Don't miss out on sightseeing in Kyoto! 10 recommended spots in Kawaramachi and surrounding areas

Kawaramachi is a famous sightseeing spot in Kyoto.
The area where Kawaramachi is located is home to the world-famous Honnoji Temple and many temples and shrines designated as important cultural properties of Japan.

So we will introduce several famous temples, shrines and other temples and shrines in the Kawaramachi area, as well as famous spots that you should visit at least once if you come to Kawaramachi.
Please refer to this page when you travel to Kyoto.

Table of Contents

◆1. Kenninji Temple

◆2. Honnoji Temple

◆3. Rokkakudo

◆4. Sanjusangendo

◆5. Yasaka Shrine

◆6. Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine

Kyoto National Museum

◆8. Pontocho

◆9. Shijo Ohashi Bridge

◆10. Nishiki Market

◆ Summary

1. Kenninji Temple

Kenninji Temple, founded in Kennin 2, is known as the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.
The National Treasure "The Wind and Thunder Gods" painted by Sotatsu Tawaraya is now deposited at the Kyoto National Museum, but a replica can be viewed at Kenninji Temple.
Visitors can also experience zazen meditation at Ryosokuin, located on the grounds.
For those who wish to focus their minds and face themselves, we recommend Zazen, a method of Buddhist practice.
In addition, you can also do sutra copying, so please try not only sightseeing but also hands-on experience.

◆ Facility Name:Kenninji temple
Address: Komatsu-cho 584, Shijo-sagaru, Yamato-oji-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
◆Access: 10 minutes walk from Hankyu "Kawaramachi" station

◆HP:https://www.kenninji.jp/

2. Honnoji Temple

Honnoji" is a must-see for history buffs.
Honnoji Temple is famous as the place where Nobunaga Oda was attacked by Mitsuhide Akechi in 1582 and committed suicide.
Everyone has probably heard of this temple at least once, as it is listed in school textbooks as "Honnoji no Hen" (The Honnoji Incident).
Honnoji Temple has been rebuilt seven times due to military conflicts and fires, and it was not until 1928 that it reached its current form.
Don't miss the Daiboden, where temple treasures are on display, and the pagoda temples beside the main hall.

◆ Facility Name:Honnoji Temple
Address: 522 Honnojimae-cho, Shimo-Honnojimae-cho, Oike-sagaru, Teramachi-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: about 5 minutes walk from Hankyu "Kawaramachi" station

◆HP:https://www.kyoto-honnouji.jp/

3. Rokkakudo

Rokkakudo" is characterized by its hexagonal roof.
This hexagonal shape is said to have come about because of the wish that the six desires arising from the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and will be discarded, and that one will be happy.
This temple was built by Prince Shotoku, and within its precincts you can see Taishido Hall, where Shotoku Taishi is enshrined, and other historical sites.
It was rebuilt in 1877 and designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Kyoto.

◆ Facility Name:hexagonal building
Address: 248 Donomae-cho, Rokkaku-dori Higashinotoin Nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
◆Access: about 5 minutes walk from "Karasuma" station on Hankyu line

◆HP:https://www.ikenobo.jp/rokkakudo/

4. Sanjusangendo

Sanjusangendo" is said to be the longest historical wooden building in Japan.
The building is named after the 33 pillared rooms in the main hall camp, which is approximately 120 meters from north to south.
The sight of more than 1,000 thousand-armed Kannon statues in a row, not to mention the many national treasures such as the Wind God and Thunder God statues and the 28 guardian deities, is an impressive sight that must be seen at least once.

◆ Facility Name:Sanjusangendo (Buddhist temple in Kyoto)
Address: 657 Sanjusangendo Mawari, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
◆Access: A short walk from "Museum Sanjusangendo-mae" bus stop by city bus

◆HP:http://sanjusangendo.jp/

5. Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine, known locally as "Gion-san," is a shrine that is said to be beneficial for matchmaking and warding off bad luck.
The vermilion-colored Seiro-mon gate is designated as a national important cultural property, and many people stand in front of the gate in kimono for a photo.
It is also recommended to visit during the Gion Festival, a festival held every July at Yasaka Shrine.

◆ Facility Name:Yasaka Shrine
◆Address: 625 Gion-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
◆Access: 10 minutes walk from Hankyu "Kawaramachi" station

◆HP:https://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/

6. Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine

Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine enshrines Sugawara Michizane, the famous god of wisdom and learning, and is therefore a popular destination for students seeking to improve their academic performance or before taking entrance exams.
It is said that the statue of a sacred cow at Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine will give you wisdom if you pat its head and then touch your own head, and many people seem to pray by touching it.
It is a short walk from Hankyu "Kawaramachi" station, so please stop by in between sightseeing.

◆ Facility Name:Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine
Address: 537 Nakano-cho, Shijo-agaru, Shinkyogoku-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: about 3 minutes walk from Hankyu "Kawaramachi" station

◆HP:https://nishikitenmangu.or.jp/

7. Kyoto National Museum

Opened in 1897, the Kyoto National Museum is a national museum that is popular among foreign visitors for its knowledge of Kyoto's culture and history.
Not only the permanent exhibits, but also the special exhibitions are worth seeing.
If you want to see many national treasures, important cultural properties, and nationally registered tangible cultural properties, this is a must-see spot.

◆ Facility Name:Kyoto National Museum
◆Address: 527 Chayamachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
◆Access: A short walk from "Museum Sanjusangendo-mae" bus stop by city bus

◆HP:https://www.kyohaku.go.jp/jp/

8. Pontocho

Pontocho is impressive for its cobblestone streets and night views.
The road connects Sanjo-dori South to Shijo-dori, and is an exciting place to just walk around, lined with townhouses, teahouses, restaurants, and other stores.
You will also be able to see maiko and geisha visiting the training hall, which will make the place feel more like Kyoto.

◆ Facility Name:Pontocho (area of Tokyo near Tokyo Bay, inc. Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui prefectures)
Address: Ponto-cho Dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, etc.
Access: about 5 minutes walk from Hankyu "Kawaramachi" station

◆HP:https://www.ponto-chou.com/

9. Shijo Ohashi Bridge

The Shijo Street bridge over the Kamo River is called "Shijo Ohashi.
It is connected to Hankyu Kawaramachi Station to the west and Keihan Gion-Shijo Station to the east, and is a place where people are constantly passing by throughout the day.
It is also a tourist destination for many people because of its proximity to downtown and the famous Kamo River scenery.

◆ Facility Name:Shijo Ohashi Bridge
◆Address: Kawabatamachi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
◆Access: A short walk from Hankyu "Kawaramachi" station

10. Nishiki Market

“Nishiki Market is also known as the ”kitchen of Kyoto.
The shopping street stretches for about 400 meters along Nishiki Koji and offers numerous stores selling Kyoto food such as Kyoto pickles, obanzai, kyo yasai, and matcha green tea.
Lined with everything from authentic Kyoto-style restaurants to sweets stores, this is the perfect place for those who want to try Kyoto's gourmet food.

◆ Facility Name:Nishiki Market Market
Address: 609 Nishidaimonji-cho, Shijojo-agaru, Tominokoji-dori, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
◆Access: A short walk from "Shijo Takakura" city bus stop

◆HP:https://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/

summary

How many spots did you find interesting?
In this issue, we have introduced several famous places in Kawaramachi, a sightseeing area not far from Kyoto Station.
Kawaramachi is home to many places where you can experience culture and history, so when you visit Kyoto, be sure to stop by the places we have introduced here.