\u25a0Why Kyoto Is Popular Among Foreigners<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25a0Guide to the 17 Sites of the \"Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto\" World Cultural Heritage Site<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u25a0 Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to data released by the Kyoto City Tourism Association (DMO KYOTO), the number of tourists visiting Kyoto City in 2025 reached 62.79 million (an increase of 6.73 million from the previous year), setting a new record high. The number of overnight visitors reached 16.59 million, while the number of international overnight visitors (actual count) reached 8.09 million\u2014both setting new records. Tourism spending totaled 2.0474 trillion yen, and the economic ripple effect amounted to 2.2193 trillion yen. Among these, Fushimi Inari Taisha is a popular tourist destination for foreign visitors and is frequently ranked among the top spots in both domestic and international lists. As the head shrine of the approximately 30,000 Inari shrines nationwide, it boasts a history of over 1,300 years, and visitors are welcome to pray on the grounds at any time of day. The sight of tourists dressed in kimono taking photos against the backdrop of the vermilion Senbon Torii has become a quintessential Kyoto scene, visible day and night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyoto is home to the \u201cCultural Properties of the Ancient Capital of Kyoto,\u201d which were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994. It is rare even on a global scale to find a single metropolitan area where visitors can easily visit so many World Heritage Sites, making it a major attraction for travelers interested in history and architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyoto is home to numerous shrines and temples, including the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji), Fushimi Inari Taisha, Ryoan-ji, and Kiyomizu-dera, and its grid-patterned city layout creates a unique landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At night, you may spot maiko and geiko heading to private dining rooms in the hanamachi districts, such as Gion; these scenes are a unique charm of Kyoto that you rarely experience in other cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyoto is a city where you can experience a high-quality food culture, ranging from traditional Japanese sweets to Japanese cuisine. In addition, the \u201cThree Great Pickles of Kyoto\u201d\u2014shibazuke, sugukizuke, and senmaizuke\u2014are also a culinary tradition unique to Kyoto. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Kyoto, you can enjoy beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons, from cherry blossoms in spring to autumn foliage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kamigamo Shrine, Heian Jingu Shrine Garden, and Ninnaji Temple are particularly well-known for their cherry blossoms, while Tofukuji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Eikando Temple, and Arashiyama are famous for their autumn foliage; during the peak seasons, these sites are bustling with tourists from both Japan and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyoto offers a dazzling array of souvenirs, ranging from delicately crafted Japanese sweets to traditional crafts such as Kyoto Yuzen and Kiyomizu-yaki pottery, as well as coin purses, folding fans, Kyoto-style folding fans, and bookmarks. Thanks in part to their beautiful packaging, these items are highly regarded by international travelers as \u201cunique, delicate, and charming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the year, events are held where you can experience Japanese history and culture firsthand, including the Aoi Festival, the Gion Festival, and the Jidai Festival\u2014known as the Three Great Festivals of Kyoto\u2014as well as the \u201cGozan no Okuribi,\u201d a traditional summer event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In Kyoto, there are numerous facilities where even tourists can easily experience traditional arts such as the tea ceremony, calligraphy, ikebana, and zazen. Through a tea ceremony experience, you can learn the proper etiquette for preparing tea and the spirit of hospitality, while a zazen experience allows you to savor a quiet moment of mental focus in the Zen traditions (S\u014dt\u014d and Rinzai).<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, Kyoto\u2019s major appeal lies in the fact that it offers tourism experiences that go beyond just \u201cseeing\u201d\u2014such as renting a kimono to walk around the city, making sweets with Uji matcha, crafting traditional Japanese confections, pottery, and painting Kyoto folding fans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyoto, with its many traditional townhouses, historic temples and shrines, and abundant natural beauty throughout the four seasons, has long been a popular location for film and television productions, particularly period dramas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People overseas often describe Japan as \"polite\" and \"hospitality-oriented.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyoto Prefecture boasts a diverse natural environment within its borders. Ayabe City, Maizuru City, Fukuchiyama City, and Kyotango City\u2014areas facing the Sea of Japan\u2014are known as \u201cMarine Kyoto\u201d; the mountainous regions, such as Kameoka City, Ukyo Ward, and Nantan City, are known as \u201cForest Kyoto\u201d; and the tea-producing regions of Uji City, Ujitawara Town, and Wazuka Town are known as \u201cTea Kyoto.