The ancient capital of Kyoto is one of the largest and most culturally and historically rich cities in Japan. Along with that, there are hundreds of famous tourist destinations throughout the city, and it often takes weeks or even months to visit all the beautiful places here. However, for some reason you can only have one day to visit and take photos in Kyoto, making a reasonable travel plan really difficult. I want to go to famous temples and pagodas, take photos in famous old streets, and don't want to miss the bamboo forest - an extremely famous place in Kyoto.
Today I will suggest to you an itinerary that allows you to visit and take pictures of all the beautiful places mentioned above in just one day! Let's explore together 😉
First location: Yasaka is full (法観寺).
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/M78pCopiuvd1Vvay8
This is one of the most famous places, always at the top of the list of must-visit places when coming to Kyoto.
There are also many kimono shops around this area for you to choose from, and most of them are open from 9am. You can come here early to take photos of the street when it's empty, and at 9am go to the kimono shop to rent clothes.
My favorite kimono shop is Okamoto, around Kyomizu Dera there are also 3 locations of this store. The nearest branch to Yasaka-no-to is Kimono Okamoto Kiyomizu Higashiyama Shop (click on HERE to see the address).
***See more articles on how to order your Kimono at HERE.
On the way from Yasaka-no-to to Kyomizu, there are also many shops and cafes with beautiful photography corners, don't miss them.
The next location is Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka.
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NB7ueBFUVi4vsPZi9
These two streets are located on the way from Yasaka-no-to to Kyomizu, with many restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops.
Starbucks address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xnShww96FfWytBWK6
After passing through the above two streets, we will be on our way Kyomizu Dera, the temple is about 200 meters away.
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PGzZJ7ggYVfWAHjS9
This is a Buddhist temple with hundreds of years of history. Enter HERE To read more of my blog about the temple.
The next place after we go all around Kyomizu Dera is a very beautiful and empty street. When arriving at Ninenzaka, most people go all the way and return to Yasaka-no-to, without knowing that: just 100 meters away there is an old town called Nene-no-michi, the street connecting Ninenzaka and Yasaka Shrine!
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/psKWsrpnxkQSAJK36
There are also many shops selling food, souvenirs, and even photo spots that very few people know about!
Let's take a look at the "secret photo corners" on this road.
The next location, also located right on this street, is Kodai-ji – a Buddhist temple with a large campus, where light festivals are often held in each season.
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/UiKLoK3F6eUhgkZM8
Admission to kodai-ji is 600 JPY/person.
In the fall, there will be an event to illuminate the area with red leaf trees and an extremely impressive light show. Let's watch the light show video I shot below:
Inside Kodai-ji there is also a "miniature version" of the Arashiyama bamboo forest, and of course much less crowded. Extremely easy and convenient for taking photos here.
Bamboo forest inside Kodai-ji.
So in just half a day, we were able to take photos of the entire area of famous temples, pagodas, old towns and bamboo forests. However, there are still many beautiful places waiting for us ahead. Let's continue watching!
The next location is at the end of Nene-no-machi street, that is Yasaka shrine – one of the largest Shinto shrines in Japan.
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SngWttbdABQLCt3Z9
Yasaka Shrine, also known as Gion Shrine, is a Shinto shrine built in 656 BC. The main deity worshiped here is Susano, worshiped as a god who can ward off all disasters.
This is also an extremely famous "lucky" place in Kyoto. If you are single, you definitely cannot miss this place 😀
Inside this large temple there are also many beautiful photography angles.
After exploring the temple, our next destination will be the Kamo River, a large river cutting through the famous old town of Gion.
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Frjg1ncS8uHvadm6
It is located near Gion-shijo station, you can walk from Yasaka shrine or take the bus here. This road is only about 600 meters long, so I recommend you walk. Without wasting time waiting for the bus, you can walk and admire the famous old street Gion in Kyoto.
The next location, also the last location of today, is located right near the Gion - shijo station area, which is the old town of Shirakawasuji, a favorite location for taking photos.
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cmn2HwpbqEqepzVL8
This street is extremely popular when cherry blossom season comes, but during other seasons, this street is unusually quiet and empty of people.
We can comfortably take photos here without fear of getting too many people in our photo frame.
Around are also cafes or shops with ancient designs, very "Kyoto". Let's take a look at some super beautiful photography angles here:
A set of Vietnamese Ao Dai that I took here, it also fits the scene very well, right?
A Yugata set here.
Not only cherry blossom season, during red leaf season, this place is also quite prominent with many different shooting angles.
At this point, we have completed a full day of exploring Kyoto, along with dozens of different places to visit and take photos, enough for you to be satisfied with your trip. Above are my experiences in optimizing the time for your trip to Kyoto. Hopefully it will partly help you have the best plan for your own visit to Kyoto! Thank you for reading to the end of the article.
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The article is so high quality and honest. Minh's blog is a great reference source