- Northern Kyoto
- Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion) is a Zen temple that is covered in gold leaf. Construction of Kinkakuji began in 1397 and currently houses sacred relics of Buddha. The current building was constructed in 1955 after the former structure was destroyed by a fire in 1950. Take a bus (number 101 or 205) from Kyoto Station. You can also take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station from where the temple can be reached in a short bus or taxi ride.
- Ryoanji is a Zen temple that features a famous rock garden, the meaning of which is unknown and up to each visitor’s interpretation. Ryoanji is a 5 minute bus ride or a 15 minute walk west of Kinkakuji. Ryoanji can also be reached by the Keifuku Kitano Line - get off at Ryoanji-michi Station from where it is a 5 minute walk to the temple.
- Ninnaji is considered to be one of Japan’s most interesting temples and features a variety of buildings and gardens including palace-style buildings, a five-storied pagoda, various temple halls, a bell tower and tea houses. Ninnaji was built in 888 as an imperial residence and is currently the headquarters of the Omuro School of the Buddhist Shingon sect. Ninnaji is a 10 minute walk west of Ryoanji and few steps from Omuro Station on the Keifuku Kitano Line.
- Daitokuji is the head temple of the Rinzai sect’s Daitokuji School of Japanese Buddhism. It is considered to be one of the best places in Japan to experience Zen. Daitokuji is surrounded by various subtemples; the main temple is open to the public. There are also several gardens and tea ceremony rooms. From Kyoto Station take Karasuma Subway Line to Kitaoji Station, from where the temple is a 5 minute bus ride or a 15 minute walk.
- Toei Eigamura is a film set and theme park. It features a variety of traditional Japanese buildings which are used in the production of historical movies and television dramas. Other attractions include a haunted house and a souvenir shop. Toei Eigamura also offers visitors the opportunity to dress up and be photographed in various traditional attire including samurai, ninja and geisha. Toei Eigamura is a 5 minute walk from Uzumasa Station on the Keifuku Arashiyama Line or a 15 minute walk from JR Hanazono Station. It can also be reached in about half an hour by Kyoto City Bus (number 75) or Kyoto Bus (numbers 71, 72 or 73) from Kyoto Station.
- Enryakuji is one of the most significant monasteries in Japanese history. It is the headquarters of the Tendai sect, the Buddhist sect that was a foundation for a number of later sects. Enryakuji was built in 806 and, at its peak, had almost 3000 subtemples and a powerful army of warrior monks. There are two possible train routes to Enryakuji: The first approaches the mountain from the Kyoto side by Eizan Railways from Demachi-Yanagi Station to the foot of the mountain (about 15 minutes), from where there is a cablecar followed by a ropeway. The second route approaches the mountain from the Lake Biwa side by the JR Kosei Line to Hiei Sakamoto Station (about 15 minutes). The Sakamoto Cablecar then leads up the mountain and it is a 15 minute walk or 5 minute bus ride to the cable car station. There are also some buses to the top of Mount Hiei from Kyoto Station (operated by Kyoto Bus) and Keihan Sanjo Station (operated by Keihan Bus); however these buses are not frequent.
- Ohara is a rural town, about one hour north of Kyoto Station. The main attraction in Ohara is Sanzen-in Temple, which features a wooden building and a moss-covered garden. It is especially popular in autumn when the leaves change (usually around mid November). From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Kokusaikaikan Station (about 20 minutes). From there take Kyoto Bus (number 19, bound for Ohara or Kodeishi) to Ohara (20 minutes). Alternatively, take Kyoto Bus (number 17 bound for Ohara) directly from Kyoto Station to Ohara (about 60 minutes).
- Kurama is a rural town less than one hour north of the city center. Kurama is famous for Kuramadera temple and hot springs. Kuramadera temple is a Buddhist temple that can be reached either on foot (about 30-45 minutes) or cable car (only leads half-way to the temple). This is also the location of the Fire Festival (kurama hi matsuri) which is held annually on October 22. The one way trip along the Eizan Kurama Line from Demachi-Yanagi Station to Kurama Station takes about 30 minutes. In order to access Kibune, get off at Kibune-guchi Station, from where you can walk to Kibune along the road in about 20-30 minutes or take Kyoto Bus (number 33, about 5 minutes). The fastest way to reach Demachi-Yanagi Station from Kyoto Station is by taking the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station (about 2 minutes), where you can transfer to the Keihan Main Line to Demachi-Yanagi Station (about 10 minutes).
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