Arashiyama
Arashiyama is a district on the western outskirts of Kyoto known for its beautiful nature and scenic temples. It has been popular since ancient times as an escape from the city to enjoy its natural setting. It is extremely popular during the cherry blossom season in spring and for the fall foliage season in autumn.
Tenryu-ji Temple in Arashiyama is home to one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese stroll gardens in Kyoto. Arashiyama is also home to the Sagano Scenic Railway, which is a romantic sightseeing train with amazing seasonal views.
Philosopher's Walk
Philosopher’s Walk is a short path which starts from Nyakuouji Shrine and passes Honen-in Shrine heading for Ginkaku-ji Temple along the canal. Philosopher Kitaro Nishida walked along this path while meditating which gave it its name. About 450 cherry trees are planted along the path, and it’s famous as a place for sakura. The cherries along either side of the canal are known as kansetsu-zakura, and they proudly bloom into a tunnel of cherry blossoms. The path is also beautiful during the other seasons. You can enjoy nature throughout the four seasons with fireflies in summer and the colors of autumn.
Especially, Jiro statues at Miroku-in Temple near Ginkaku-ji are also not be missed. These statues are called the jizo of happiness and one feature of these is their cradling of children. Many people come by to pray for happiness.
Maruyama Park
The oldest park in Kyoto opened in 1986, Maruyama Park is a public park next to Yasaka Shrine in the Higashiyama District. There are about 680 cherries trees and when the trees are in full bloom, the park becomes Kyoto's most popular and most crowded spot for cherry blossom festival (Hanami).
Within a garden that boasts an area, people easily find the storehouses for the floats used in the Gion Festival and statues of Ryoma Sakamoto and Shintaro Nakaoka along with old relics such as the Saigyo-an Hermitage and the Basho-an Hermitage. Moreover, there are also a number of tea houses in the park along with a shop selling a Kyoto delicacy just a bit off the main path.
Kayabuki no Sato Kitamura
In Miyama-cho, Nantan-shi, Kyoto, there is a unique display of culture and architecture. Exemplary of that culture is the mountain village community, Kayabuki no Sato Kitamura in Miyama-cho’s Chii district. Among the 50 houses in this district, 38 of them have kayabuki roofs (thatched roofs) that are characteristic for their high ceilings called “irimoya-zukuri” which have ornamental rafters on both ends and resemble Shinto shrines.
This area is surrounded by mountains on three sides with the clean Yura river flowing alongside it in perfect harmony and depicts the kind of rural scenery you would see in ancient times. In 1993, it was selected as one of the country’s conservation districts of traditional buildings. The rustic and beautiful scenery just the same as it was long ago allows us to forget the flow of time.
Sagano Bamboo Grove
Sagano Bamboo Grove in Arashiyama is considered one of the world’s most beautiful forests. The enchanting forest is famous for its natural beauty and distinct rustling sound from the bamboo swaying in the wind. The bamboo grove is popular with both Japanese and foreign visitors to Kyoto, with many people renting a traditional Japanese kimono to further enhance the experience. The bamboo grove is especially attractive when there are a bright blue sky and a light breeze with the bamboo gently swaying back and forth.
Ine-cho
Ine-cho was once a sleepy fishing village along Ine Bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture, but is now an off-the-beaten-track tourist destination that appears to be floating on the sea, giving it the nickname of the “Venice of Japan.” Traditional Japanese houses line the bay at Ine no Funaya, also known as “Kyoto by the Sea.”
Kyoto Botanical Gardens
The Kyoto Botanical Gardens is the oldest and most comprehensive public botanical garden in Japan. The ever-changing garden can be enjoyed all year round with seasonal plants and deciduous trees. It is the perfect place for a stroll in nature, a picnic, or cherry blossom viewing.