\u201d Each of these areas is promoted as a tourist destination with its own unique charm. Even within Kyoto City, you can experience the changing seasons up close by walking along the banks of the Kamo and Katsura Rivers, and if you venture a little further out into the suburbs, you\u2019ll find campgrounds and idyllic rural scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Japanese green tea culture is said to have originated in Kyoto. It is believed to have begun in the early Heian period when envoys to Tang China and monks studying abroad brought tea back from China; the Heian-period historical text *Nihon Koki* contains a record from 815 stating that the monk Eich\u016b presented tea to Emperor Saga. The culture of the tea ceremony developed during the Muromachi period and spread to the common people during the Edo period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to tea from Kyoto, Uji tea is famous; it is known not only for matcha but also for high-quality teas such as sencha and gyokuro. Even today, vast tea fields stretch across areas like Wazuka Town in southern Kyoto Prefecture, making it one of the prefecture\u2019s leading tea-producing regions. In recent years, sweets made with matcha have also become popular, and the coexistence of tradition and modern enjoyment is part of its appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kyoto is home to numerous guesthouses\u2014including accommodations converted from traditional Kyoto townhouses\u2014that place a high value on hospitality rooted in Japanese culture. With facilities featuring staff who speak English, multilingual in-house signage, and accommodations serving homemade Japanese cuisine, the city offers an environment where international travelers can feel at ease during their stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many travelers visit Kyoto with the aim of experiencing cross-cultural exchange, and the city provides an environment where people with shared hobbies and interests\u2014regardless of nationality\u2014can naturally connect. One of Kyoto\u2019s unique charms is the opportunity to meet not only Japanese people but also travelers from around the world through guesthouses, tours, and hands-on experience facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Held every February, the \u201cKyoto Marathon\u201d is a full marathon event featuring a course that winds through Kyoto\u2019s famous landmarks, including World Heritage sites, Arashiyama, and the banks of the Kamo River. With \u201cDO YOU KYOTO?\u201d as its theme, the event is known for its environmentally conscious operations and has become a truly international competition, attracting many runners from overseas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accommodations and tourist facilities throughout Kyoto City are widely equipped with staff who speak foreign languages and multilingual signage. There is also a wide selection of guided bus tours with interpreters for languages such as English, Chinese, and Korean, creating an environment where even first-time visitors to Kyoto can explore the city with confidence. The availability of medical facilities staffed with multilingual personnel to assist in the event of a sudden illness also provides peace of mind for travelers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a sub-temple of Sh\u014dkoku-ji located in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, and its official name is \u201cRokuon-ji.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a sub-temple of Sh\u014dkoku-ji in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, and its official name is \u201cJish\u014d-ji.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n An independent temple of the Rinzai school located in Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, commonly known as the \"Moss Temple.\" <\/p>\n\n\n\n A shrine located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City; its official name is \u201cKamo Myojin Shrine.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Affectionately known as \u201cO-Nishi-san,\u201d this is the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji School, located in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \"Kamo-Wakuraijinja,\" located in Kyoto's Kita Ward, is considered one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in Minami Ward, Kyoto City, this is one of the state-sponsored temples built to protect the nation when the capital was moved to Heian-ky\u014d. Its official name is \u201cKy\u014d\u014d Gokoku-ji.\u201d The East Gate and the \u201cFive-Story Pagoda\u201d (approximately 55 meters tall)\u2014the tallest surviving wooden structure in Japan\u2014are must-see attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, this temple boasts a history of more than 1,200 years since its founding. The main hall\u2014known as the \u201cKiyomizu Stage\u201d for its structure that juts out from a cliff\u2014is designated a National Treasure, and the temple also houses numerous Important Cultural Properties, including a three-story pagoda. Other popular attractions on the grounds include Otowa Waterfall and the \u201cWomb Tour\u201d inside the Zuiyudo Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The head temple of the Shingon-shu Daigo sect, located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. It offers numerous highlights, including the Five-Story Pagoda (built in 951), considered the oldest surviving wooden structure in Kyoto; Sanbo-in, which houses numerous structures designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan; and the Kondo, which preserves the architectural style of the late Heian period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, this is the head temple of the Omuro School of the Shingon sect and was founded in 888. After being destroyed by fire during the Onin War, it was rebuilt with the support of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Edo shogunate. There are many highlights to see, including the gardens (North Garden and South Garden), designated as National Scenic Spots, the five-story pagoda, and the Ni\u014d