En la ciudad de Kioto, hay literalmente miles de templos budistas y santuarios sintoístas. El templo de Enryaku-ji y el de To-ji son dos de los ejemplos más prominentes de la tradición esotérica budista. Entre los cinco templos más grandiosos del Budismo Zen de Kioto, está el templo Nanzen-ji, el Shokoku-ji, el Tenryu-ji y los templos Dorado y Plateado (Kinkakuji y Ginkakuji). Como los templos budistas, los santuarios sintoístas son lugares dedicados al culto religioso. En el Sintoísmo, se adora a millones de dioses, dioses que pueden encontrase en todas partes. Entre los santuarios sintoístas más famosos en Kioto se encuentra el santuario de Kamigamo-jinja y el de Shimogamo-jinja, santuarios consagrados a los dioses del agua. De otro lado está el santuario de Yasaka-jinja, santuario dedicado al culto del dios de la prosperidad y de la buna salud.
Por favor, tenga en cuenta también que no está permitido fumar en ninguna zona del recinto de los templos y santuarios.
Se dice que los lugares Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO “representan las obras maestras del ingenio creativo humano” y que tienen “un extraordinario valor universal”. La variedad, el lapso histórico que cubren y el gran número de lugares considerados como Patrimonio de la Humanidad con los que cuenta Kioto no tienen parangón con otros lugares de Japón. El Castillo Nijo-jo y los dieciséis templos y santuarios sintoístas que se muestran en la parte inferior de esta página debajo fueron elegidos como lugares Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO en 1994. Durante más de treinta y cinco años el Comité del Patrimonio de la Humanidad de la UNESCO y la Organización Educativa, Científica y Cultural de las Naciones Unidas han puestos sus esfuerzos en nombrar, catalogar y preservar tanto los tesoros naturales como los hechos por el hombre de la humanidad.
The area of North Kyoto, also known as the old capital’s “Back Parlor,” is known for the mysterious aura that permeates its shrines and temples, and boasts one of the oldest shrines in all of Japan. Even though it is easily accessed from the main city, the mountains of North Kyoto are characteristically cool and refreshing all year round, making this area especially attractive to summertime visitors.
The Higashiyama area is one of the most “Kyoto-like” areas in Kyoto and is steeped in history. It is the home to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a World Heritage Site, as well as many famous landmarks and sights that attract visitors from across Japan and around the world.
This area begins at the colorful Heian-jingu Shrine and ends at the Metropolitan Museum. It includes sites such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple and its Otowa-no-Taki, the “Sound of Feathers Waterfall.”
This area features the Golden Pavilion and Arashiyama, unquestionably the most popular sightseeing spots in Kyoto. It attracts both Japanese and tourists from overseas in droves.
This area focuses on the center of the city. It is ideal for those with limited time thanks to the efficient and convenient transportation system.
This area is located 20 to 30 minutes from the city center. It includes such prominent temples as Tofuku-ji Temple and Daigo-ji Temple and Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine (O-Inari-san).
These areas comprise a selection of sites other than those listed above, including a number of "don’t miss" World Heritage sites in the areas of Ohara, Takao, Matsuo, Uji and Ohara-no.
Ohara is located in northern Kyoto City, and is also known as “Ohara Village”. Millions of people visit Nanzen-ji and Jakko-in Temples in the Ohara area annually. Ohara receives much more snow than the Kyoto City proper and is breathtaking in any season. Takao is located about an hour west of Kyoto City. Kozan-ji Temple, a World Heritage Site, is a well-known stop for autumn tourists. Other temples in the area include Jingo-ji and Saimyo-ji Temples. Matsuo is a lush, green region located in western Kyoto near Arashiyama and Koke-dera Temple, a World Heritage Site. Uji lies south of Kyoto City, and is home to Byodo-in Temple, the temple on the back of the ten-yen coin. It is also home to some of Japan’s most famous green teas, including Uji tea. Oharano is located in lush southeastern Kyoto, and is famous for Kippo-ji, Shoji-ji, and Jurin-ji Temples.
