenji Temple (Kyoto) is a popular Japanese Temple complex with a distinctive two-story entrance gate (sanmon) and aqueduct. Nanzenji Temple is famous for its bright red and orange Autumn leaves. Nanzenji Temple is close to Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk.

Rengeji Temple is a Buddhist temple, that is famous for its garden which is best seen when the leaves start to change colour in Autumn. Rengeji Temple is in north eastern Kyoto.

Sanzenin Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect, in northern Kyoto. Sanzenin Temple is famous for its beautiful gardens that feature a moss garden, Autumn leaves and cherry blossom in Spring. Sanzenin Temple, also known as Kajii Monzeki, is one of the five Tendai Monzeki temples which in the past always had a chief priest who was a member of the Imperial family. Sanzenin Temple was first established in 985 and also features the distinctive thatched Ojo-Gokuraku-in which enshrines the Amida trinity statues.

Seikenji Temple is a Buddhist temple that was established by Monk Jindo in Amagasaki-shi, Hyogo Prefecture between 1342 and 1345. Seikenji Temple was reconstructed and relocated in 1932 to its current site in Sakyo Ward Kyoto. Seikenji Temple features some pretty red and orange Autumn leaves in late November.

Shinnyo-do Temple is a Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect in Kyoto. Shinnyo-do Temple is famous for its bright red and orange leaves in Autumn. Shinnyo-do Temple was established in 984AD by Kaisan Shonin.

Shisendo Temple is a Buddhist temple from the Zen Soto sect, which is to the north east of Kyoto. Shisendo Temple is famous for its Japanese garden which features azalea bushes, gravel areas and ponds. This tranquil temple was established in 1641 by the poet Ishikawa Jozan, who actually designed the garden.

Tenjuan Temple is a Buddhist temple, that is a sub temple of Nanzenji Temple and within the massive Nanzenji Temple precinct in Kyoto. Tenjuan Temple is famous for its two beautiful Japanese gardens including a dry garden and a pond within a strolling garden.

SAKYO KYOTO SHRINES

Heian Jingu is a Shinto Shrine in Kyoto. Heian Jingu is famous for having the largest torii in Japan and its beautiful Japanese Pond Garden (chisen-shoyu-teien or shinden-zukuri), which is one of only two in Japan and stunning cherry blossom in Spring.

Nyakuoji Jinja Shrine, also known as Kuma Nonyakuoji Shrine, is particularly popular for its Autumn leaves when the leaves of the surrounding trees have turned various shades of orange and red. Nyakuoji Jinja Shrine Kyoto is along Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk. Nyakuoji Jinja Shrine was established by retired emperor Goshirakawa in 1160 as a guardian shrine for Nyakuoji Temple. Repairs on the then four buildings were carried out around the end of last century. In 1978 the entire shrine was combined into one building.

Otoyo-jinja Shrine (Kyoto) is one of the shrines along Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk. Otoyo-jinja Shrine is popular with Japanese who seek health, cure for illness, good fortune, long life and assistance with matchmaking.

Shimogamo Shrine is part of a pair of shrines in Kyoto. The other part of the pair isKamigamo Shrine. Shimogamo Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)" listing.

Sudo-jinja Shrine enshrines the spirit of Prince Sawara Shinno, the son of Emperor Konin, who died in 785AD. Prince Sawara Shinno was also the younger brother of Emperor Kanmu who was the founder of the city of Kyoto. Prince Sawara was accused of ploting to seize power and was arrested, even though he always claimed to be innocent. The prince committed suicide over the whole affair.

SAKYO KYOTO MUSEUMS and ART GALLERIES

Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art is an art museum in Kyoto which opened in 1933. The Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art was established to commermorate the Showa emperor's coronation. The Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art includes collections by Takeuchi Seiho.

Miyako Messe, also known as the Kyoto International Exhibition Hall, is a modern exhibition hall which has special exhibition, but also has permanent exhibitions of dyed fabrics (like kimonos), Kyo dolls, Kyo laquerware, Kyo ware, Nishinjin textiles and Kyo Buddist Altar (Butsugu).

National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto, also known as MoMAK, is an art gallery dedicated to works from the 20th century and particularly from artists in the Kansai region. The National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto building was designed by Fumihiko Maki and opened in October 1986 with 2,600sqm of exhibition space. National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto is next to the Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art in Kyoto.

SAKYO KYOTO THEATRES and CONCERT HALLS

The Kyoto Concert Hall is a modern building which was opened in 1995 to commemorate the 1200th anniversary of Kyoto becoming the capital of Japan. The Kyoto Concert Hall features a main hall and Ensemble Hall.

Kyoto Kaikan Hall is a concert hall owned by the City of Kyoto which holds 2,000 people. Kyoto Kaikan Hall was opened in 1960.

SAKYO KYOTO GARDENS and PARKS

Kyoto Prefectural Botanical Gardens are said to be one of the best botanical gardens in Japan. Kyoto Botanical Gardens were established in 1924 and are set on an extensive 24 hectare site. The Kyoto Botanical Gardens features 12,000 kinds of plants including the very popular cherry blossom, a conservatory, a large lawn and childrens playground.

Murinan Villa was the former villa of Meiji Period soldier and statesman Yamagata Aritomo. Murinan Villa is famous for its strolling Japanese garden which uses the borrow scenery technique and features a pond and two streams. Murinan Villa is near Nanzenji Temple in Kyoto.

Okazaki Park is now the location for the Kyoto Municipal Zoo, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art, National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto, Miyako Messe and Kyoto Kaikan Hall. Okazaki Park was once the site of six significant temples.

Takaragaike Park is a public park in Kyoto which features a children's playground.

SAKYO KYOTO ZOO

Kyoto Municipal Zoo, in Okazaki Park in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto, is the second largest zoo in Japan. The Kyoto Municipal Zoo has 700 species on display.