Gate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The head temple of the Tenry\u016b-ji branch of the Rinzai school, located in Arashiyama, Uky\u014d Ward, Kyoto City. The massive dragon painting on the ceiling of the Dharma Hall, titled \u201cCloud Dragon\u201d (created by Japanese painter Matazo Kayama as part of the project commemorating the 650th anniversary of Tenry\u016b-ji\u2019s founding), is known for appearing to stare intently at the viewer from any angle. The gardens, including the S\u014dgen-chi Garden, are also highlights of the temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, this temple belongs to the Myoshin-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism and is renowned for its \"stone garden,\" one of Japan\u2019s most representative examples of a dry landscape garden. When Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom visited Japan in 1975, she praised the stone garden highly, and this was widely reported in the international media; since then, it has become known worldwide as the \"Rock Garden.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in Togano, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, this ancient temple is known as one of the birthplaces of Japanese tea, and the grounds still feature what is believed to be Japan\u2019s oldest tea garden. It is said to have been founded during the Nara period and was revived by the monk Myoe during the Kamakura period. Highlights include the National Treasure \u201cPictures of Animals, People, and Scenes\u201d (the temple holds a portion of the four-volume set) and the Sekisui-in Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, this temple is famous for the National Treasure \u201cBy\u014dd\u014d-in Phoenix Hall,\u201d which is also known for its appearance on the 10-yen coin. Designed to recreate the Pure Land of Bliss, its location on an island in Aji Pond perfectly evokes the image of it floating on the treasure pond of the Pure Land. It is also revered as a guardian Buddha for women and is known for granting blessings for finding a good marriage partner and a safe childbirth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n A castle in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, associated with the Tokugawa shogunate. The Ninomaru Palace features a corridor with \u201cuguhari\u201d flooring\u2014which emits a creaking sound when walked upon to alert the occupants to intruders\u2014and the screen paintings by the Kano school are also a highlight. It is also known as the site where the Restoration of Imperial Rule took place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25a0Number of Foreign Tourists Visiting Kyoto<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Of this total, foreign tourists numbered 12.68 million (an increase of 1.8 million from the previous year), also setting a record high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Partly due to the weak yen, travel demand from countries and regions around the world has been steadily increasing in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25a0Why Kyoto Is Popular Among Foreigners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u25cbThere are many world cultural heritage sites.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This spans Kyoto City and Uji City (Kyoto Prefecture) as well as Otsu City (Shiga Prefecture)17 underlying assets<\/strong>This World Heritage Site comprises a number of Japan\u2019s most famous landmarks, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji Temple (Rokuon-ji), Ginkaku-ji Temple (Jisho-ji), Nijo Castle, and Byodo-in Temple (a detailed list is provided below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25cb Because you can experience the \"essence of Japan\" through things like shrines, temples, and maiko<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/33684097_m-1024x763.jpg\")
\u25cb Because you can experience Kyoto\u2019s food culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The matcha sold by this long-established tea shop in Uji can be enjoyed not only as a beverage but also in a variety of desserts, such as shaved ice, soft-serve ice cream, and parfaits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With \"Washoku\" having been inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013, Kyoto has become an ideal destination for foreign travelers who wish to experience traditional Japanese food culture.
There is also an abundance of flavors unique to Kyoto, such as yatsuhashi, yuba, and hamo dishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25cb Because you can experience beautiful scenery throughout the four seasons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Because there's a wide variety of attractive souvenirs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Because you can experience traditional festivals and seasonal events firsthand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/\u7947\u5712\u796d-\u3088\u3053_1.1.1-1024x576.jpg\")
The Gion Festival's Yamahoko Parade is listed as one of the \"Yama, Hoko, and Yatai Festivals\" on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and attracts large crowds of spectators from both Japan and abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25cb Because you can experience authentic Japanese culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
At Toei Uzumasa Movie Village in Uzumasa, you can explore period drama sets, try on costumes, and experience Japanese film culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25cb Because it\u2019s well-known as a setting for movies and anime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, Kyoto has become known as a setting for anime series, and thanks to YouTube and social media, an increasing number of travelers are visiting the city to go on \u201cpilgrimages\u201d to the actual locations featured in these works.
