All 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto +highlights

Here is the list of all 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kyoto. I, as a Kyoto native, walk you through the highlight of each destination in the most concise way. A complete map of all 17 locations is at the end of this article.

1. Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺)

Kinkaku-ji, Golden Pavilion, is probably the highlight of all the temples in Kyoto. It’s just so famous. Kinkaku-ji, per se, is a three-story stupa which is one of 19 checkpoints at Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺). When it snows and piles on the roof of Kinkaku-ji, it makes news headlines. You’re lucky if you see it in winter.

Website | Guide map | Address: 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 〒603-8361, Japan

2. Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺)

Ginkaku-ji is also known as Silver Pavilion. But alas, it’s not silver. It’s just one of the three most important three-story stupas in Kyoto.

Website | Guide map | Address: 2 Ginkakujicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒606-8402, Japan

3. Ninna-ji (仁和寺)

Build in 888, Ninna-ji is the most important temple of the Buddhist sect Shingonshu Omuroha (真言宗御室派). Ninna-ji is one of the top destinations for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) in Spring in Kyoto.

Website | Guide map | Address: 33 Omuroouchi, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒616-8092, Japan

4. Ryoan-ji (龍安寺)

Less than a mile away from Ninna-ji is Ryoan-ji. The world-famous Karesansui (枯山水) / the Japanese dry garden is to see.

Website | Guide map | Address: 13 Ryoanji Goryonoshitacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒616-8001, Japan

5. Tenryu-ji (天龍寺)

Kyoto’s top destination Arashiyama (嵐山) is where Tenryu-ji is at. The Tenryu-ji Cloud Dragon Painting (雲龍図), Darumazu (達磨図), and Sogenchi Teien (曹源池庭園) are impossible to miss.

Website | Guide map | Address: 68 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒616-8385, Japan

6. Kozan-ji (高山寺)

Kozan-ji is a temple on a mountain that requires visitors some devotion to access (by bus, taxi, or car). Choju Jinbutsu Giga picture scrolls (鳥獣人物戯画), which are considered Japan’s oldest manga, belong to Kozan-ji.

Website | Guide map | Address: 8-8 Umegahata Toganoocho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒616-8295, Japan

7. Enryaku-ji (延暦寺)

“A temple in the sky overlooking Japan’s biggest Lake Biwa” can’t be too much for a description. Enryaku-ji is the only temple in this article that stretches to the adjacent Shiga prefecture. You can try a cable railway to get there.

Website | Guide map | Address: 4220 Sakamotohonmachi, Otsu, Shiga 〒520-0116, Japan

8. Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺)

THE temple with the balcony. In Japanese, “jump off Kiyomizu balcony (清水の舞台から飛び降りる)” means “make a big decision.” To see the balcony and everything else, you only pay a 400 yen ($2.90) entrance fee. Not a big deal (to pay).

Website | Guide map | Address: 1-chome-294 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 〒605-0862, Japan

9. Nijo Castle (二条城)

Nijo Castle is the only castle among all the 17 places in this article. In ancient times, Japanese people considered tigers and leopards the same animal. You will see it in paintings at Nijo Castle.

Website | Guide map | Address: 541 Nijojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒604-8301, Japan

10. Kamigamo Shrine (上賀茂神社)

Kyoto’s oldest shrine is Kamigamo Shrine (上賀茂神社). Their famous pair of sand mounds (Tatezuna / 立砂) is considered a landing spot for the lightning-repelling god Kamowakeikazuchinookami (賀茂別雷大神).

Website | Guide map | Address: 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 〒603-8047, Japan

11. Shimogamo Shrine (下鴨神社)

Less than 2 miles south of Kamigamo Shrine (“upper”-gamo shrine) is Shimogamo Shrine (“lower”-gamo shrine). Walking in Tadasu no Mori Forest (糺の森) at Shimogamo Shrine will take you somewhere otherworldly like the forest from Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke.

Website | Guide map | Address: 59 Shimogamo Izumikawacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒606-0807, Japan

12. Byodoin (平等院)

The Phoenix Hall (鳳凰堂) is to see at Byodoin. You can also see it on a 10 yen coin. 

Website | Guide map | Address: Renge-116 Uji, Kyoto 〒611-0021, Japan

13. Ujigami Shrine (宇治上神社)

A 10-minute walk from Byodoin is Ujigami Shrine. It’s also known as one of the rabbit shrines.

Website | Guide map | Address: 59 Yamada, Uji, Kyoto, 〒611-0021, Japan

14. To-ji (東寺)

Japan’s tallest five-story pagoda (五重塔) is at To-ji. Their monthly flea market Koboichi (弘法市) on every 21st is also worth visiting.

Website | Guide map | Address: 1 Kujocho, Minami Ward, Kyoto, 〒601-8473, Japan

15. Nishi Hongan-ji (西本願寺)

Free entrance! Nishi Hongan-ji’s Hiunkaku (飛雲閣) is one of the three most important three-story stupas (the Big Three: Nishi Hongan-ji, Kinkaku-ji, and Ginkaku-ji).

Website | Guide map | Address: Honganji Monzencho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒600-8358, Japan

16. Daigo-ji (醍醐寺)

Daigo-ji has an off-beat vibe. They have announced they will open a new temple Goun-ji (劫蘊寺) in the universe.

Website | Guide map | Address: 22 Daigohigashiojicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 〒601-1325, Japan

17. Saiho-ji (​​西芳寺)

Photo by Ivanoff~commonswiki

Saiho-ji is also known as Moss Temple (Kokedera / 苔寺). You must book a ticket for extortionately 3000 yen ($21.40). It’s a bit exclusive.

Website | Guide map | Address: 56 Matsuojingatanicho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒615-8286, Japan

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