One of the reasons Kyoto is so highly sought after as a \u201cmust-visit destination\u201d is that visitors can see with their own eyes the scenery they\u2019ve seen in films and anime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25cb Because we have a spirit of hospitality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Kyoto, highly regarded for its history, traditional culture, and culinary traditions, is a city that is frequently chosen as a \u201cmust-visit destination.\u201d Its hospitality culture\u2014which expresses consideration for others through attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and care\u2014is a uniquely Japanese charm that resonates with travelers even beyond language barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25cb Because you can enjoy a variety of natural landscapes\u2014mountains, the ocean, and the countryside\u2014<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/4068715_m-1024x683.jpg\")
\u25cb Because it is the birthplace of tea culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Because there are plenty of accommodation options, such as guesthouses,<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/nagomi-2.19-40-1024x683.jpg\")
\u25cb Because it's also a popular venue for international exchange<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Because there are international events like the Kyoto Marathon<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Because multilingual support is becoming more widespread<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u25a0Guide to the 17 Sites of the \"Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto\" World Cultural Heritage Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The \u201cCultural Properties of the Ancient Capital of Kyoto,\u201d inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994, consists of 17 temples, shrines, and castles scattered throughout Kyoto City, Uji City, and Otsu City. A distinctive feature of this site is that it consists solely of properties featuring National Treasure buildings and gardens designated as Special Places of Scenic Beauty, allowing visitors to experience up close the finest examples of Japanese architecture and garden culture from the Heian through the Edo periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u25cb Kinkaku-ji (Rokuon-ji)<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-2.jpeg\")
It is affectionately known as \u201cKinkaku-ji\u201d because gold leaf adorns both the interior and exterior of the building. The temple complex is characterized by its layout, in which the Sanmon Gate, the Buddha Hall, and the Dharma Hall are aligned in a straight line, as well as by the 46 sub-temples surrounding it. It also houses valuable cultural properties, including calligraphy by the National Treasure, Daito Kokushi, and a temple bell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Ginkaku-ji (Jish\u014d-ji)<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-3.jpeg\")
It was built by Ashikaga Yoshimasa, the 8th shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, as a mountain villa; the T\u014dky\u016bd\u014d hall within the grounds is known as the oldest surviving Shoin-zukuri-style building in Japan. There are several theories regarding why the pavilion, though called the \u201cSilver Pavilion,\u201d does not feature silver leaf\u2014including financial difficulties and Yoshimasa\u2019s death\u2014but the true reason remains unclear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Saifukuji Temple (Moss Temple)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-4.jpeg\")
The garden, covered with approximately 120 varieties of moss, is known for its enchanting beauty, and the tea house \u201cShonan-tei\u201d within the garden has been designated as an Important Cultural Property. Please note that advance reservations are required for admission, either via a return postcard or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo Myojin Shrine)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-5.jpeg\")
Known for its blessings in matters of matchmaking, fertility, and traffic safety, it is considered one of Kyoto\u2019s premier power spots. It is also famous for the \u201cMitarai Festival\u201d (held around the Day of the Ox during the Dog Days of Summer), during which worshippers immerse their feet up to the knees in the Mitarai Pond on the temple grounds to pray for good health and freedom from illness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\u25cbNishi Hongan-ji (Hongan-ji)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It features numerous National Treasure-designated structures, including the Mikage-d\u014d, Amida-d\u014d, Sh\u014din, Kuro-sh\u014din, Hiyun-kaku, and the North Noh Stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\u25cb Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo-Wakuraijinja)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6.jpeg\")
It is characterized by its historic complex of shrine buildings, which includes two National Treasures and 41 Important Cultural Properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\u25cb T\u014d-ji (Ky\u014d\u014d Gokoku-ji)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/\u6771\u5bfa-2.jpg\")
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\u25cbShimizu Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-8.jpeg\")
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\u25cbDaigoji Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-9.jpeg\")
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\u25cbNinna-ji Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-10.jpeg\")
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Tenryuji Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-11.jpeg\")
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Ryoanji Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-12.jpeg\")
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\u25cbKozan Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-13.jpeg\")
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Byodoin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\u25cb Nijo Castle (Former Imperial Villa Nijo Castle)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-14.jpeg\")
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Enryakuji Temple<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kyotreat.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-15.jpeg\")